Middle Grade Books Set in Asian Countries (Japan, China, Mongolia, Korea, and More)

Are your kids looking for a good chapter book set in an Asian country? My daughter wanted to read a middle grade book set in a different country so I’m making new book middle grade lists. This first one is books that take place in Asia, countries including China, Mongolia, Nepal, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.

Not all Asian countries are represented here. I’ll continue to add to this list as I learn of new books. Please share any you know and recommend!

(I’ve made a separate book list for south & southeast Asian countries like Pakistan and India.)

Picture Book Set in Japan.

Picture Books Set in China.

But first, you might want to explore this READ AROUND THE WORLD Challenge.

Middle Grade Books Set in Asian Countries

My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun
CHINA
Four sweet stories of Yu’er and her grandpa show their warm bond and Yu’er’s adventures around their Beijing neighborhood. The first story is about Yu’er’s desire to compete in the Special Olympics. Other stories include defending herself from bullies with the help of a new friend as well as a magical old mailbox that transports Yu’er through time. This is a beautifully illustrated book of stories that feels nostalgic and heartwarming.

Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier by Ying Chang Compestine and Vinson Compestine
CHINA
If your kids aren’t interested in Chinese history, they will be after reading this novel. Ming lives in rural communist China with his father, who finds artifacts for the museum. A discovered terra-cotta soldier who comes to life and befriends Ming. They must work together to protect the soldiers and Emperor Qin’s tomb. I like how the authors wove in historical photos and information. It sounds like a silly premise for a story but it worked — and was very good.

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang (ages 11+)
CHINA
Recognized for excellence in writing, this true story of 12-year-old Ji-li’s life in the 1960s shows readers the personal destruction that China’s leader, Mao Ze-dong, inflicted on families with his Cultural Revolution. Ji-li believed in China’s Communist party until her family was persecuted and her father imprisoned. She struggles to make sense of her new reality. Soon, she’ll be forced to choose between her family and her country.

Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki (ages 9 – 12)
JAPAN
An important, multi-layered story of a Japanese girl’s understanding of Hiroshima, grief, family, and the healing power of sharing stories. When Nozomi’s art teacher, Mr. Yoshioka, leaves the school due to sickness, she and her friends plan a festival in his honor called “Hiroshima: Then and Now.” They interview people close to them about their experiences during the bombing. As the kids learn about their family and neighbors’ lives and deaths, their stories impact the way they view life.

Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth (ages 9 – 12)
TIBET
When a monk sets himself on fire to protest the Chinese occupation of his country, the Wujing Soldiers take Tash’s parents away. Tash and her friend Sam decide it’s safer to leave for India to find the Dali Lama where they’ll share her father’s rebel information. They sneak out of Tibet over the harrowing mountain pass, hiding from soldiers and even locals who report to soldiers.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori Lee
Pahua has always seen spirits, including her best friend who is a cat spirit she names Miv. When she accidentally releases an angry bridge spirit who steals her little brother Matt’s soul, she knows she must fix what she did or Matt will die. She travels to spirit realms to find Matt and the angry spirit along with Miv and an irritable shaman-in-training girl who helps guide them and saves her more than once. Journeying to save her brother involves a lot of almost-dying, cool Hmong mythology world-building, and the chance to grow into herself. I loved Pahua’s character–her devotion to her brother, her kindness and compassion, and her bravery. Excellent.

Sherlock Sam and the Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning by A.J. Low (ages 7 – 10)
SINGAPORE
Set in Singapore, Sherlock Sam and his friends use their brains to solve mysteries. In this case, they’re determined to discover the cause of the ghostly sounds from an abandoned military fort. Could it be a ghost? Their adventures are funny and exciting, this is a well-written chapter book in a new series. (See also: Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong.)

The Other Side of Tomorrow written by Tina Cho, illustrated by Deb JJ Lee
REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL
NORTH KOREA / CHINA
You’ll be moved by the courage the two main characters show in the face of their difficult daily lives in North Korea who make harrowing escapes to China, imprisonment, another escape to Thailand, more hiding, and eventual escape to the U.S. despite danger chasing them every step of the way. The writing is extraordinary because it’s in verse — poetic, emotional, and surprising in a graphic novel. The graphic illustrations are stunning. This is such an important story. You’ll finish it and realize that this level of hardship is unlike anything we face in a first-world country.

A Brush with Magic written by Flora Ahn
review written by Leah Pellegrini
KOREA
Yumi and her older sister, Minji, travel alone to Seoul to visit their grandfather. Although Yumi enjoys painting with her grandfather and listening to his stories, she is hurt that her sister doesn’t want to hang out with her. . .at all. Then Yumi discovers a magic paintbrush that unleashes a Dokkaebi, a powerful magical creature who can bring paintings to life in increasingly mischievous ways. What follows is an adventurous and kind-hearted story that explores friendship and family, as well as Yumi’s journey to understanding what really matters to her and what kind of person she wants to be. A great read full of Korean culture, perfect for fans of When You Trap a Tiger!

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee (ages 9 – 12)
NORTH KOREA
Based on her grandmother’s escape from North Korea, this historical fiction story is a powerful read that captures the fearful culture of North Korea, the marginalization of females, and the bond between siblings. As war erupts between North and South Korea, Sora and her family decide to flee from North Korea while they still have a chance. But she and her little brother are separated from their family. As they continue south, they experience death, kidnapping, starvation, killings, winter’s brutal cold with the Red Army marching right behind them. Even worse, her brother, Youngsoo, is getting sicker and sicker. The siblings’ journey is interspersed with memories of her childhood including her mother’s disdain and criticism and how she was forced to leave school to care for her little brothers. Amazingly, the two make it to the south, where they’re reunited with their family, but it’s a bittersweet ending.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (ages 8 – 12)
KOREA
A Newbery medal winner! The setting is 12-century Korea. Orphaned and homeless, 13-year-old Tree-ear years to become a potter like Min. But when Min takes Tree-ear as his helper, Tree-ear is discouraged at his master’s temper and the back-breaking work. He decides he’ll prove his worthiness by getting a royal commission. He’ll make a journey filled with challenges and arrive at his destination with only a single shard to showcase Min’s pottery.

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park (ages 8 – 12)
KOREA
In a time when Korea is occupied by Japan, the Korean language, their folktales, all Korean culture is forbidden. World War II arrives, along with the expectation that Koreans will fight for Japan. Sun-hee is shocked that her brother, Tae-yul, enlists to misdirect the soldier’s interest in his uncle. The plot is filled with themes of injustice, resistance, courage, and family during a difficult historical time period of occupation.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
KOREA
Lily, her sister, and their mother move in with her Halmoni, but now her grandmother is sick at night and reveals to Lily that she stole stories from the tigers and the tigers are hunting her to get them back. Of course, Lily tries to make a deal with the tiger to save Halmoni because she doesn’t want her grandmother to die. This magical realism book celebrates Korean culture and storytelling and is about coming to terms with death and illness.

Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Mou-Sien Tseng and Jean Tseng
KOREA
Set in 17th century Korea, Jade loves listening to her brother’s stories about the walls outside her home. As a well-to-do girl, she cannot leave her walled home until she is married.

The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park
KOREA
Brothers, Kee-sup and Young-sup, love kites in this 15th-century story set in Korea. Korea’s king chooses Young-sup to fly the real kite in a competition. Young-sup father wants Kee-sup, the older son, to trade places even though he’s not as strong of a kite flyer. What will the brothers do?

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh (ages 10+)
KOREA
This incredible book packs a big punch because it sensitively and truthfully addresses depression, racism, family relationships, friendship, and strength to stand up against injustice as well as recounts the Korean War from the perspectives of two children, Junie’s grandparents. In the present day, Junie faces bullying and microaggressions, then her friends drop her for being too negative. Her sadness and fatigue lead to suicidal thoughts then medication and therapy. Even more helpful are Junie’s interviews with her grandparents, immigrants from South Korea who faced their war-filled childhood hardships with determination and courage. Her grandpa’s story helps Junie find her strength, helping her see that silence against injustice is complicity and that being a good friend is important. Moving, important, and beautiful. *SENSITIVE READERS: This book includes suicidal thoughts, the violence of war, and a couple of bad words.

White Crane (Samurai Kids) by Sandy Russell (ages 8 – 12)
JAPAN
Niya lives in feudal Japan. He wants to be a samurai yet that won’t be easy– not when he only has one leg. He’s determined to achieve his goal and is finally accepted as a trainee at the Cockroach Rry where he’ll prepare to fight in the Trainee Samurai Games.

Heart of the Samurai by Margi Preus (ages 8 – 12)
JAPAN
I loved this historical fiction book about a 14-year-old boy Japanese boy named Manjiro who is shipwrecked and taken on a ship to the United States. Eventually, he returns to Japan where he is imprisoned.

The Bamboo Sword by Margi Preus (ages 8 – 12)
JAPAN
Set in 1853 Japan, Yoshi is a boy who works for Manjiro during the tense, political negotiations regarding Japan opening it’s borders for the first time in 200 years.

Dumpling Days by Grace Lin (ages 8 – 12)
TAIWAN
Pacy’s family visits Taiwan for her grandmother’s 60th birthday. It’s her first time visiting and she struggles with the language and meeting other kids.