Graphic novel for young readers features FilAm history from the 1700s to today
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Third State Books have released Fighting to Belong! Volume III, the final installment of a three-part graphic novel series that brings to life the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history that is largely absent from textbooks and classrooms.
Written by bestselling comics writer Amy Chu (Wonder Woman, Deadpool) and Alexander Chang, and illustrated by Louie Chin (Bodega Cat), Volume III follows middle school protagonists as they encounter pivotal moments from 1970 to today—from the Vietnam War to the targeting of South Asian communities after 9/11, to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book is available now in hardcover, paperback, and digital formats at thirdstatebooks.com and other major retailers.
“American history cannot be told fully without AAPI history. Yet TAAF’s 2026 STAATUS Index found more than half of U.S. adults cannot name a single significant moment in Asian American history,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF.“Fighting to Belong! captures the experiences of our community in a way that sparks curiosity, connection, and reflection among students in the classroom and beyond. We’re honored to continue our partnership with Third State Books, The Asian American Education Project, and LAAUNCH to ensure this series finds a permanent home in schools and libraries across the country, so that future generations can see themselves in the story of our nation.”
“Graphic novels are a powerful medium for reaching young people, and Amy, Alexander, and Louie have managed to turn overlooked AAPI history into an immersive story that young readers can’t put down,” said Stephanie Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of Third State Books. “As the first general interest publisher dedicated exclusively to uplifting AAPI voices and stories, we’re proud to release the highly anticipated finale to the Fighting to Belong! series and look forward to bringing Volume III to readers everywhere.”
Fighting to Belong is an award-winning graphic novel series that brings readers from the arrival of AAPIs in America in the 1700s to today. Volume I focuses on key moments in the 1700s and 1800s beginning with the arrival of ‘Manilamen’ in New Orleans, and Volume II immerses readers in the events of the 20th century, from the Philippine-American War to Japanese American incarceration to the birth of the modern civil rights movement. Volume III‘s powerful storytelling and illustration capture both the injustices and resistance of AAPI communities from 1970 to the present, featuring the stories of Vincent Chin, Balbir Singh Sodhi, Joseph Ileto, and the courage of Vietnamese refugee families and Filipino American nurses risking their lives during the pandemic.
The series also comes with a robust curriculum guide from The Asian American Education Project to support educators in the classroom. To further its commitment to supporting the teaching and learning of AAPI history, TAAF has also continued to expand its AAPI History Hub (aapihistoryhub.org), a first-of-its-kind digital platform for K-12 educators that provides access to over 400 classroom-ready lesson plans, multimedia, and other learning materials; an interactive map tracking state-level policies and standards for AAPI and Ethnic Studies education; and a family corner with a curated selection of books, films, and historic sites. The AAPI History Hub reflects TAAF’s commitment to building comprehensive, accessible resources that help educators teach the full story of American history and foster belonging for all students.
