Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom is a 1983 children's book written by American novelist Katherine Paterson.

Set during the Taiping Rebellion in China, it focuses on Wang Lee, a 15-year-old peasant boy who is abducted into a secret rebel organization.

Mei Lin, a female soldier, teaches Wang Lee to read and instructs him on the movement’s dogma.

Wang Lee’s transition into being a soldier is marked with acts of violence and betrayal, and he is forced through difficult circumstance to learn humility as part of his training.

[1] Following its publication, Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom received the Parents' Choice Award and was named the NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies.