Please welcome my guest author today, Padma Venkatraman, with an extensive list of books for kids and teens to learn about Indian culture. She has broken out her list into four categories:
- picture books
- younger middle grade
- older middle grade/younger young adult
- Young adult/adult
We are also giving away 4 copies of her books. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
p.s. 
Dev and Ollie: Camel Caper by Shweta Aggarwal, illustrated by Somnath Chatterjee
The Dev and Ollie series teaches kids about festivals in India. In this picture book, readers learn about Pushkar Ka Mela, the largest camel fair in the world. With the help of Ollie, a magical owl, Dev helps a camel realize her dream. The back matter page includes fascinating facts about camels. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Books for Kids and Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
I’m honored to contribute a list of titles that help readers ‘learn about India and Indian culture.’ This list is just a starting point – and is limited (as indeed, all lists are). The titles that came to mind today are mostly fiction by Indian American authors and American publishers; obviously, there are several excellent authors and publishers whose work isn’t included. In addition, most of the protagonists below appear to come from Hindu families; but in deference to the unfortunate anti-Islamic sentiment that prevails in parts of the world today, within each age category, I have added at least one book that features a Muslim protagonist (from the Indian subcontinent).
Picture Books for Kids and Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
Lights for Gita by Rachna Gilmore, illustrated by Alice Priestly
Gita, whose family has recently immigrated, discovers the true meaning of Diwali, the festival of light when her plans to celebrate it go wrong. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Same, Same, but Different by Jennie Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Elliot, who lives in the United States, and Kailash, who lives in India, discover the differences and similarities that strengthen their friendship when they become pen pals. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani, illustrated by Elena Gomez
A seven-year-old longs to dress up in her mother’s gorgeous saris. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Twenty-two Cents: Mohammad Yunus and the Village Bank by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Jamel Akib
The true story of Mohammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Younger Middle Grade Books for Kids and Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
Seaglass Summer by Anjali Banerjee
Poppy, who longs to be a veterinarian, spends a summer with her uncle, Sanjay, who works at the Furry Friends Animal Clinic in Washington. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Abigail Halpin
Eleven-year-old Dini goes on a delightful romp in India when her family decides to move there and she’s forced to leave her home in the United States. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan
When well-meaning Naima accidentally topples – and destroys – the rickshaw on which her family depends for a living, she must find a way to make things right. [chapter book, ages 7 and up]
Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth
When Gopal is forced into child labor, he struggles to keep hope alive and plan his escape. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Older Middle Grade / Younger YA Books for Kids and Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
Watched by Marina Budhos
Naeem, a charming teen, is forced to face his weaknesses and encounter the grim side of life in this gripping novel that examines how it feels to grow up under surveillance. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
The Savage Fortress by Sarwat Chadda
The ancient Ramayana Epic is cleverly interwoven with modern fantasy in this adventurous tale, in which Ash discovers an ancient and legendary weapon, as evil mythical creatures come to life and seek to destroy him and his family. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
Wanting Mor by Ruksana Khan
Jameela searches for strength in war-ravaged post-Taliban Afghanistan. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
A light, enjoyable romance that explores dating, relationships, and different kinds of love, in the context of the Indian American community. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
Older Young Adult/ New Adult Books for Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
Star Cursed by Nandini Bajpai
An imaginative retelling of the life of Lilavati, an ancient Indian woman mathematician. [young adult, ages 13 and up]
Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier
A lyrically written story, examining the lives of second-generation South Asian Indian Americans who feel caught between cultures as they search for their identities. [young adult, ages 14 and up]
Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed
Naila, a Pakistani American girl, fights against familial expectations as she carves out her future. [young adult, ages 14 and up]
God Loves Hair by Vivek Shraya
Searing autobiographical vignettes about growing up, written in the voice of a second-generation Indian Canadian teen who is gay. [young adult, ages 15 and up]
Synopses of Padma Venkatraman’s 3 Books
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
Vidya, a fourteen-year-old, is growing up in India in the 1940s. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to move from her liberal home into a conservative one, where she must battle for her personal freedom against the backdrop of her country’s nonviolent struggle for independence. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkataraman
Dance is Veda’s world and when an accident causes her to undergo an amputation, she is determined to dance again. As her understanding of Indian classical dance deepens, empowered by her art, she grows more compassionate, discovers spirituality, and falls in love. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
Island’s End by Padma Venkatraman
On a remote island in the Indian Ocean, in a society threatened by modernity, a young woman is chosen to lead her people. After she proves her courage by battling obstacles and finding her spirit animal, she is forced to deal with the hardest test of all: should she sacrifice her beloved brother’s life, or, by saving him, risk the future of her tribe and her endangered island home? [young adult, ages 12 and up]
Further Reading – miscellaneous titles, primarily for adults
Leaving Yuba City by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Interlinked poems that explore the Indian and the Indian American immigrant experience.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Gogol Ganguly, a second-generation South Asian Indian American, feels his life experiences are shaped by his unusual name, of which he feels intensely ashamed.
Love and Longing in Bombay by Vikram Chandra
A collection of short stories reflecting the lives of characters from different strata of Indian society.
A Suitable Boy by Vivek Seth
A tapestry of stories featuring characters from a broad swath of Indian society, whose lives are interwoven by circumstance.
Sita’s Ramayana by Samhita Arni, illustrated by Moyna Chitrakar
A graphic novel retelling of the Ramayana, an ancient Indian Epic.
4 Book GIVEAWAY of Padma Venkatraman’s Books to 4 Winners!
We are giving away 2 copies each of Time to Dance and Climbing the Stairs to 4 winners! Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter.
Padma Venkatraman is the author of three award-winning older middle grade/young adult novels: Climbing the Stairs, A Time to Dance and Island’s End. All were released to multiple starred reviews (12 in total), won numerous awards, and garnered several honors. Padma Venkatraman has presented keynote addresses at national and international conferences. To learn more, visit her website.
p.p.s. Related posts:
Top 10: Best South Asian American Children’s Books (ages 2-14)
10 Middle Grade Books about Immigrant Families
Hindi Nursery Rhyme Videos to Teach Kids Indian Culture
Picture Books set in Asia or about Asian-Americans
9 Asian Cinderella Picture Books including the Original
Racism in Children’s Books: Asian Slant Eyes
40+ Lists of Asian American Books for Kids
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
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Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
These look fantastic! We’re always looking for new books to read.
Thanks so much Mother of 3!
I love books about the Indian culture and have reviewed a number of ones you’ve mentioned. I love Padma Venkatraman books. Island’s End is still unread on my bookshelf.
Have you read Saraswati’s Way by Monika Schroder? Another good read!
Hi Pat,
I have to read Padma’s books. I am soooo behind!
Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway!
Thanks for entering Roshni! I love how there is a boom in South Asian books for kids lately, especially in YA!
These sound very interesting! Thank you for the list. Thank you also for the giveaway.
Thanks for entering Xyra!
Thanks for the great recs, Mia! I’ve only read about five of these books! Time to play catch up! Dimple & Rishi was a fun read!
I liked that one too Maria! I like a light YA romance though I generally don’t read YA these days.
I love Carmen Lomas Garza’s books because they are autobiographical and also she paints the illustrations. They help readers gain a personal perspective of Mexican and Mexican American culture.
I have to read her books! Thanks Jennifer!
What a great giveaway! Padma’s books are the best. She’s such a lovely author.
I have to read her books Linda! I’m behind on my reading.
I enjoyed When Dimple Met Rishi, it was cute story and I did learn some new things about Indian culture. 🙂
I loved that book too! I love a good, light YA romance!
Love this post and giveaway. I have a few on my TBR already ^_^
My 1st choice would be: Time to Dance
My 2nd choice would be: Climbing the Stairs.
Thanks for entering Gianna!
I really enjoyed Rickshaw Girl, and you’ve given me a lot of other books to look into!
We love Mitali Perkins too. She used to live in my town before she moved so we were able to meet her. She’s so warm and giving!