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 Lewisville Public Library
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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.


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Tessa Miyata is no hero
Abe, Julie
Paper Book
This thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology follows Tessa after she breaks a precious family heirloom, sending her on a wild adventure to save herself, her family--and all of Tokyo. Tessa Miyata has never fit in....
A brush with magic
Ahn, Flora
Paper Book
A heartfelt, magical middle grade adventure-inspired by Korean folklore and set in modern-day Seoul-about sisterhood and belonging, perfect for fans of Kelly Yang and Janae Marks. What if an ancient ink brush, oceans away in Korea, could unlock long-buried family secrets? ...
Storm singer
Chadda, Sarwat
Paper Book
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief meets One Thousand and One Nights in this "action-packed, fantastically imaginative" (BCCB) middle grade fantasy from Rick Riordan Presents author Sarwat Chadda about a girl with the magical power to control the elements with her song. ...
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
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents a standalone quest adventure based on Filipino mythology by Roshani Chokshi, author of the best-selling Aru Shah series. Corazon yearns to finally start training as a babaylan (a mystical healer and spirit guide) under her powerful...
The chaos monster
DasGupta, Sayantani
Paper Book
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING, AND IT'S UP TO TWINS KIYA AND KINJAL TO SAVE IT ALL Ten-year-old Kinjal knows something strange is going on. But he does not expect his dog, Thums-up, to disappear before his eyes in the middle of the night! Even stranger, two enormous flying horses...
The crossbow of destiny
Hoàng, Brandon
Paper Book
Author Brandon Hoang takes readers on a high-stakes adventure through Vietnam in search of an ancient magical crossbow in this debut middle-grade fantasy that Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender calls "a must-read"! When Vietnamese American Freddie Lo...
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...
The last Rhee witch
Lee-Yun, Jenna
Paper Book
A 2025 Children's Book Council Favorites Award Winner in three categories: Middle-Grade, Teacher, & Librarian! For fans of The Last Fallen Star, Witchlings, and Ghost Squad, a heartfelt middle grade debut where Korean folklore is all too real and summer...
The spindle of fate
Lim, Aimee
Paper Book
When Evie Mei discovers that her recently passed mother was the head of a guild of magical weavers, she enters the Chinese netherworld to try and bring her back in this middle-grade debut. AN EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE Twelve-year-old Evie Mei Huang...
The gate, the girl, and the dragon
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
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! From award-winning and bestselling author...
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...
Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
"Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn't been done before." -Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney's Princess Moana Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part...
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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