Children's Book Suggestions | Mythology & Folklore

Thanks to The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, young readers are obsessed with mythology. This list features some of our favorite fiction books for young readers that incorporate mythological themes. You can view more mythology and folklore-themed fiction in the library catalog.

Our definition of mythology for this list is fairly broad. In addition to ancient polytheistic religions that are no longer widely practiced, we included other ancient religions still being practiced today (like Hinduism and Indigenous religions) as well as folklore and traditional tales passed down through oral storytelling traditions. Fairy tales, including written European folklore popularized by the Grimm brothers and Middle Eastern tales from the 1001 Nights, are covered in our Fairy Tale book lists.

For nonfiction books on mythology and world religions past & present, check out the 290s.

Updated June 6, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Marikit and the ocean of stars
Cruz, Caris Avendaño
Paper Book
A magical middle grade debut, inspired by Filipino folklore, about a ten-year-old girl who embarks on a quest in the world of gods and spirits to save her and her family from a sinister shadow god. Perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and When You Trap a Tiger.<...

A fantasy adventure inspired by Filippino folklore. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The cobra's song
Kelkar, Supriya
Paper Book
From the author of American as Paneer Pie comes an "absorbing" (Kirkus Reviews) middle grade adventure steeped in Indian folklore following a girl who learns how to find her voice and face her fears, perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Amina's Song. Ten-year-old...

A young Hindustani folk singer is haunted by a sinister figure from Indian folklore. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Rea and the blood of the nectar
Doshi, Payal
Paper Book
It all begins on the night Rea turns twelve. After a big fight with her twin brother Rohan on their birthday, Rea's life in the small village of Darjeeling, India, gets turned on its head. It's four in the morning and Rohan is nowhere to be found. It hasn't even been a day and Amma acts like Rohan's...

A girl from Darjeeling ventures into a magical realm in this story inspired by northern Indian folklore. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Pahua and the soul stealer
Lee, Lori M.
Paper Book
"I love the adventures Pahua has in this book. I also love the sense of humor, the clever plotting, and the fantastic cast of characters. But most of all I love Pahua- her courage, her kindness, and her love for family."--NYT best-selling author Rick Riordan Winner...

A young girl discovers she's a shaman warrior in this Rick Riordan Presents story inspired by Hmong mythology. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Like a charm
McNicoll, Elle
Paper Book
After the death of her grandfather, nuerodivergent tween Ramya uncovers a world of mystery and magic--and she's the only one who can see it! From the award-winning author of A Kind of Spark. "Ramya, you have something this city needs. And it's something that's...

A neurodivergent young teen develops the ability to see creatures from folklore and mythology after the death of her beloved grandfather. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The lightning thief
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times Bestseller Percy Jackson and the Olympians series now streaming on Disney+! The paperback edition of the first book in Rick Riordan's thrilling middle grade series, filled with magic, Greek mythology, and plenty of monsters....

The OG mythology-inspired fantasy adventure series! Percy Jackson discovers he's actually the son of a Greek god and is sent to a camp for other half-human demigods. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The labors of Hercules Beal
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill an assignment to perform the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life--and makes discoveries about friendship, community...

An insightful teacher tasks a modern day kid with completing the labors of Hercules in this contemporary fiction story with strong ties to Greek mythology. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Rise of the halfling king
Bowles, David
Paper Book
In this graphic novel series based on ancient Mesoamerican sagas, a magical boy from Maya legend takes on a giant snake, a power-hungry king, and three impossible tests. Sayam has always been different from other kids--he's very short for his age, his best friend is a monkey, and...

A graphic novel fantasy adventure inspired by Mayan mythology from Mexico. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Oh my gods!
Cooke, Stephanie
Paper Book
Oh My Gods!, the first in a new middle grade graphic novel series, reads as if Raina Telgemeier and Rick Riordan teamed up to write a comic, and offers a fresh and funny spin on Greek mythology. When an average girl moves to Mt. Olympus, she discovers her new classmates...

Percy Jackson meets Smile in this graphic novel about a modern middle school girl who move to Mount Olympus and discovers that she and her classmates are the children of Greek gods. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Olympians. king of the gods / 1, Zeus
O'Connor, George
Paper Book
"The generation weaned on the Marvel Universe will find much to love in O'Connor's 12-book series." --New York Times George O'Connor's vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to life in the New York Times Bestselling series Olympians. This fusion of...

The Greek gods get the superhero graphic novel treatment in this series featuring the twelve Olympians. Be sure to check out George O'Connor's new Asgardians series as well! (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)


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