From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement

America in 1982: Japanese car companies are on the rise and believed to be putting U.S. autoworkers out of their jobs. Anti–Asian American sentiment simmers, especially in Detroit. A bar fight turns fatal, leaving a Chinese American man, Vincent Chin, beaten to death at the hands of two white men, autoworker Ronald Ebens and his stepson, Michael Nitz. Paula Yoo has crafted a searing examination of the killing and the trial and verdicts that followed. When Ebens and Nitz pled guilty to manslaughter and received only a $3,000 fine and three years’ probation, the lenient sentence sparked outrage. The protests that followed led to a federal civil rights trial—the first involving a crime against an Asian American—and galvanized what came to be known as the Asian American movement. Extensively researched from court transcripts, contemporary news accounts, and in-person interviews with key participants, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry is a suspenseful, nuanced, and authoritative portrait of a pivotal moment in civil rights history, and a man who became a symbol against hatred and racism.

About the Author :
Paula Yoo is a prolific TV writer/producer, freelance violinist, and author of several books for children. Her young adult nonfiction debut, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry, won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction, was a Finalist for the YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award and the L.A. Times Book Prize, and was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Her most recent book, Rising From the Ashes, won the YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Review :
"A vivid, heartbreaking account of one of the most important moments in Asian American history. I couldn’t put it down." "A tremendous feat of both research and writing—and a major contribution to our inspiring and infuriating American story." "This clear and lucid account, based on in-depth research, superlatively conveys the context and significance of the events.... An accessible and compelling account of a tragedy that resonates through the decades." "Admirably objective.... Yoo discusses the resurgence of anti-Asian attitudes and rhetoric in connection to COVID-19, reinforcing the book’s through line that Chin mustn’t be forgotten." "Yoo skillfully retells the life story of Vincent Chin [and] reminds readers of Chin’s legacy 'to fight back against hate.'" "Suspenseful.... [A] resonant, painstakingly recreated historical account." "Readers will be riveted.... Highly recommended for readers interested in social justice nonfiction such as Chris Crowe's Getting Away with Murder and Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy." "[An] extensive examination.... From a Whisper is arguably the most comprehensive overview of the gruesome events and the aftermath of trials, protests, convictions, reversals and civil suits.... Yoo is determined: "not knowing" is no longer an option." "A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2021" "A Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Book of 2021" "A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021" "A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021" "A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021" "An NPR Best Book of 2021" "A Horn Book Best Book of 2021"