Madeleine Chin has always loved books, but in fifth grade she came across one that she’ll never forget: Front Desk, by Kelly Yang. It was the first book she’d read that focused on an Asian American character. “It made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” she says.
Madeleine wanted other kids to see themselves in books too. So last summer, she launched an initiative called AAPI Stories for Kids. AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander. Through the project, she donates books featuring AAPI characters to schools, libraries, and community groups. The books are written by AAPI authors.
Her local library was one of the first places to receive a donation. Madeleine worked with the librarians to curate books for dedicated AAPI bookshelves late last year. The shelves now display AAPI books year-round—making diverse voices easier for young readers to find.
The teen, who has written two books herself, also runs a nonprofit called Mindful Reading. The organization donates books of all kinds to schools in need. Madeleine plans to create more AAPI book spaces in her community. “Every kid, no matter how old they are, deserves to see themselves in a story,” she says.
—Lisa M. Herrington