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Books by Carolyn Marsden | Wonderlit

Books by Carolyn Marsden

13 books · Ages 6–15

Known for the Oy and The Gold-Threaded Dress series, Carolyn Marsden writes middle grade and young adult for ages 6–15, alongside 11 standalone books, exploring themes of cultural identity, family & siblings, self-confidence & identity.

Series

The Gold-Threaded Dress

1 book · Ages 7–10

The Quail Club

The Gold-Threaded Dress

1 book · Ages 8–12

Standalone Books

Cover of Silk Umbrellas

Carolyn Marsden

Noi fears that her days of painting beautiful umbrellas are numbered as the pressure grows to leave her Thai village for

Cover of The Jade Dragon

The Jade Dragon

Carolyn Marsden, Virginia Shin-Mui Loh

Second-grader Ginny navigates the bridge between her Chinese heritage and American life through a new friendship and sha

Cover of The Buddha's Diamonds

The Buddha's Diamonds

Carolyn Marsden, Thay Phap Niem

By Age Range

The Gold-Threaded Dress

The Jade Dragon

Moon Runner

The Gold-Threaded Dress

Silk Umbrellas

The Jade Dragon

Common Themes

Cultural Identity Family & Siblings Self-Confidence & Identity Loneliness & Belonging Love & Family History Friendship & Loyalty Asian Heritage

Fear drives Tinh away during a fierce storm, leaving him to face the consequences of a damaged boat and the difficult pa

Ages 8–12

Cover of When Heaven Fell

When Heaven Fell

Carolyn Marsden

For the child grappling with expectations versus reality. Binh discovers the emotional complexity of family secrets and

Cover of Sahwira: An African Friendship

Sahwira: An African Friendship

Carolyn Marsden, Philip Merlin Matzigkeit

Two best friends find their bond tested as the political tensions of 1964 Rhodesia threaten to pull their worlds apart.

Cover of Take Me with You

Take Me with You

Carolyn Marsden

Susanna and Pina have grown up together in a post-WWII Italian orphanage, but the hope of adoption brings the scary poss

Cover of Starfields

Carolyn Marsden

Nine-year-old Rosalba faces rumors of the world's end as ancient Mayan visions and a mysterious boy guide her through bi

Cover of My Own Revolution

My Own Revolution

Carolyn Marsden

Fourteen-year-old Patrik rebels against 1960s communist Czechoslovakia with secret records and midnight slogans, risking

Cover of Moon Runner

Carolyn Marsden

Mina discovers she has a natural talent for speed, but she fears her new racing skills might cost her the friendship of

Cover of Bird Springs

Carolyn Marsden

For the child facing the uncertainty of housing transitions or living in a shelter, this story offers a mirror of resili

Cover of The White Zone

Carolyn Marsden

A rare snowfall brings a moment of quiet wonder to Baghdad as two cousins from different backgrounds navigate the danger

Silk Umbrellas

The Quail Club

The Buddha's Diamonds

If Your Family Loves Carolyn Marsden, Also Try

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Retelling of Little Women

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Retelling of Little Women

Face at the Edge of the World

Face at the Edge of the World

Maniac Magee

The Daughters

The Braid Girls

The Braid Girls