Asian Literature for Kids

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a big, big fan of multicultural fiction. Not only do I get to learn about new cultures, civilizations, but I get to ‘travel’ to new places. Very cool.


I tend to be bias to Asian fiction, but you can’t blame me after living in Asia for 10 years! I was thinking about some of my favorites, while at the same time looking for new stuff that you might have found. So here’s a quick list of good reads, but please add others that you know of in the comments section. I'm always on the hunt for book recommendations!

Here’s some of my top reads that I’ve taken some liberty categorizing.


Historical Fantasy

Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon (YA)- adventure set in China

The Sword that Cut the Burning Grass by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler (YA)- mystery set in Japan

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn (YA)- set in Japan


Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson (MG)- set in China

Historical Fiction

The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson (MG)- set in Japan

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (MG)- set in Korea

Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi (YA)- set in Korea (a must read)

So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins (MG) set in Korea, but from a Japanese POV (great comparison novel to Year of Impossible Goodbyes, but controversial)

Adventure Focused Historicals

Escaping the Tiger by Laura Manivong- (MG) set in Thailand

Sisters of the Sword- by Maya Snow (MG)- set in Japan


The Ancestor Series- by Jeff Stone (MG)- set in China

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (MG)- set in China

Modern Day Fiction

Great Call of China by Cynthea Liu (YA)- set in China

Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell (YA)- set in Southeast Asia

Sea by Heidi Kling (YA)- set in Indonesia (haven’t read this one, but it’s on my to-read list)


Archer’s Quest by Linda Sue Park (MG)- set in the US, but with a character from ancient Korea

Note: The first two pictures were taken in Kyoto, Japan and the last three were taken in China. And I'd like to add, don't be fooled by the impression of peace and tranquility you might feel at looking at the pictures of the Golden Pagoda.

My two boys were very, VERY busy creating havoc by climbing rocks and throwing pebbles into the pond, disrupting the perfect reflection. So while most remember this beautiful setting with serenity, I only remember chasing two little boys and repeatedly apologizing to tourists.