Aisyah, an aspiring young detective in Kelantan, discovers that the way her grandmother arranges her Nasi Kerabu is actually a coded map. By decoding the ingredients, she unlocks a secret room in a historic mansion, expecting to find jewels but instead discovering a priceless family recipe and the history of her ancestors. The story blends Malaysian culture with a classic "whodunnit" vibe...
The Glow from Below is a magical realism adventure set in the iconic Waitomo Caves of New Zealand. Ari, a twelve-year-old boy of Asian descent, embarks on a secret mission with his cousin Jun to recover their grandmother’s lost jade pendant from the cave's depths. During the journey, Ari discovers a supernatural connection with the glowworms, realizing they respond to his thoughts and emotions...
Yang Zi, a young girl living in the historic Clan Jetties of Penang, discovers a tin of vintage postcards from the 1950s belonging to her grandfather. Inspired by the images of a bygone era, she embarks on a photography project to recreate the old photos from the same locations today. Through her journey, she learns about the transformation of her community, uncovers the stories of past...
Liam, a twelve-year-old boy struggling with a paralyzing fear of heights, travels to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with his family. While hiking the Hooker Valley Track, he loses his grandfather’s precious vintage compass and must overcome his phobia to retrieve it from a dangerous slope. Through this solo ordeal in the shadow of New Zealand's tallest peak, Liam learns that true courage is not...
Maia, a 12-year-old girl on a school trip to the breathtaking Milford Sound, discovers an ancient silver locket hidden near a waterfall. Along with her friend Jun-Ho, she embarks on a journey through the dense New Zealand bush, following a trail of coordinates left behind a century ago. The quest leads them to discover the deep connection between Maia's family history and the wild landscape of...
Thanh, a spirited twelve-year-old helping his aunt at the iconic Saigon Central Post Office, discovers a long-lost letter dated from the final days of the Vietnam War in 1975. Defying the passage of time, Thanh embarks on a journey across the bustling, evolving streets of Ho Chi Minh City to find "the girl with the red ribbon." This heartwarming tale bridges the gap between the past and the...
In the lush heart of Vietnam’s Cuc Phuong National Park, a young volunteer named Lam discovers that saving a rescued sun bear cub requires more than just medicine and food. When a traumatized cub named Kopi refuses to eat, Lam uses his deep connection to his grandmother’s stories and the rhythmic "songs" of the ancient forest—mimicking bird calls and the rustle of leaves—to stir the cub’s will to...
Linh, a city girl obsessed with capturing the "perfect" social-media-worthy photo, travels to the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces during the harvest season. Through her interactions with her hardworking cousins and a humbling fall into the mud, she realizes that true beauty isn't found in untouched landscapes, but in the grit, sweat, and communal joy of the people who shape the land.
Twelve-year-old Minh lives on a tour boat in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, surrounded by his grandfather’s "tall tales" about hidden treasures. When he discovers a secret carving on a limestone cliff, he realizes the stories were real and embarks on a race against a rising tide to uncover a long-lost family secret. Through his bravery and wit, Minh finds a hidden "debt of honor" left by his grandfather...
Pineapple Tarts for a Rainy Day is a moving story about twelve-year-old Ah Boy and his aging grandfather, Gong Gong, as they prepare traditional Lunar New Year treats in their family home. As Gong Gong struggles with the early stages of dementia, the sensory experience of baking—specifically the sharp scents of cloves and cinnamon—acts as a "map" to help him navigate back to his memories and his...