On this page: General Resources | Mongol Empire | Ming China | Korea

general resources

📖 The Asian World, 600–1500 from Oxford University Press. Geared toward Middle Schoolers, this short textbook can be used for an in-depth study of Asia during the Middle Ages: “Drawing on numerous primary sources, this volume covers the history of Asia from the reunification of China under the Sui and Tang dynasties from the fifth century CE to Choson Korea in the 16th century, also covering other parts of the continent including India and Japan.” – Middle

đź”— Content Connection: Ancient China. Explore the history of China, the Silk Road, the Great Wall, and more.

mongol empire

đź“– Genghis Khan by Demi. “The boy who became the great Genghis Khan would take his people from the brink of survival to near-world domination—and lead the largest empire ever created in the lifetime of one man.” This picture book biography of the life of Genghis Khan begins with his childhood in Mongolia and follows his rise to power. Demi based her interpretation of Genghis Khan’s life on a mix of historical resources and folklore. – Elementary • Middle

đź“– Genghis Khan: Wicked History by Enid Goldberg. Older students will enjoy this well-written chapter book biography of Genghis Khan. Each title in the Wicked History series takes on a notorious character from history and examines their actions and legacy in a clear-eyed manner. Middle • High

đź“– Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything by Kathleen Krull. Here’s a picture book biography of the great Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khan, “a man who liked to live large, building the imperial city of Beijing from scratch, siring a hundred children, throwing birthday bashes for 40,000 guests. He ruled over the greatest empire of the time, one that was lightyears ahead of Western civilization in terms of the arts, sciences, and technology.” – Elementary • Middle

📖 Marco Polo by Demi. The Venetian explorer Marco Polo wrote of his travels along the Silk Road to the Chinese imperial court of Kublai Khan in the late 13th century. This lovely picture book by Demi gives an excellent introduction to the life and travels of this important early European explorer. – Elementary • Middle

đź“– The Adventures of Marco Polo by Russell Freedman.  In his fascinating account of the life and adventures of Venice’s most famous explorer, biographer Russell Freedman poses a key question: “Was Marco Polo the world's greatest explorer—or the world's greatest liar?” It is acknowledged that Polo’s accounts include a number of unlikely tales, but readers may be surprised to learn that some modern scholars don’t even believe that Polo ever made it to China. – Elementary • Middle

đź“– The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean. This adventure novel is set in 13th century China, during the rule of the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan.  Endnotes place the story in historical context. “The Great Miao, master of the Jade Circus, offers twelve-year-old Haoyou the amazing chance to change his life—to escape from his family’s poverty and the pain of his father’s recent death—by becoming a kite rider! Strapped onto a beautiful scarlet-and-gold kite, Haoyou is sent into the sky to soar perilously among the clouds and entertain awestruck crowds below.” – Elementary • Middle 

▶️ The rise and fall of the Mongol Empire from TED-Ed. “It was the largest contiguous land empire in history—stretching from Korea to Ukraine, and from Siberia to southern China. And was forged on the open plains. In the 12th century, the East Asian steppe was home to scattered groups of nomads who, by 1206, would be united under the innovative leadership of a man named Temujin. Anne F. Broadbridge details the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire.” – All

▶️ The Mongols from Crash Course. “In which John Green teaches you, at long last, about the most exceptional bunch of empire-building nomads in the history of the world, the Mongols! How did the Mongols go from being a relatively small band of herders who occasionally engaged in some light hunting-gathering to being one of the most formidable fighting forces in the world? It turns out Genghis Khan was a pretty big part of it, but you probably already knew that. The more interesting questions might be, what kind of rulers were they, and what effect did their empire have on the world we know today?” – Middle • High

ming china

đź“– Adventures of the Treasure Fleet by Ann Martin Bowler.  Here is a wonderful picture book account of the early 15th century travels of Admiral Zheng He, who explored distant lands from the Indian Ocean to Western Africa during the Ming Dynasty. Features appealing illustrations, simple text, and further information at the bottom of each page. – Elementary • Middle

đź“– Beautiful Warrior: The Legend of the Nun’s Kung Fu by Emily Arnold McCully. Set in 17th century China at the end of the Ming Dynasty during a period of political upheaval, this picture book tells the story of Mingyi, a young woman desperate to avoid an unwanted marriage who seeks instruction from Master Wu Mei in the arts of philosophy and kung fu.  â€“ Elementary

korea

đź“– A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. This Newbery Award-winning novel is set in 12th century Korea: “Tree-ear is fascinated by the celedon ware created in the village of Ch’ulp’o. He is determined to prove himself to the master potter, Min—even if it means making a solitary journey to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . or arriving at the royal court with nothing but a single celadon shard.” – Elementary • Middle

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