Staff Picks
Religious Diversity: Youth Titles That Highlight Hinduism
- Ashley S.
- Friday, April 07, 2023
Collection
Check out these youth titles that highlight Hinduism.
Diwali
Published in 2022
"Diwali is about celebrating! It honors the Hindu story of Rama. Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains also celebrate Diwali. To celebrate this Festival of Lights, people light lamps, watch fireworks, and dance. Others might exchange cards and presents. Readers will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways"-- Provided by publisher.
The Savage Fortress
Published in 2012
When British schoolboy Ash Mistry goes to India for a vacation, he quickly falls into a world of rakshasas, or demons, overseen by the evil Lord Alexander Savage.
Aru Shah and the End of Time
Published in 2018
Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her private school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.
The Serpent's Secret
Published in 2018
Up until her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala considered herself an ordinary sixth-grader in Parsippany, New Jersey, but then her parents disappear and a drooling rakkhosh demon shows up in her kitchen, and soon she is swept into another dimension, full of magic, winged horses, talking birds (very annoying), and cute princes--and somehow Kiranmala needs to sort it all out, find her parents, and basically save the world.
Diwali
Published in 2018
Introduces the Hindu holiday, discussing the ways in which it is celebrated and why it is important.
The Night Diary
Published in 2018
Shy twelve-year-old Nisha, forced to flee her home with her Hindu family during the 1947 partition of India, tries to find her voice and make sense of the world falling apart around her by writing to her deceased Muslim mother in the pages of her diary.
The Library of Fates
Published in 2017
To keep her kingdom from being invaded, Princess Amrita offers her hand in marriage to the conqueror, but when this offer is rebuked, she finds herself a fugitive and befriends Thala, an oracle who leads them on quest to find a mystical library that may help them reverse their fates.
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom
Published in 2021
Drawn into the mystical world she created, 11-year-old Kiki Kallira must battle against her fear and anxiety to save two worlds--the real and imagined--from the wrath of an ancient deity bent on total destruction.
My Diwali Light
Published in 2022
Devi, her family, and their friends boldly celebrate and proudly share their Diwali traditions.
Ganesha's Sweet Tooth
Published in 2021
An original tale based on Hindu mythology, this book tells the story about how Ganesha's love of sweets led to a broken tusk and the writing of the epic poem, the Mahābhārata.
Archie Celebrates Diwali
Published in 2021
"Archie is worried that her school friends won't like Diwali, her favorite Hindu holiday, and when a storm knocks out the electricity, it looks like the party may be ruined."--Provided by publisher.
Festival of Colors
Published in 2018
Siblings Chintoo and Mintoo collect flowers and press the petals into a fine powder as they prepare for Holi, the Indian springtime Festival of Colors. Includes author's note.
Holi Hai!
Published in 2021
Will Gauri's anger prevent her from enjoying the Holi festivities with her family?
Shubh Diwali!
Published in 2019
"One family celebrates the Hindu festival of lights"-- Provided by publisher.
A Sliver of Moon and a Shard of Truth
Stories from India
Published in 2022
Four wry new trickster tales from the creators of Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship draw on Hindu mythology and the rich tradition of Indian folktales. Clever Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku, are back in a vibrant new collection of stories riddled with surprises. When the prince's great uncle, Raja Apoorva, invites the boys to the summer festival in Peetalpur, Prince Veera and Suku are excited to compete in the games. It's no easy feat to make the peahen sing (when peahens can't sing) or defeat the country's champion wrestler, but Raja Apoorva's riddles prove the ultimate test of the boys' wit and wisdom. Who owns the tree that provides the palace figs? What intruder dared pull the Raja's beard? And what are the secrets of the holy man and the astronomer? Packed with glorious trickster tradition, wise-cracking dialogue, and gemlike illustrations, these festive tales of two fast-thinking friends will captivate readers of all ages.
Star Daughter
Published in 2020
Sheetal Mistry, a rising high school junior who is half-star, half-human, must win a competition in the starry court to save her human father.-- Provided by Publisher.