Influential Asians

A child of Japan's post-war baby boom, Haruki Murakami grew up-much to the chagrin of his parents-immersed in Western culture. The unhappy and unmotivated student didn't begin writing until he was twenty-nine years old. Through engaging narrative, full-color photos, and thoughtful direct quotations, readers will be inspired by the life story of this celebrated novelist, whose works have been translated into more than fifty languages.

Ichiro Suzuki has had a storied baseball career in Japan and the United States. Since signed to the major leagues in 2001, the right fielder has racked up batting records for the Yankees, Mariners, and Marlins. Through fascinating details about his personal and professional life, full-color photos, and direct quotations, baseball fans and report writers will be inspired by this biography of a top player driven by a strong work ethic and devotion to charity.

Born to wealthy and accomplished Chinese immigrants, Vera Wang was given nearly every opportunity in life. But when the budding skater failed to realize her dream of making the US Olympic team, she turned to a career in fashion. Wang has since become one of the world's most accomplished fashion designers, creating wedding gowns for celebrities and figure skating costumes for gold medal winners. Riveting text, full-color photos, and inspirational direct quotations will make it clear to readers exactly why Vera Wang is an influential Asian.

The famed Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma was a music prodigy, performing for paying audiences at the tender age of five. Ma has built a career on the exploration of many types of music and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Through engaging narrative, full-color photos, and thoughtful direct quotations, readers of this biography will be inspired by Ma's never-ending drive to stretch the boundaries of his creativity.

When she was just twenty-one, Maya Lin won a competition to design a memorial to US Vietnam veterans. Her winning design provoked impassioned reactions from politicians, veterans, and the general public. Through fascinating details about her personal and professional life, full-color photos, and inspiring quotations, students will learn how this daughter of Chinese immigrants persevered through the controversy until her vision was realized, and how the experience shaped the rest of her artistic and design career.

Margaret Cho is known for her take-no-prisoners approach to comedy. The daughter of Korean immigrants, Cho experienced difficult teen years which led her to seek solace in the comedy clubs of her native San Francisco. Teeming with full-color photos and direct quotations, his fascinating biography tells Cho's story through the lens of what it means to be Korean in America.