Books About Asia · 827 titles considered

The Best Asia Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about asia? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Asia

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Orange for the Sunsets

By Tina Athaide

Two friends face a regime's ultimatum, testing their bond and redefining home.

336 pages· 49,862 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 962 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: In Uganda under Amin's rule, Asha and Yesofu's friendship transcends cultural divides. But when Indians are ordered to leave, their world shatters. As tensions rise and soldiers patrol, Asha clings to the familiar, while Yesofu is torn between loyalty and a hopeful future. With their friendship on the line, can they find the courage to let go?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2019

They Called Us Enemy

By George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker (Illustrator)

A boy's childhood unfolds in WWII American camps, questioning identity and resilience.

204 pages· 12,726 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 56,895 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: George Takei's childhood is upended when his family is forced into WWII American camps. As a young boy, he navigates the harsh realities of life behind barbed wire, grappling with questions of identity and justice. His mother's sacrifices and father's unwavering belief in democracy shape his future. How does one find hope in a world of legalized racism? This graphic memoir explores the courage and resilience needed to redefine what it means to be American. Join Takei on a journey through history that challenges the very essence of freedom and belonging.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2019

Patron Saints of Nothing

By Randy Ribay

A teen seeks the truth behind his cousin's murder in a war-torn land.

352 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 20,954 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Jay Reguero's plans for a carefree senior year shatter when he learns of his cousin Jun's murder in the Philippines. Determined to uncover the truth, Jay embarks on a journey that forces him to confront family secrets and his own role in the tragedy. As he delves deeper, Jay must navigate the dangerous waters of a country embroiled in a brutal war on drugs, all while grappling with his identity and the bonds of faith and family. Will he find the answers he seeks, or will the truth prove too devastating?

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2021

Iron Widow

By Xiran Jay Zhao · Book #1 in the Iron Widow series

A girl defies a deadly system, seeking revenge and power in a world of giant robots.

394 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 113,710 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Zetian, a determined 18-year-old, becomes a concubine-pilot to avenge her sister's death. Unexpectedly, she kills her partner through their psychic link, earning the title Iron Widow. Paired with the formidable Li Shimin, Zetian must navigate a treacherous world where girls are sacrificed to power mecha. As she battles for survival, she seeks to unravel the misogynistic pilot system and save future girls from the same fate. Will Zetian's newfound power be enough to change a world that fears her strength?

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

Any Day with You

By Mae Respicio

A girl uses filmmaking to keep her great-grandfather from leaving for the Philippines.

216 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 563 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Kaia, a creative young filmmaker in California, faces a heart-wrenching challenge: her beloved great-grandfather, Tatang, plans to return to the Philippines. Determined to keep him close, Kaia enters a filmmaking contest, crafting a movie inspired by his cherished Filipino folktales. As she and her friends dive into the world of special effects and storytelling, Kaia hopes their film will be enough to convince Tatang to stay. Will her creative vision be powerful enough to change his mind, or will she have to say goodbye to the man who brings magic to her life?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

The Bridge Home

By Padma Venkatraman

Homeless kids find hope and freedom, but illness threatens their fragile world.

208 pages· 34,537 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 11,969 ratings

$16.99

Summary: In the bustling streets of Chennai, runaway sisters Viji and Rukku find refuge with two boys under an abandoned bridge. As they form a makeshift family, they navigate the harsh realities of survival. But when illness strikes, Viji faces a heart-wrenching choice: seek help from strangers or protect their hard-won independence. Can they hold onto hope in a world that seems so unforgiving?

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

By Grace Lin · Book #1 in the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon series

A girl seeks the Old Man on the Moon to change her family's fortune.

278 pages· 42,343 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 55,415 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In a valley where hope is scarce, young Minli embarks on a daring quest to find the Old Man on the Moon, seeking answers to alter her family's fate. Guided by folktales and joined by a flightless dragon, she encounters magical beings and faces challenges that test her courage and faith. Will Minli's journey bring prosperity to her home, or will the secrets of the moon remain hidden? Discover a world where adventure and folklore intertwine in a tale of friendship and destiny.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Night Diary

By Veera Hiranandani

A young girl navigates a divided land, seeking identity and hope amidst India's partition.

Newbery Honor (2019)

304 pages· 50,124 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 21,183 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1947, as India splits into two nations, twelve-year-old Nisha, half-Hindu and half-Muslim, becomes a refugee. Her family flees their home in Pakistan, embarking on a perilous journey to find safety. Through letters to her deceased mother, Nisha grapples with her fractured identity and the chaos around her. Can she find a place to belong in a world torn apart? The Night Diary is a poignant tale of resilience and the search for home in a divided land.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2017

Mochi Queen

By Debbi Michiko Florence, Elizabet Vukovic (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Jasmine Toguchi series

Jasmine defies tradition to pound mochi before her sister. Can she succeed?

128 pages· 10,033 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,173 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is determined to do something special before her sister. As her family prepares for New Year's, Jasmine plans to break tradition by pounding mochi rice with the men. But the task is harder than it seems, and it's usually reserved for boys. Can Jasmine prove herself and make her mark before the celebration begins?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

When You Trap a Tiger

By Tae Keller

A girl must decide: make a deal with a magical tiger or risk losing her grandmother.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Finalist (2020)Newbery Medal (2021)

297 pages· 53,745 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 20,930 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Lily's world changes when a magical tiger from her grandmother's Korean folktales appears, demanding the return of a stolen treasure. In exchange, her grandmother's health hangs in the balance. With her sister and friend Ricky, Lily must navigate this mystical challenge, uncover family secrets, and find her courage. Will she risk everything for a deal that might not be what it seems? Dive into a tale where folklore and reality intertwine, and the power of stories could be the key to saving her family.

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