Twelve linked short stories center on East and Southeast Asian American children and teens stranded at a Chicago airport on a stormy, flight-delayed day. Eleven of the 12 are travelers; one finds himself at work with his mom when childcare arrangements fall through. Each story has a vivid sense of place and conveys particulars of both identity and circumstance, grounding readers in its protagonist’s thoughts and feelings about what brought them there, who they are (or aren’t) with, and where they are headed and why. Whether in the midst of a journey across the country or around the world, or making a forbidden, heroic foray from one terminal to another, these children and teens are already navigating the unexpected brought on by flight delays when they each encounter one or more incidents of anti-Asian racism. Some of what they experience is overtly racist, but some is more subtle, and part of the power of this collection is in illuminating what too often goes unseen by non-Asians. But there is nothing didactic in these lively stories. The racism is achingly believable, often coming seemingly out of the blue and revealing beliefs and ideas that too often go unchallenged. At the same time, while an unsettling part of the landscape these children and teens must navigate, these upsetting moments punctuate but do not define their experiences. Each story turns as their protagonist finds insight, resilience, resolve, or unexpected, welcome solidarity. (Ages 9-13)

A powerful and engaging exploration of contemporary Asian American identity through interwoven stories set in a teeming Chicago airport, written by award-winning and bestselling East and Southeast Asian American authors including Linda Sue Park, Grace Lin, Erin Entrada Kelly, Traci Chee, and Ellen Oh. Flying Lessons meets Black Boy Joy. 

***Six Starred Reviews!***

“Reminds us that a more functional, less ailing America requires not just the courage to speak but the courage to listen.”—New York Times Book Review

“Not only important, but essential.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review

An incident at a TSA security check point sows chaos and rumors, creating a chain of events that impacts twelve young Asian Americans in a crowded and restless airport. As their disrupted journeys crisscross and collide, they encounter fellow travelers—some helpful, some hostile—as they discover the challenges of friendship, the power of courage, the importance of the right word at the right time, and the unexpected significance of a blue Stratocaster electric guitar.  

Twelve powerhouse Asian American authors explore themes of identity and belonging in the entwined experiences of young people whose family roots may extend to East and Southeast Asia, but who are themselves distinctly American. 

Written by Linda Sue Park, Erin Entrada Kelly, Grace Lin, Traci Chee, Mike Chen, Meredith Ireland, Mike Jung, Minh Lê, Ellen Oh, Randy Ribay, Christina Soontornvat, and Susan Tan, and edited by Ellen Oh.