The book writing team for Yung Stands Strong, left to right: Amy Uyeki, Vicki Ozaki, Annette Makino, Alex Service, Sue Lee Mossman, and Sheri Woo. Not pictured: Katie Buesch. CREDIT: Paul W. Blank
TIMES-STANDARD, EUREKA, CA (Oct. 15, 2026) - A Chinese flowerpot donated to Eureka’s Clarke Museum in the 1930s, along with a note from the 81-year old donor, was the starting point for a new children’s book that focuses on a dark chapter in Eureka’s history. Yung Stands Strong: A Story of Expulsion and Resilience tells the tale of nine-year-old Yung, a real girl who was suddenly forced to leave her home when Chinese residents were driven out of Eureka in 1885.
A book reading and panel discussion with the author and members of the book team will take place at Los Bagels, 403 Second Street in Eureka on Saturday, October 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
With a story by Arcata writer and artist Annette Makino and illustrations by Japanese artist Yukari Mishima, the book draws on this brief note by Elizabeth Carr: “Year–1885. One day during the Chinese New Year celebration, little Yung and her two aunts came to the house to call on her teacher Mary Carr and with them they brought this bowl filled with their sacred lilies the Narcissus.”
Building on historical records, this tale follows Yung and her beloved cat, Miu Miu, through the shocking events of the expulsion and their journey to a new home in San Francisco. Along the way, Yung navigates racism and injustice to discover how strong she really is.
“I hope this story of a brave young girl and her tuxedo cat helps readers of all ages to understand what happened here and why it should never happen again, because Yung’s story is still very relevant today,” Makino said.
Following the story, another 20 pages of lively background material covers the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, Eureka’s Chinatown, and the expulsion order that gave Eureka’s roughly 300 Chinese residents just one day to leave. This section was deeply researched and written by members of Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) and local historians Alex Service and Katie Buesch.
“While we regularly give tours of Eureka’s historic Chinatown to adults and high school students, we conceived the book as a way to reach younger audiences with this history,” said HAPI co-founder Amy Uyeki. “The reality is pretty difficult, so we’re using storytelling and art to get the message across.”
Refreshments will be available at the book reading and panel discussion with Makino and members of the book team. For a free tour of historic Chinatown before the reading, meet in front of the Clarke Museum at 2 p.m. that day.
Additional book events include:
A reading and panel discussion of how Yung Stands Strong aims to educate all ages about racism and injustice, part of the Campus and Community Dialogue on Race at Cal Poly Humboldt. “Fighting Erasure with a Children’s Book” takes place on Monday, October 19 from 3 to 4:20 p.m. in Goodwin Forum (Nelson Hall East 102), Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata.
A book signing at Eureka Books, 426 Second Street in Eureka, during Arts Alive on Saturday, November 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The book was made possible by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy. All Humboldt County schools and libraries will receive free copies. A curriculum guide for teachers by the Humboldt County Office of Education is in the works.
The book team consisted of Christina Hsu Accomando, Katie Buesch, Chris Chu, Annette Makino, Sue Lee Mossman, Vicki Ozaki, Jean Pfaelzer, Alex Service, Amy Uyeki, and Sheri Woo. The book is published by The Press at Cal Poly Humboldt and printed by Bug Press in Arcata.
Yung Stands Strong had a limited first run; it can be pre-ordered online now at makinostudios.com, to ship the first week of November. It will also be available in local stores then. The book is 50 pages, 11 x 8.5, softbound, in full color. The cost is $20.
HAPI is a DreamMaker Project of the Ink People Center for the Arts and Culture. Its mission is to build and empower the community by amplifying diverse voices and perspectives for a more engaged and inclusive future.