Books with South Asian characters for ages 6+

Vinay and his ​“Council of Friends” are disrupted by the arrival of his cousin. Together, they learn to set aside their differences and empathise with each other’s feelings. 

Anisha’s ultra-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and the groom, Uncle Tony, has been kidnapped! Can Anisha and her best friend Milo track down the culprit – and Uncle Tony – in time for his wedding?

Featuring 50 brilliant Indian women from history and the present day, Girl Power: Indian Women Who Took on the World is a truly inspirational read, with clearly laid out text and gorgeous painted portraits by Niloufer Wadia.

A funny and exciting compilation of three stories following junior detectives Sindhu and Jeet from Chennai airport to Tower Bridge and the Natural History Museum, as they put their investigative skills to the test.

Can Maysa and Musa solve the mystery of who destroyed the competition cookies? Relatable and funny, this is a story about everyday family life, with a gentle mystery and a BIG lie at the heart of it. 

This beautifully illustrated collection of 50 biographies showcases a huge range of historical and modern-day South Asian women’s stories and achievements. 

Set in India, this gentle tale is one of a series of delightful chapter books about Sona and her extended family and is peppered with interesting details about Hindu traditions, culture and food. 

This delightful first chapter book is illustrated in black and white on every page and is a great way for newly independent readers to experience Christmas in India in the company of two excited young boys.  

When Dev spots a Yeti in the sweltering streets of Kathmandu, nobody believes him. The creature causes havoc wherever he goes, and Dev gets the blame, so he is determined to capture the troublesome creature and prove his innocence. An entertaining tale, bursting with colourful, comic-strip illustrations. 

In the wintery Himalayas, Anya and Mahi are swept away by the goddess Ganga on a journey to reconnect with their spirit animals and to spread a song of natural healing across the world. 

The mysterious disappearance of some diamonds at her cousin’s henna party gives Zaiba the perfect opportunity to prove that she’s just as good a detective as her Aunty Fouzia. An energetic adventure set against the background of a traditional Pakistani pre-wedding ceremony.

A vibrantly colourful celebration of India, its people, history and wildlife. A beautiful and fascinating book to dip into and pore over.

Planet Omar has all of the everyday life family drama and silly humour of Tom Gates and Sam Wu, and it’s wonderful to read a funny book for kids featuring a Muslim family.

Genius inventor Esha Verma is on the brink of winning the Brain Trophy, when she accidentally sends her sister back to the age of the dinosaurs. Funny and fast-paced STEM adventure.

The inspiring story of Hardit Sing Malik, a British Indian, who fought for the right to be able to protect Britain in World War One.

A lively, entertaining, sleuthing adventure with a multicultural cast of characters and focussing on family relationships. 

A thrilling historical adventure quest, with elements of magic realism, set in a fictionalised version of colonial India and exploring aspects of imperialism and the exploitation of indigenous peoples. 

Bobby wants his nana-ji and Trevor to be friends because they both love football. A heart-warming story of community and kindness – and football! Dyslexia friendly, and appealing to all readers. 

In war-torn France, who can Rosie trust? A pacy novel starring a brave Anglo-India heroine.

This moving tale centres around two eleven-year-old girls, Usha – a quiet introvert grieving for her grandmother – and Imtiaz, who grew up in a children’s home and has been adopted by Usha’s family. Packed full of history, this poignant novel about family secrets and broken promises explores some of the injustices faced by generations of migrants to Britain. 

Asha’s quest across India to find her father brings her into danger before love, faith and friendship finally provide a happy ending. A warm, comforting story that tackles some dark subjects with a constantly reassuring tone. 

When Bela wins the Dance Starz talent show, she earns a full scholarship at the Bollywood Academy – but fellow student Monica is determined to stop her in her tracks.

When Lena’s older brother goes missing, she knows she must find him. But what secrets will she uncover? A gripping mystery set in contemporary India, with themes of family expectations and the importance of the arts.  

Can thirteen-year-old Priya be honest about how she feels without ruining her life? Funny, fresh and full of heart. 

A beautifully illustrated book packed with information about incredible Muslimswho’ve made an impact on the world. Covering centuries of history and different countries across the world, this will appeal to fans of real-life stories. 

Ajay and his fellow Mumbai street kids are in a race to Jaipur, to find a crashed meteorite. This big story could save the newspaper they run! Only, there may be a bigger story – about a threat to the whole world… A thrilling adventure with a lot of heart.

This beautifully designed book celebrates the diversity of Asia, with in-depth information about the world’s largest and most populated continent. 

In an impressively imagined alternative India, a complex system of magic and ancient power whirls around engaging characters (both human and animal) to create an intricate web of plotting and deceit. 

Against the backdrop of a stunning South Asian landscape, three youngsters are on the run from the King’s guards – on an elephant! With themes of morality, friendship, teamwork and loyalty, this exciting adventure book also has lots of tension and jeopardy.

Anyone looking to escape into a world of battling princesses, scary ogres, heroic warriors, wily animals, and even ordinary people doing extraordinary things, should take a look inside this beautiful compilation of traditional tales from across South Asia.

Yasmin is the quiet one in a really loud family, until Levi the magic toy llama comes along and forces everyone to listen to her.

Be inspired by the real-life stories of 50 notable South Asian people. 

Zubair can time travel! But can he fix his family’s problems without unintended consequences? A funny, exciting, moving story that many readers will relate to. 

Fifteen stories of joy, showcasing the Eid traditions of kindness, generosity and delicious food that many Muslim families follow. A book to treasure, for readers from every walk of life.

Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of resistance from World War II when hundreds of Jews were led to safety via underground passages from the Grand Mosque in Paris.

A thrilling, magical adventure following a girl’s journey from modern Pakistan into the enchanted land of the jinn. It highlights how hard life is for many children in the world, in an engaging, age-appropriate way. 

This is the incredible true story of Noor Inayat Khan, a Muslim woman who spied for Britain during the Second World War. Noor is written by Sufiya Ahmed as a brave and fiercely impassioned young woman, painting her life with meticulous detail and a realistic first person voice.

An accessible, humanitarian perspective on the Partition of India in 1947, seen through the experiences of three children and their families. 

This hilarious, illustrated chapter book features best friends Mina, Reema and Mobeen. They are excited about their school camping trip but get the heebie-jeebies when they hear rumours about Bertie Blackteeth, a ghostly figure who roams the woods in search of her next victim… 

A story of adventure, trauma and courage set in India and England against a backdrop of imperialism, a world war and the violent unrest that followed the partition of India. 

This empathetic account of the process of bereavement, a month’s diary, reassures readers that we grow from our experiences, however painful they are.

Join music and film lover, 15 year old Ellie as she navigates her identity, secrets, love and the perils of growing up.