What if the legendary queens of Vietnamese history were reborn as modern-day teens in California? In this episode, we chat with author and educator Aimee Phan about her brand new YA fantasy novel, The Lost Queen. Aimee shares how her experience growing up as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees—and the absence of Vietnamese stories in the books she read—inspired her to create stories that center Vietnamese culture, history, and identity. From dragons and time travel to reimagined mythology, Aimee takes us behind the scenes of a novel that’s as empowering as it is imaginative.

We also dive into how The Lost Queen can open up powerful classroom conversations. Aimee reflects on why her students connect so deeply with YA and how fantasy can be a tool for exploring identity, agency, and belonging. If you’re looking to bring more diverse and empowering stories into your teaching, this episode (and this book!) is a must.

Resources:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode262

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