Season two of Disney+’s TV show adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians ended this week, and I’m already missing it! With the next season coming out later this year and the worldwide success of Rick Riordan’s stories, it’s evident that people love a good coming-of-age narrative, especially when it has monsters, magic, and mythology. Most importantly, for young kids, these kinds of stories show them that they can be heroes, and that reading can be fun and exciting. Because of this, I wanted to share some middle-grade novels I found that feature mythologies from around the world. If you’re craving more myths and legends, try one of these recommendations out!
Lei and the Fire Goddess, Malia Maunakea
Twelve-year-old Lei doesn’t believe in her family’s moʻolelo, the Hawaiian legends and folktales her grandmother tells her about. Her Colorado classmates mock and dismiss these stories as well. So when Lei is forced to spend each summer visiting her tūtū in Hawaiʻi, all she wants to do is vacation like a normal tourist, not learn about her family’s history. But after she picks a sacred ʻōhiʻa lehua flower in anger, accidentally disrespecting the Goddess of Fire, Pele, the myths become very real. If Lei wants to lift the curse Pele places on her family and rescue her best friend, she will have to embrace herself and her cultural heritage.
With action-packed adventure, friendships, and a journey of self-acceptance, this empowering story is perfect for readers finding themselves and their own inner strength.
The Spirit Glass, Roshani Chokshi
Under the tutelage of her Aunt Tina, Corazon impatiently waits to awaken her magic on her twelfth birthday and finally begin her training as a babaylan: a mystical spirit guide and healer. When she does so, she will be able to resurrect her parents, no longer needing a soul key to visit their spirits every weekend. However, her plan is thrown into disarray when a ghost steals her key, disrupting the sensitive boundary between the spirit and human world. To activate her magic, she must undertake a quest: journey through the spirit realm to create a new soul key and put the thief’s spirit to rest. But there’s a catch—if the ghost reaches the spirit glass, she’ll never see her parents again.
This book incorporates Filipino mythology, creating an intriguing magic system and an engrossing fantasy world. It deftly explores heavy themes of grief and loss alongside humor and hope.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Grace Lin
Minli and her parents work tirelessly in the valley of the Fruitless Mountain, just barely scraping by. At night, Minli’s father tells enchanting stories of the Old Man of the Moon and the Jade Dragon, offering Minli respite from the hard days. Even though her mother thinks that these stories fill Minli’s imagination with tall tales, the young girl believes wholeheartedly in them, and she sets off on an adventure to find the Old Man of the Moon, hoping his advice can change her family’s fortune. Minli is joined by a dragon on her journey, and together, they encounter a king, a talking goldfish, a green tiger, and more.
Since this whimsical story has a strong female protagonist, elements of Chinese fairy tales and folklore, and beautiful illustrations, it seems like a wonderful read, and I’m excited to get my hands on this book!
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Kwame Mbalia
When Tristan Strong loses his first boxing match, he’s sent to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama. This loss runs deeper than just disappointing his boxing family and their legacy; Tristan is also grappling with the tragic death of his best friend, Eddie. Carrying all he has left of his friend—a journal of stories—Tristan is sent to the farm for the summer to heal from this grief. But when a strange creature steals the journal on his first night there, Tristan chases after it, and in their tussle, he accidentally punches a hole in the sky, revealing MidPass: a world where African-American legends reside. Here, he’ll have to save the people of Alke and barter with the god Anansi if he wants to return home.
While Mbalia blends West African gods with African-American folk legends, having his main character defeat monsters and go on a quest, the heart of the story is Tristan coming to terms with his survivor’s guilt and grief, resulting in a moving story that all are bound to enjoy.
This is by no means a comprehensive list. There are so many more wonderful, diverse mythology-related middle-grade novels out there to discover and read. Some of these include Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B Alston, Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, and Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. If you loved Percy Jackson, keep exploring the magic and charm of mythological tales; they’re sure to take you on an adventure!
Danielle Hartshorn, Pine Reads Review Writer and Editor