Edited by Ellen Oh, You Are Here: Connecting Flights is a creative collection that beautifully embodies the IB Learner Profile attribute of open-mindedness. This collaborative work by twelve Asian authors invites readers on a journey through twelve interconnected stories of young Asian Americans, each with distinct family dynamics, cultural backgrounds, and personal challenges.

The book artfully highlights the diversity and complexity of Asia, moving beyond the “most known” countries like China, Japan, and Korea to showcase a rich tapestry of experiences from less-represented Asian cultures, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, and many more. Through its multifaceted narratives, it reminds us that while Asians may share common threads, their individual stories and ways of navigating the world are uniquely their own.

What makes this short story collection particularly engaging is its structure: the characters’ stories intertwine, with some appearing in the chapters of others, emphasizing the idea of human connection and interdependence. This approach mirrors the collaborative spirit central to IB education, where students learn to work together and value multiple perspectives to better understand our interconnected world.

Beyond its compelling storytelling, You Are Here fosters meaningful dialogue about identity, cultural diversity, and empathy, while tackling issues such as “racist aggression (micro or macro, well-intentioned or ill-willed)” (Kim, 2023). It challenges biased beliefs, encourages reflection, and inspires readers to embrace the complexity of human experiences—all hallmarks of being open-minded.

Through its lively voices and dynamic perspectives, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of identity and celebrate the shared yet distinct narratives that connect us all.

You Are Here: Connecting Flights 

Written by Linda Sue Park | Erin Entrada Kelly | Grace Lin | Traci Chee | Mike Chen | Meredith Ireland | Mike Jung | Minh Lê | Ellen Oh | Randy Ribay | Christina Soontornvat | Susan Tan; Edited by Ellen Oh

2024, Allida

ISBN: 978-0063239098

You’ve Changed: Fake Accents, Feminism, and Other Comedies from Myanmar by Pyae Moe Thet War

Pyae Moe Thet War’s You’ve Changed is a compelling exploration of identity, cultural dissonance, and personal transformation. Through a series of essays, the author unpacks what it means to navigate multiple cultural expectations, particularly as a Burmese woman grappling with societal norms, diaspora experiences, and the ever-shifting sense of self.

With her sharp wit and unflinching honesty, she challenges the idea of fitting into a single definition of identity, instead embracing the contradictions and complexities that come with it. From language and heritage to beauty standards and belonging, You’ve Changed encourages mature readers to step outside their comfort zones, confront biases, and consider perspectives beyond their own.

This deeply introspective work urges us to listen, learn, and grow through the lens of diverse experiences. It reminds us that change, both internal and external, is not just inevitable but necessary for understanding ourselves and the world around us.

You’ve Changed: Fake Accents, Feminism, and Other Comedies from Myanmar 

Written by Pyae Moe Thet War

2022, Catapult

ISBN: 978-1646221073

While You Are Here: Connecting Flights is for middle graders and above, and You’ve Changed for young adult readers, both books encourage us to see beyond our own experiences, to listen, to reflect, and ultimately, to grow. Being open-minded isn’t just about understanding others—it’s about understanding ourselves in the process.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Kim, Dave. ‘For 12 Young Asian American Travelers, Turbulence Begins at the Airport’. The New York Times, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/books/review/ellen-oh-you-are-here-connecting-flights.html.

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Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian, Founding Chair of the Toucan Award, and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a-kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian

GLLI Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in posts on this site are the individual author’s and are not indicative of the views of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative.