Inspired by the 1863 Egg War and the mad rush for murre eggs on the Farallon Islands near San Francisco, Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates is a high-seas adventure story celebrating the courage and history of Chinese immigrants in America through a fascinating yet little-known event during the California Gold Rush era.

Yao Bai is finally old enough to sail with his father and uncle to the Farallon Islands, to gather the precious eggs seabirds lay there. But on their way home they encounter trouble on the sea—pirates! Just when Yao's father and uncle believe their hard day's work would all be gone, Yao comes up with a clever plan. But will it be enough to save all the eggs?