Tween Reads: Fantasy Novels for AANHPI Heritage Month

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May, here’s a select list of thrilling middle grade novels. The fantasy tales on this list are inspired by folklore, fairy tales, and mythology from different Asian and Pacific regions and cultures. Many of the books are the first in a series.


Updated April 14, 2026
Lewisville Public Library
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Amira & Hamza : the war to save the worlds
Ahmed, Samira (Fiction writer)
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2021! From New York Times and indie bestselling author Samira Ahmed comes a thrilling and magical adventure intertwining Islamic legend and history, perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the Land...
The pearl hunter
Beck, Miya T.
Paper Book
Set in a world inspired by pre-Shogun era Japan, this is a stunning debut fantasy in the vein of Grace Lin about how a young pearl diver goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin sister, who has been stolen by a ghost whale. Kai and Kishi share the same futon, the same face, and the...
Aru Shah and the end of time
Chokshi, Roshani
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan introduces this fantasy adventure by New York Times best-selling author, Roshani Chokshi, inspired by the great epics she grew up on. Named one of 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time by Time magazine! Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a...
The spirit glass
Chokshi, Roshani
Audiobook
Lalani of the distant sea
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Paper Book
"A lush and mysterious fable, full of beauty, full of wonder."--Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly's debut fantasy novel is a gorgeous, literary adventure about bravery, friendship, self-reliance, and the...
Nura and the immortal palace
Khan, M. T.
Paper Book
Aru Shah and the End of Time meets Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away in this mesmerizing portal fantasy that takes readers into the little-known world of Jinn. Nura longs for the simple pleasure of many things--to wear a beautiful red dupatta or to bite into a...
The last fallen star
Kim, Graci
Paper Book
Riley can't wait to see her sister Hattie get initiated into a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations. Although Riley is desperate to follow in Hattie's footsteps, she's a saram - without magic. Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could...
Pahua and the soul stealer
Lee, Lori M.
Paper Book
Pahua is a lonely 11-year-old Hmong girl with the unique ability to see spirits. She spends her summer days babysitting her little brother and playing with a cat spirit no one else can see. One day she accidentally untethers an angry spirit from the haunted bridge in her neighbourhood. When her...
Winston Chu vs. the whimsies
Lee, Stacey
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling author Stacey Lee's modern reimagining of a classic Chinese folktale--replete with magic, boba, and lots of trash talking. Twelve-year-old Winston Chu is supposed to learn impulse control at the cooking academy his mom...
Creatures of the in between
Lin, Cindy
Ebook
Princess Mononoke meets How to Train Your Dragon in this magical middle grade adventure from Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve, featuring a blend of East and Southeast Asian folklore and mythical creatures, and starring a boy with a hero's destiny. Prince Jin is running...
The gate, the girl, and the dragon
Lin, Grace
Ebook
A New York Times and IndieBound bestseller! A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year! A Kirkus Best Book of the Year! A BCCB Best Book of the Year! This gorgeous DELUXE LIMITED EDITION available while supplies last―featuring...
Kiki Kallira breaks a kingdom
Mandanna, Sangu
Paper Book
For fans of the Aru Shah and Serpent's Secret series, this action-packed fantasy-adventure sees a girl's drawings of Indian mythology spring to vivid life--including the evil god who seeks to enter the real world and destroy it. Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she...
Theo Tan and the fox spirit
Sutanto, Jesse Q.
Paper Book
After inheriting a grieving fox spirit, a Chinese American boy must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother's death in Jesse Q Sutanto's magical, action-packed middle grade fantasy, Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit. Theo Tan doesn't want a spirit...
Lia Park and the missing jewel
Yoon, Jenna
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of the Storm Runner and Aru Shah series, this "intriguing, fast-paced" (Kirkus Reviews) middle grade fantasy follows a young girl who must venture to the undersea kingdom of the Dragon King in Korea to save her parents from an evil diviner spirit. Twelve...
The dragon warrior
Zhao, Katie
Paper Book
"An exhilarating tale. . . Readers will be enthralled." --J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner A debut novel inspired by Chinese mythology, this middle-grade fantasy follows an outcast as she embarks on a quest to save the...
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
Zhao, Xiran Jay
Paper Book
Percy Jackson meets Tristan Strong in this hilarious middle grade "edge-of-your-seat adventure" (James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author of City Spies) that follows a young boy as he journeys across China to seal the underworld shut and save the mortal realm. ...

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