Dispute Arises Over ‘No-No Boy,’ a Classic of Asian-American Literature With a Complex History

John Okada’s 1957 novel about a Japanese-American draft resister has been republished by Penguin Classics, raising questions over its ownership.

“I worked harder at getting this book published than getting my own books published,” said Shawn Wong, a University of Washington professor who helped resurrect “No-No Boy” in the 1970s.

Shawn Wong holds an original 1957 copy of “No-No Boy,” right, atop the edition that he helped republish.