Hi friends, this first week of February I’m taking you and your tween on a journey of discovery across the mighty continent that is Asia. I’ve managed to find seven stories that, I hope, captivate and keep you interested in discovering more about the wonderful world we live in. Hop on down to find out which countries you’ll be visiting…
The first country we’ll be visiting in this booklist is India.
When the mountain roared by Jess Butterworth (Orion Children’s Books; 2018) takes us to a remote location atop the mountains of India. Ruby’s dad uproots her from Australia to set up a hotel in India. Ruby is sure that India will never truly feel like home – not without her mum. Ever since her mum died, Ruby has been afraid. But when the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes. Ruby vows to do all she can to protect them – if she can only overcome her fears. From the beginning of this mystery, her mother’s absence and young Ruby’s fears unravelled slowly, but the pace of the impending story didn’t. It flowed from chapter to chapter in an excellent combination of description, dialogue and action. In this book I was transported to the dizzying heights of the mountains in India and those gorgeous creatures that call it home. I love how Butterworth has given this story a good ending after detailing something shocking as the killing of an animal. A good read for animal lovers!!
“The world isn’t yours to take without thinking about others… You can’t just hunt living things to get what you want. I know that. And I’m twelve.” – Ruby
In this next read, One half from the east by Nadia Hashimi (Harper; 2016), readers are taken to a small village outside of Kabul in Afghanistan. Obayda’s family is in need of some good fortune since her father’s tragic accident where he lost one of his legs in a bomb explosion. The family is forced to move from their home city of Kabul to a small village, where life is very difficult and Obayda’s father almost never leaves his room. One day, Obayda’s aunt has an idea to bring the family luck – dress Obayda, the youngest of her sisters, as a boy named Obayd, a bacha posh. Life in this in-between place is confusing, but once Obayda meets Rahim – another bacha posh – everything changes. The two best friends must figure out a way to make their new found freedoms endure, or risk losing everything they’ve gained. Heartwarming and poignant, Nadia Hashimi’s first novel for young readers took me to the wild, harsh countryside of Afghanistan and plunged me into the lives of Obayda and Rahim. This gripping tale of identity, family, and friendship took me on an exhilarating journey, filled with stunning description and a better understanding into the cultural practices that still prevail in modern-day Afghanistan.
Amal unbound by Aisha Saeed (The Text Publishing Company; 2018) took me to another village, this time one that lies in the countryside in Pakistan. Life is quiet and ordinary for Amal as she dreams of becoming a teacher one day. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when – as the eldest daughter – she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Amal is upset, but she doesn’t lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. After an accidental run-in with the son of the village’s corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family’s servant to pay off her family’s debt. Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal. Most troubling, though, is Amal’s growing awareness of the Khan’s nefarious dealings. When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect their interests, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others if they are ever to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams. This was by far one of the most gripping stories I’d read to date!! Amal is truly a courageous young girl who finds a way towards freedom after being trapped into servitude to pay off her family’s debt. The language used here along with the stunning descriptions take you straight into the heart of rural Pakistan. I knew such things where young girls and women were taken into indentured servitude from the villages by evil landlords existed but this book showed me how they could choose to make something from that life. For young Amal, who actually could read and write, it was a cage, but for others it was their livelihood. You could see the struggle clearly depicted here. A truly inspirational and poignant read!!
Trekking north now, we head towards Tibet, the ‘roof of the world’ in Running on the roof of the world by Jess Butterworth. (Orion Children’s Books; 2017) After twelve-year-old Tash’s parents are seized by soldiers, she and her best friend Sam resolve to rescue them. But to do so, they must escape Tibet, cross the mountains and seek help from the Dalai Lama in India. And so an extraordinary journey begins. Jess Butterworth really delivered in this read by taking us through a journey over the peaks of the Himalayas during winter mixed with an escape from Tibet! My knowledge of that particular part of the world was quite replete and after reading this, I felt I understood what the people there have to endure. There are some amazing descriptions of the ‘roof of the word’ and life there, even the rich culture of those repressed Tibetan people. You can’t help but feel drawn to Tash and Sam as they struggled to reach India over the snow-clad mountains accompanied by the yaks that ended up being the supporting cast!! An awesome read!!
The Emperor’s Riddle by Kat Zhang (Aladdin; 2017) takes the reader across the continent towards China where we meet Mia Chen and her family. Mia is not sure what to make of this family trip to China, and she didn’t want to leave her friends for the summer, but she’s excited about the prospect of exploring with her Aunt Lin, the only adult who truly understands her. When Aunt Lin disappears not long after her old nemesis visits, Mia is sure it’s linked to their shared history – an ancient treasure the two had searched for when they were younger. Finding an old map filled with riddles in Aunt Lin’s room, Mia quickly pieces together her mission: find the treasure, find her aunt. Now Mia, along with her big brother, Jake, must solve the clues to rescue the person she knows best in the world – and maybe unearth a treasure greater than her wildest dreams. If you enjoy a fast-paced adventure read filled with puzzles and siblings, then this is perfect for you!! I truly loved the descriptions of the highlands in China and felt myself running alongside Mia and Jake as they raced to find their aunt and bring her home.
This next read will take you to the unique landscape that is Mongolia. Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2019) takes the reader into the nomadic lives of a family of Kazakh nomads somewhere in modern-day Mongolia. We meet Aisulu, a young girl who is sent to live with her uncle and aunt while her parents take her brother, Serik, to a distant hospital following an unfortunate accident. Aisulu ends up secretly caring for an orphaned baby eagle while living with her uncle. To save her brother and keep her family from having to abandon their nomadic life, Aisulu must earn her eagle’s trust and fight for her right to soar among others as an eagle hunter. It goes against all tradition for Aisulu to train an eagle, for among the Kazakh nomads, only men can fly them. On her journey, Aisulu discovers that families are made of people who choose one another, home is a place you build, and hope presents itself in unexpected ways. Erin Bow’s delightful debut novel weaves an inspiring tale of friendship, adventure, and hope. I found myself fascinated and learned quite a bit about the nomadic lives of the Kazakhs of Mongolia from this story. The setting among the mountains of Mongolia along with the amazing storyline kept me captivated. A great read for those wanting to learn of different cultures.
The final story takes us across the East China Sea towards Japan. All the ways home by Elsie Chapman (Feiwel and Friends; 2019) is Kaede Hirano’s story. After losing his mom in a fatal car crash, Kaede had to live with his grandfather, someone who is more stranger than family. Best-friendless and critically in danger of repeating the seventh grade, Kaede is given a summer assignment: write an essay about what home means to him, which will be even tougher now that he’s on his way to Japan to reconnect with his estranged father and older half brother. Kaede is willing to try to finally build a new family from his old one if there’s a chance. But building new relationships isn’t as easy as destroying his old ones, and one last desperate act will change the way Kaede sees everyone – including himself. This story explores what home means to us – and discovers that there are many different correct answers. This lovely read had me reaching for tissues every once in a while. My heart really went out to Kaede as he seemed like one extremely angry and confused young boy. The descriptions of Tokyo and the Japanese landscape were amazing. I really enjoyed the relationship he had with his brother Shoma and how it worked out in the end. The letters he writes to his friend and parents added another layer to the story. An engaging and poignant read!!
“…now I know it’s not about roots only growing deep. They can grow outward, too, toward people and places, a feeling. That’s home. You take it with you.”
– Kaede
I hope you enjoyed this selection of tween reads set in Asia. If you have read anything similar I’d love to hear from you!
Stay safe and keep reading
Miss Mahee
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 