Yung Stands Strong is scheduled for release in the fall of 2026. Art © Yukari Mishima.
Ta-da! I’m excited to share the cover for Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience. This is my children’s book about the 1885 expulsion of the Chinese from Eureka, California. The book centers on a real girl named Yung who lived in Eureka’s Chinatown and was the only Chinese student in her one-room school.
The beautiful cover, by Japanese illustrator Yukari Mishima, shows nine-year-old Yung on one of the two ships that relocated 300 Chinese people from Eureka to San Francisco with just 24 hours notice. And the illustration below depicts Yung and her tuxedo cat, Miu Miu, walking to school.
An illustration from Yung Stands Strong shows Chinatown in Eureka, California circa 1885. Art © Yukari Mishima.
Understandably, some people have assumed I am creating the art for this book. But drawing people and buildings is not my forte (or interest). I think Yukari’s watercolor and ink paintings are perfect for this project. Her depictions of facial expressions and body language show great skill and sensitivity, and she has a kid-friendly style.
Funded by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the book is part of the Eureka Chinatown Project, an initiative of Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI). The HAPI team is writing an extensive back section on the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, Eureka’s Chinatown, and Chinese people’s resistance and resilience. The lively book design by Amy Uyeki includes historical maps, old photos, political cartoons and newspaper stories.
Teacher Roxana Stengl reads a draft proof of Yung Stands Strong to her fourth grade class at Alice Birney Elementary School in Eureka, CA in May 2026.
Last week, several members of the book team visited a fourth grade classroom as the teacher read the story to her students. They were the first kids to experience the book.
Having spent six months writing the story, incorporating feedback from a dozen people and going through twelve revisions, I was in suspense. How would my target audience respond?
In addition to the anti-Chinese racism and expulsion, real-life events in the story include the shooting of a White city council member and the attempted hanging of a young Chinese man. Would all of this be too traumatic for the young readers?
I needn’t have worried. The students took everything in stride and their teacher kept them engaged with lots of questions and discussion throughout. The first thing they asked at the end was, “When is the sequel coming out?”
A couple of Hmong children related the story to their families’ forced exile from Laos. Some Mexican kids connected the Chinese New Year altars in the story with their own custom of setting up altars for Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). And many could relate to the experience of being teased or bullied for being different.
Afterwards, one boy came up to me to say, “I loved the book!” I asked what was his favorite part. He replied, “Everything!”
Book author Annette Makino displays a preliminary proof of Yung Stands Strong.
I’m thrilled that the fourth graders enjoyed the story and could relate to it in so many ways. It feels very meaningful to help shed light on this little-known history of discrimination, injustice and resistance—one that is still relevant today.
Yung Stands Strong will be printed by Bug Press in Arcata, California and published by The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt. While some of the art and text is still in progress, we are currently on track for a fall release.
We plan to give copies to Humboldt schools plus a full classroom set to the County Office of Education. The Office of Education will develop a curriculum for teachers along with a short video of the classroom reading. I’ll let you know when the book is available so you can meet Yung and Miu Miu!
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Makino Studios News
“Paper Alchemy” art show at the library: Thirty of my mixed media collages are on view at the Arcata Library in Arcata, CA—but just until noon this Saturday, May 30. This story in the Eureka Times-Standard has more details. If you can’t come in person, you can explore my online gallery.
NEW! Card bundles: By customer request, I’ve created three new card bundles, one for birthdays, one for sympathy and support and one for everyday occasions. At $25, you get six bestselling cards for the price of five. Shop bundles at the bottom of this page of all my card designs.
North Coast Open Studios: Local artists’ studios are open to the public the weekends of June 6-7 and June 13-14. Though I am not a participating artist this year, I will be out visiting other artists during this fun, free event!
Summer retreat: I’ll be on my annual creative retreat on the river June 27-July 4. Orders will not go out that week as I work on haiku and collages for my 2027 calendar of art and haiku. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Obon Festival: Local folks, mark your calendar for this traditional Japanese celebration of our ancestors 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 16 in Arcata’s Creamery District. I’m honored that the posters and t-shirt will feature one of my mixed media collages! More info from HAPI.
Free shipping: Get free US shipping on orders of $35 or more. Enter code FREESHIP35 at checkout.
