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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Kiki Kallira breaks a kingdom
Mandanna, Sangu
Paper Book
Kiki Kallira is more of a worrier than a warrior - but today she will learn to be a hero. The mythical beasts she loves to draw have come to life, and she is the only one who can defeat them. A middle-grade fantasy inspired by Hindu legends about anxiety, creativity and finding your own...

A fast-paced fantasy adventure inspired by southern Indian folklore. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Anzu and the realm of darkness
Nguyen, Mai K.
Paper Book
5 Worlds meets Spirited Away in this tale of a girl fighting her way back home after getting trapped in the spirit world. Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. Ever since her obaachan died,...

A graphic novel inspired by the traditional Japanese celebration of Obon and other figures from Japanese folklore. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Serwa Boateng's guide to vampire hunting
Brown, Roseanne A.
Paper Book
For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death. That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents,...

Vampires from Ghanaian folklore takes center stage in this Rick Riordan Presents series opener. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The storm runner
Cervantes, Jennifer
Paper Book
Zane would much rather explore the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico than go to school with kids who bully him for his limp. But what Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world, a world he's thrust into with his dog, Rosie, and the new girl at school, Brooks -...

A middle school boy discovers his disability is linked to his heritage as the son of a Mayan god. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The Firebird song
Flores, Arnée
Paper Book
Debut author Arnée Flores spins an exciting and original tale about hope in even the darkest of places, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale. The Kingdom of Lyrica was once warm and thriving, kept safe by the Firebird, whose feather and song was a blessing of peace and...

A fantasy adventure story inspired by the Firebird of Slavic folklore. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Loki : a bad god's guide to being good
Stowell, Louie
Paper Book

Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets the MCU in this hybrid graphic novel chronicling the many indignities the Norse god Loki experiences after being sent to Earth in the body of a young teen boy as punishment for his bad behavior in Asgard. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
Malia Maunakea's thrilling Hawaiian debut-now in paperback! Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu thinks when she listens to her grandmother's folktales about sacred flowers and family guardians....

A Hawaiian girl discovers that her grandmother's stories about the ancient Hawaiian gods are true when she accidentally angers the volcano goddess, Pele. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Like a charm
McNicoll, Elle
Paper Book

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)

Percy Jackson and the lightning thief
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times Bestseller | Now a series on Disney+ 12-year-old Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon in the opener to the hilarious, fast-paced adventure fantasy series for young readers ages 10 and up The paperback edition of the...

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)

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
Zhao, Xiran Jay
Paper Book
'Fast-paced, furiously funny and utterly fantastic.' A.F. Steadman 'Culture and technology clash as Zachary Ying takes adventure to a new level!' Kwame Mbalia Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh in this hilarious, action-packed fantasy adventure. Zachary Ying has never had...

A Chinese American middle schooler must cross the underworld to save the mortal realm in this story featuring figures from Chinese folklore. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Olympians. [1], Zeus : king of the gods
O'Connor, George.
Paper Book
George O'Connor is a Greek mythology buff and a classic superhero comics fan, and he's out to remind us how much our pantheon of superheroes (Superman, Batman, the X-Men, etc) owes to mankind's ORIGINAL superheroes: the Greek pantheon. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson! ...

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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