Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Book cover of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Book description

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. While her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man in the Moon, Minli's mother chides him for filling her head with stories. But inspired…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Gita Ralleigh

Author

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon drew me in with its beautiful illustrations and glimpse into the rich mythologies of China.

Minli, a poor girl, lives where Fruitless Mountain and Jade River meet and like Haroun, has a storyteller father. When she spends two copper coins on a talking goldfish, it tells her how to find the Old Man on the Moon and change her family’s fortune. Minli sets off on her quest in the company of a dragon who cannot fly and discovers that good fortune means more than riches.

A delightful fable of friendship and family, with stories…

From Gita's list on magic realism chosen by a children’s author.

S.M. Stevens

Author

I love this story because it feels like a folk tale come to life, and has gorgeous illustrations and a kind and resourceful hero. When Minli leaves her poor village in search of the Man of the Moon at Never-Ending Mountain, seeking a way to improve her family’s situation, she befriends a cast of colorful characters including a talking dragon, goldfish, and stone lions. Each encounter reveals a clue that leads Minli along her journey. You’ll feel Minli’s internal struggle when the girl faces a hard choice. Happy Ending: Her selfless sacrifice breeds fortune for her village and family.

From S.M.'s list on adventure with talking animals and a dash of magic.

Sigrid Schmalzer

Author

Winner of a Newbury Honor, this is the first installment in a trilogy of fantasy novels by Grace Lin, well known also for her many picture books and realistic middle-grade novels exploring Chinese-American heritage. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon tells the story of young Minli, who is seeking the Old Man of the Moon to bring good fortune to her family. Lin brilliantly fuses Chinese fairy tales and adventure stories with contemporary American fantasy; in its tempo and ornament the book evokes the Ming Dynasty novel Journey to the West, but Minli will be as accessible to young…

From Sigrid's list on China for young readers.