Seen!

The Story of Corky Lee and His Photographs of Asian America

De: Julie Leung

A picture book biography of beloved Chinese American photographer Corky Lee, written by APALA-award winner Julie Leung.

In the 1960s, young Chinese American Corky Lee flips through an encyclopedia and learns about the Transcontinental Railroad and the Chinese migrant workers who helped build it. But in the group photo celebrating the completion of the work, there’s not a single Chinese face to be found. This starts his journey as a photographer, determined to capture the missing voices and faces during protests and festivals, strikes and parades.

Armed with a camera, Corky Lee documents the moments, big and small, that help Asian America be seen. This picture book biography features some of his most well-known photographs, including a reenactment of the completion of the transcontinental railroad featuring descendants of Chinese railroad workers, and his quieter portraits of everyday Americans.