In My First Kiss by Lian Low we have the theme of curiosity, sexuality, connection, freedom, vulnerability, discovery and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by Low herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Low may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Low spent her first fourteen years of her life […]

In Destiny by Shalini Akhil we have the theme of connection, belonging, identity, culture, tradition, desire and change. Narrated in the first person by Akhil herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Akhil may be exploring the theme of connection. Akhil has a fondness for Wonder Woman or more importantly the […]

In Hot and Spicy by Oliver Phommavanh we have the theme of curiosity, connection, cunning, embarrassment, tradition, culture, identity and failure. Narrated in the first person by a young Year 6 boy called Albert Yip. The reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Phommavanh may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Albert’s parents […]

In Hanoi and Other Homes by Sim Shen we have the theme of memories, belonging, connection, identity, change, acceptance and culture. Narrated in the first person by Shen himself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Shen may be exploring the theme of memories. Shen can recall the last time he visited […]

In Are You Different by Mia Francis we have the theme of adoption, connection, culture, racism and freedom. Narrated in the first person by Francis herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Francis may be exploring the theme of adoption. Francis adopts Ricky from an orphanage in Manila. It is clear […]

In Baked Beans and Burnt Toast by Jacqui Larkin we have the theme of identity, expression, change, connection, heritage and memories. Narrated in the first person by Larkin herself it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Larkin may be exploring the theme of identity. Larkin though of Chinese origin does not […]

In The Relative Advantages of Learning My Language by Amy Choi we have the theme of kindness, connection, loss, identity, maturity, guilt and responsibility. Narrated in the first person by Choi herself it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Choi may be exploring the theme of kindness or rather […]

In A Call to Arms by Michelle Law we have the theme of embarrassment, shame, identity, belonging, acceptance and coming of age. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed female narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Law may be exploring the theme of embarrassment. The fact that the narrator […]

In The Face in the Mirror by Blossom Beeby we have the theme of curiosity, identity, shame and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by Beeby herself it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Beeby may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Beeby stands out because she is Asian […]

In Five Ways to Disappoint Your Vietnamese Mother by Diana Nguyen we have the theme of disappointment, happiness, independence, freedom, control, change and pride. Narrated in the first person by Nguyen herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Nguyen is exploring the theme of disappointment. Nguyen’s mother is disappointed that her […]

In Chinese Dancing, Bendigo Style by Joo-Inn Chew we have the theme of belonging, identity, shame, confidence, acceptance, happiness and pride. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed young girl the reader realizes after reading the story that Chew may be exploring the theme of belonging. The narrator wants to belong but feels as […]

In Perfect Chinese Children by Vanessa Woods we have the theme of shame, struggle, pride, happiness, hope, sacrifice and love. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed ten year old girl the reader realizes after reading the story that Woods may be exploring the theme of shame. The narrator’s mother feels shame over the […]

In Take Me Away, Please by Lily Chan we have the theme of escape, conflict, prejudice, narrow-mindedness, tradition, culture and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by Chan herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Chan may be exploring the theme of escape. Chan longs to do something other than helping […]

In Pigs from Home by Hop Dac we have the theme of tradition, culture, acceptance and connection. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Dac may be exploring the theme of tradition. Despite living in Australia the narrator and his family carry on the traditions […]

In The Beat of a Different Drum by Simon Tong we have the theme of language, frustration, struggle, connection and escape. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed male narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Tong may be exploring the theme of language. The narrator’s first language is Cantonese and he […]

In Wei-Lei and Me by Aditi Gouvernel we have the theme of racism, bullying, acceptance, appearance, aspirations, friendship and freedom. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gouvernel may be exploring the theme of racism and bullying. There is no doubt that Barry […]

In Papa Bear by Chin Shen we have the theme of memories, childhood, belonging, rebellion, acceptance and pride. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Shen may be exploring the theme of memories. The narrator has been told by their parents of the […]

In Family Life by Diem Vo we have the theme of prosperity, family, connection, conflict, tradition and community. Narrated in the first person by Vo herself the reader realizes after reading the story that Vo may be exploring the theme of prosperity. Vo’s family come from Vietnam and when they first came to Australia they […]

In Sticks and Stones and Such-like by Sunil Badami we have the theme of identity, confusion, racism, heritage, innocence, pride, belonging and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by Badami himself the reader realizes after reading the story that Badami may be exploring the theme of identity. Badami, when he was growing up in Australia, […]

In The Asian Disease by Simone Lazaroo we have the theme of struggle, suspicion, racism, discrimination, fear, acceptance, confusion and pride. Narrated in the first person by a woman called Miss Nazario the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Lazaroo may be exploring the theme of struggle. Emanuel is suffering the later […]