Freeman Book Awards, 2016-2024
Resources for titles recognized by this award since its inception in 2016 -- identifying quality books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of East and Southeast Asia

- 1,345 Resources including
- 98 Videos
- 71 Book Readings
- 100 Lesson Plans
- List Analysis Report
Showing 1-48 of 121 book results

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
(Commended, 2020)
50+ Resources18 Awards





Thirty Minutes Over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot's World War II Story
by Marc Tyler Nobleman and Melissa Iwai
(Honor, 2018)
30+ Resources6 Awards


A Thousand Beginnings and Endings
by Ellen Oh, Elsie Chapman, Renée Ahdieh, and Sona Charaipotra
(Honor, 2018)
25+ Resources5 Awards

Banned Book Club
by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, and Ko Hyung-Ju
(Commended, 2020)
25+ Resources5 Awards



Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando
by Andrea Wang and Kana Urbanowicz
(Honor, 2019)
25+ Resources3 Awards

Noodles on a Bicycle
by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang
(Children's Commended, 2024)
25+ Resources9 Awards

Up, Up, Ever Up!: Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains
by Anita Yasuda and Yuko Shimizu
(Children's Commended, 2024)
25+ Resources11 Awards

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story
by Tina Cho and Jess X. Snow
(Honor, 2020)
20+ Resources3 Awards

The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field
by Scott Riley, Phùng Nguyên Quang, and Kim Lien
(Winner, 2021)
20+ Resources2 Awards




Pearl
by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie
(Graphic Novels Commended, 2024)
20+ Resources10 Awards


The Other Side of Tomorrow
by Tina Cho and Deb JJ Lee
(Graphic Novels Honor, 2024)
20+ Resources5 Awards

Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea
by Sungju Lee and Susan McClelland
(Winner, 2016)
15+ Resources5 Awards

Are You an Echo?: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko
by Misuzu Kaneko, Toshikado Hajiri, David Jacobson, and Sally Ito
(Honor, 2016)
15+ Resources2 Awards




My Grandfather's Song
by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huy'nh Kim Liên
(Winner, 2023)
15+ Resources3 Awards

The House Before Falling Into the Sea
by Ann Suk Wang and Hanna Cha
(Children's Winner, 2024)
15+ Resources7 Awards

Too Young to Escape: A Vietnamese Girl Waits to Be Reunited with Her Family
by Van Ho and Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
(Honor, 2018)
15+ Resources4 Awards


Yukie's Island: My Family's World War II Story
by Yukie Kimura, Kõdo Kimura, and Steve Sheinkin
(Commended, 2023)
15+ Resources4 Awards

No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan
by Jeff Gottesfeld and Shiella Witanto
(Winner, 2020)
15+ Resources3 Awards

A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story
by Caren Stelson and Akira Kusaka
(Honor, 2020)
15+ Resources2 Awards




Rats to the Rescue: The Unlikely Heroes Making Cambodia Safe
by Scott Riley, Sambat Meas, and Huy Voun Lee
(Children's Honor, 2024)
15+ Resources4 Awards


Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean: Remembering Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong's Work for Sustainable Farming
by Sigrid Schmalzer and Melanie Linden Chan
(Winner, 2018)
15+ Resources3 Awards


The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden
by Heather Smith and Rachel Wada
(Winner, 2019)
15+ Resources6 Awards

Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant
by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung
(Honor, 2023)
15+ Resources6 Awards