The final installment takes readers from the Vietnam War to the present day, exploring pivotal moments that continue to shape America.
Today, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Third State Books 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
“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 IIIto readers everywhere.”
Fighting to Belongis 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 IIimmerses 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.
About The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
TAAF serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AAPI communities by building safety and economic prosperity in cities, advocating for the teaching of AAPI history in classrooms, advancing decision makers and creatives in Hollywood and journalism, ensuring that we are represented across all levels of leadership, and conducting research to inform our communities. Through innovative programs, groundbreaking research, and cross-sector partnerships, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AAPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org or follow @TAAForg on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Facebook or TikTok.
Third State Books is the first general-interest publishing house that focuses solely on bringing AAPI voices, perspectives, and issues to audiences who cherish them. Through fiction and nonfiction, for adults and children, it strives to publish stories that more fully represent the total Asian American experience. Its name, “Third State,” refers to the unique experience of being a bridge between cultures as Asian Americans, who proudly occupy a distinctive space and identity all their own. For additional information, please visitthirdstatebooks.com and follow @thirdstatebooks onInstagram.
