Author An Na Talks about the Fusion Stories Web Site

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Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 4/24/2008 2:10:00 PM

As part of May’s Asian Pacific Heritage Month, 10 Asian authors have banded together to create Fusion Stories, a Web site that offers teens contemporary novels that move beyond traditional tales set in Asia or stories about coming to America for the first time. The Asian authors involved with this project range from brother and sister authors Paula and David Yoo, to Readergirlz creator Justina Chen Headley.

SLJ spoke to Printz Award-winning author, An Na (A Step From Heaven, Front Street, 2001), about her involvement with Fusion Stories and her new book, The Fold (Putnam, 2008).

Tell me about Fusion Storiesand how it relates to Asian Pacific Heritage Month.
Fusion Stories was the brainchild of a bunch of APA (Asian Pacific American) writers like Paula Yoo, Grace Lee, Mitali Perkins, Joyce Lee Wong, and many others. They invited me to join, and I was honored to accept. Fusion Stories serves as a helpful resource for parents, educators, and young readers. The Web site is a way for us to connect with a wider audience and raise awareness about Asian American History Month. Sadly, very little is done in schools to talk about the history of Asian Americans in the United States. And now, more than ever, APA writers and their stories are getting published!! It's really something to say that I belong in such a fabulous group.

Did you ever celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month as a kid?
No. Never

Is being an author of teen novels an acceptable career path in a Korean family?
Well, let's just say that I have an MFA and if nothing else, I can always teach. My parents are big believers in having something you can fall back on or at least [use to] make a living for yourself while trying to pursue your art. Writing was never in my realm of career choices when I was growing up simply because my parents, being immigrants, wanted me to have a safe and secure job. Writing or any type of artistic career just wasn't an option. I think nowadays, as more and more APA writers, artists, dancers, entertainers gain visibility, these types of paths seem more possible to young adults.

You have said that as a child, books were your "cultural teachers." Do you think your books are "cultural teachers" to your non-Asian readers?
My stories give a glimpse of what it might be like to be immigrants, and specifically a Korean immigrant. I don't know that they are teachers, but rather, they might offer a sense that we all struggle with identity, acceptance, and love. That struggle takes on a different shade than say a non-Asian experience, but the emotions and issues probably remain true across colors and economics. It's always a journey to find your voice. I am just offering one perspective. I would hope that non-Asian readers would want to pick up other books from other cultures just for the adventure of being immersed in an unfamiliar world.

What impact has winning the Printz Award and being a finalist for the National Book Award for A Step from Heaven had on your career?
It definitely gave me more recognition and freedom in terms of what I could write, but it's still a struggle to reach a broader audience. When my book won the Printz Award, it was not well known. Even today people recognize the Newbery, but it still takes some explaining for the Printz. The award for Step was such a surprise and honor, but it certainly set the bar high, and I don't know that I'll ever be able to reach that mark again. For my own sanity, I try and focus on creating a good story and improving my skills as a writer.

Your new book, The Fold, deals with teen plastic surgery and also of ethnic identity. Did you or any of your friends consider such surgery?
I never did because I'm a huge chicken when it comes to any bodily pain. I have no earrings or tattoos. I don't know anyone who would go through with plastic surgery, but I just sat on a panel recently with two Miss Koreas and they both had considered it.

Is it fair to call Asians the "silent minority" in American society?
I don't think of us as the silent minority. I think we are as vocal as any other under-served and under-represented community in the U.S. But I also understand what you mean. I think some of that is cultural. East Asians are brought up to respect authority and their elders. However, to lump all Asians into one category is just ridiculous. Asia is huge. There is such a diversity of languages, cultures, and religions. To mobilize under one banner is quite an undertaking, and the history of APAs in the U.S. is very different from the Latinos, African Americans or Native Americans.

Do you think you will ever write a non-Asian protagonist?
Yes. I'm working on that right now!

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