Worthy: The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce -- Andrea Wang, Hardcover

Written by the author of the Caldecott and Newbery honor-winning picture book Watercress, and marking the impressive debut of illustrator Youa Vang, here is the true story of a man of indomitable spirit. In the mid-nineteenth century, an impoverished father from Canton, China, sold his young son to an American sea captain, Amos Peck. The boy, dubbed "Joe," worked on the ship for months, not knowing if his fate was to do so forever. Or would he be sold again? When the ship returned to America, Captain Peck brought the young boy to his family, who raised him with the other children. Joe Pierce grew, gave distinguished service in the Union Army, married, had children and ultimately became an American citizen--all at a time when anti-Chinese prejudice was rampant.

Author: Andrea Wang
Publisher: Levine Querido
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 64
Binding Type: Hardcover
Size: 10.75h x 9.75w x 0.38d
ISBN: 9781646145577
Audience: Ages 4-8

About the Author

Andrea Wang is the author of Watercress, which was the recipient of a Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a New England Book Award, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. Her other books include award winners such as The Many Meanings of Meilan, Magic Ramen, and The Nian Monster. Andrea holds an MS in environmental science and an MFA in creative writing for young people. She lives in Colorado with her family.

Youa Vang is a a visual developing artist and designer. He has worked on projects such as Princess and the Frog, Lego, and Phineas and Ferb, but Worthy is his first book for children. He resides in California (maybe with a partner or pet).