Song of the Yellow Dragon, Ying Ping Low
Song of the Yellow Dragon, Ying Ping Low
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Song of the Yellow Dragon

Author: Ying Ping Low

Narrator: Catherine Ho

Unabridged: 6 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/12/2026


Synopsis

Two children search for a legendary dragon's magic in this enchanting fantasy, perfect for readers ages 9-13!

“With masterful storytelling and lush, lyrical prose, Low spins a tale that feels at once fresh and timeless, creating a world that readers will never want to leave.”—Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior and Winnie Zeng series.

There is a secret that every child knows: Magic is real. But by the time children turn thirteen, they forget that magic is anything but make-believe.

Mengyao wants to remember. Born in a village nestled in a secluded vale, Mengyao wants to hold on to magic and become a Divine Healer. But with her thirteenth birthday fast approaching, she is losing hope.

Young emperor Kai is on the run from traitorous advisors. He’s searching for the fabled Dragon’s Pulse, a magic capable of defeating his enemies. On the brink of his thirteenth birthday, Kai doesn’t have much longer. So when he meets Mengyao—the girl whose name is mentioned in his legend—he forces aside his instinctual distrust and recruits her to help him on his quest.

On their perilous journey, Kai and Mengyao find aid in unexpected forms like a jade hare, a moon goddess, and a handful of promises. But as enemies close in and time runs out, secrets that will reshape the fate of their kingdom forever come to light.

About The Author

Ying Ping Low has published multiple middle grade novels in Singapore. Her novels have won the Singapore Book Award and been shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award and the Popular Readers’ Choice Award. While she has also received acclaim for her poems and short stories, novels are her preferred form of writing. Song of the Yellow Dragon will be her first novel published into the US market. Ying Ping lives in Singapore, where she picked up crocheting just before the pandemic and has never stopped since.


Reviews

Goodreads review by The Page Ladies on May 12, 2026

What if magic doesn’t disappear, we just forget how to see it? ✨ I went into Song of the Yellow Dragon was a heartfelt adventure wrapped around memory, identity, and the fragile belief in magic. Told through the intertwined journeys of Mengyao and Kai, this story pulled me in almost instantly. Mengyao......more

Goodreads review by Vivian on March 01, 2026

In Song of the Yellow Dragon, kids grow up knowing magic is real but once they turn 13, they forget it all. Mengyao, living in a quiet village, dreams of becoming a divine healer. With her birthday looming, she fears losing the very magic she needs. Then she crosses paths with Kai, a runaway young e......more

Goodreads review by Mark on February 15, 2026

What worked: The opening hook is dramatic and should draw in young readers. Kai becomes a twelve-year-old puppet emperor after his father suddenly dies. He’s the emperor in name only until he reaches the age of 13, so his shady advisor makes decisions that run the empire. Kai overhears the advisor’s......more

Goodreads review by Teresa on April 21, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Ying Ping Low for the opportunity to read Song of the Yellow Dragon in exchange for an honest review. Song of the Yellow Dragon is a novel for a middle grade audience that follows two twelve-year-old'......more

Goodreads review by Chelsea on May 12, 2026

Song of the Yellow Dragon, by Ying Ping Low, feels like the kind of middle grade fantasy that children completely disappear into. The premise of children slowly losing their belief in magic as they approach thirteen already creates such a bittersweet emotional foundation, but what really stood out t......more


Quotes

“[A] beguiling coming-of-age story . . . with magical elements and moments, from helpful breezes to enticing old stories, from the everyday glory of a cloud of fluff whirling above a field of dandelions to a dazzling golden transformation at the climax that will leave readers entranced.” —Booklist

“A journey shaped by danger, secrecy, and the possibility of magic and unexpected alliances. . . Linguistically precise, developmentally appropriate, and instructionally rich for middle grade readers, this title is a strong addition to any library or classroom.” —School Library Journal

“Compelling twists . . . intriguing surprises.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An immersive high-stakes adventure full of hope and wonder. . . Brimming with unexpected twists, this will remind young readers to believe in the magic within themselves and shape their own destiny.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“With masterful storytelling and lush, lyrical prose, Low spins a tale that feels at once fresh and timeless, creating a world that readers will never want to leave.”—Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior and Winnie Zeng series

Whimsical, lyrical, and effortlessly readable . . . A powerful reminder that while it’s important to hold onto the quiet, everyday magic we often overlook, it’s just as—if not more—important to hold onto the people who make the ordinary feel magical.” —Kyla Zhao, author of May the Best Player Win

“This book is breathtaking! From jaw-dropping twists to heart-wrenching moments, every page drew me in. Song of the Yellow Dragon is immersive, creative, and full of life lessons that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I laughed, I cried, and I gasped more than once—an absolute masterpiece!” —Isi Hendrix, author of the Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans