Hmong-American Author Encourages Maple Grove Students to Share Their Own Stories

Hmong-American Author Kao Kalia Yang visited Weaver Lake Elementary in Maple Grove on Friday to kick off a Read-a-Thon event. Yang has written several books, many of which tell the story of her life and culture. In October, Kalia Yang released her first picture book called “A Map Into the World.” Yang read her book to students and talked about the importance of telling their own stories. 

“The truth is each and every single one of us, we will build a part of the world,” Yang said. “It’s our ability to share those worlds that ultimately determine our legacy. I want those kids to see that, that each and every single one of them are makers of history. That they will be the change that we all have been waiting for.”

The Read-a-Thon event is a new fundraising activity to encourage kids to read. Students will ask for monetary donations by making a pledge to read 20 minutes a day. Funds collected will go toward school programs. 

Maple Grove