Asia

Materials from Asia

Vermonia #3

The quest to save Vermonia continues! Fabulous manga artwork highlights this tale of four friends who hold the fate of three worlds in their hands. In part three of the Vermonia series, General Uro’s reign of terror spreads through the Turtle Realm. When the three skateboarders from the planet Blue Star–Doug, Naomi, and Jim—-are brought to a village burning under the evil Uro’s command, Naomi merges with her warrior spirit, the red phoenix, to help put out the flames. Now that the friends have the power of their guardian animals, they draw closer to finding and freeing Mel, who is trapped in a bubble guarded by one of General Uro’s brainwashed soldiers.

Vermonia #4

The quest to save Vermonia continues! Fabulous manga artwork highlights this tale of four friends who hold the fate of three worlds in their hands.The Four pillars supporting life in the Turtle Realm— fire, wind, water, and thunder— are under threat from General Uro’s army. Mel and her guardian, Ruka, remain imprisioned in the castle of Captain Acidulous. To rescue Mel and protect the pillars, Naomi, Doug, and Jim must dive deep into the Oritsa Ocean and join forces with the Aqami People. In this exciting fourth episode, the tribes of the Turtle Realm, led by the Blue Star Warriors, confront Uro’s dark Yami magic in two epic battles.

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition among Snow Leopards in Mongolia

Provides an examination of the elusive snow leopards, who live along the mountain ridges of Mongolia and are seldom seen by humans, through the observations of a scientist and conservation director of the Snow Leopard Trust. Scientists in the Field

A Step From Heaven

A young Korean girl and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 1

This book has been included in WOW’s Language and Learning: Children’s and Young Adult Fiction Booklist. For our current list, visit our Booklist page under Resources in the green navigation bar.

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

This is the first book in a new epic trilogy that has already become a bestselling sensation in England and Australia, earning comparisons to The Lord of the Rings. It begins with the legend of a nightingale floor in a black-walled fortress-a floor that sings in alarm at the step of an assassin. It will take true courage and all the skills of an ancient Tribe for one orphaned youth named Takeo to discover the magical destiny that awaits him…across the nightingale floor.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 1

Bamboo People

This coming-of-age novel takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two teenaged boys on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice as seen through the eyes of child soldiers.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 1

Blood Ninja

Is Taro, a fisherman’s son, destined for greatness? In the course of a day, Taro’s entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who — and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he’s less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate.

Where The Mountain Meets The Moon

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.