Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature
1 appearances
-
Edition 0 (2018) Winner
Kelly Yang
ケリー・ヤン
Kelly Yang
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1984-08-29 （Hong Kong）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Hong Kong → San Francisco (resided) → Los Angeles (resided)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Columnist
- Active Years
- 2010-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Berkeley | — | Political Science | Bachelor's | 1997-2002 | United States |
| Harvard Law School | Law | — | Juris Doctor | 2001-2004 | United States |
University of California, Berkeley
Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor's
Period:
1997-2002
Year of Graduation:
2002
Country:
United States
Entered university at age 13 as an early-admitted student
Harvard Law School
Law
Degree:
Juris Doctor
Period:
2001-2004
Year of Graduation:
2004
Country:
United States
Earned a JD at age 20; chose not to practice law and pursued writing and education
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature | Front Desk | — | Asian/Pacific American Award committee | 受賞 |
| 2018 | Parents’ Choice Gold Medal (Fiction) | Front Desk | — | Parents’ Choice Foundation | 受賞 |
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
2019
Work:
Front Desk
Organization:
Asian/Pacific American Award committee
Result:
受賞
Parents’ Choice Gold Medal (Fiction)
2018
Work:
Front Desk
Organization:
Parents’ Choice Foundation
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Front Desk
2018 Children's literatureA children's novel based on the author's childhood helping her parents run a motel at age ten. It explores immigrant hardship, family responsibility, friendship, and standing up for what is right.
immigrant experiencefamilywork and responsibilitysense of justice
Three Keys
2020 Children's literature (series)A sequel in the 'Front Desk' series, continuing to follow the protagonist, her family, and their community's challenges and growth.
communitycoming of agefairness
Parachutes
2020 Young adultA young adult novel set at an elite private school addressing sexual misconduct, subsequent disclosures, and the struggle against power structures; partly informed by the author's experiences at Harvard Law School.
sexual misconductpower and silencepursuit of justice
Room to Dream
2021 Children's literatureA series sequel focusing on the protagonist's growth between dreams and reality.
dreamsgrowing upfamily
Top Story
2023 Children's literatureOne of the recent installments in the 'Front Desk' series; through events related to newspapers and reporting, it raises questions about truth and responsibility.
reportingtruthresponsibility
Chef’s Secret
2025 Children's / Young adultPublished in 2025 (limited information available). Centers on family and culinary themes.
familyfood cultureidentity
Bibliography
- Front Desk
- Three Keys
- Parachutes
- Room to Dream
- New From Here
- Key Player
- Private Label
- Yes We Will
- Finally Seen
- Top Story
- Finally Heard
- Chef’s Secret
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Accessible, empathetic prose aimed at children and young adultsAddresses real-world social issues while emphasizing hope and agency
- Recurring Motifs
- immigration and identityfamily bondslabor and responsibilityfight for justice
Legacy
Kelly Yang is widely read for stories featuring immigrant children and young people, earning a strong readership in children's and young adult literature. Through educational initiatives (The Kelly Yang Project) and her column writing, she amplifies young voices.
Trivia
- Entered UC Berkeley at age 13
- Graduated from Harvard Law School at age 20 but did not practice law
- Wrote 'Front Desk' based on her own childhood experiences
- Served as a columnist for the South China Morning Post from 2010 to 2018