"Far away from here, following the Jade River, there was once a black mountain that cut into the sky like a jagged piece of rough metal. The villagers called it Fruitless Mountain because nothing grew on it and birds and animals did not rest there."
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Chapter 1
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Summary:
Minli and her family have always lived in the valley of the Fruitless Mountain, growing just enough rice for their daily meals. Every night after working in the fields, Minli's father tells her stories. The tales about dragons, fierce magistrates, and the Old Man in the Moon fill Minli with wonder and hope. Then one day, Minli encounters an extraordinary goldfish who tells her the way to find the Old Man in the Moon, and she embarks on a journey to change her family's fortune.
The road to the Old Man in Moon is long and full of surprises, but Minli's courage and determination, along with the new friends she meets along the way, keep her on track. Yet, when she finally finds the Old Man in the Moon, what fortune will be waiting for her?
About the Book:
In Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Grace Lin creates a beautiful, magical world inspired by Chinese folklore. She shows the power of storytelling to inspire, comfort, and connect people of different backgrounds. At the same time, her characters demonstrate the value of gratitude and kindness. These important themes add weight to the already enjoyable adventure, making it a great book to read and discuss with kids.
Grace Lin also masterfully balances her central narrative with smaller tales as many of the characters share their stories with Minli. Her father tells her all legends he knows. Each new friend Minli makes tells her their history, as well as a tale or two that they've heard. As Minli's journey progresses, these stories all begin to weave together--connecting Minli and the friends she makes. Every thread finds a place in the final narrative, pulling tightly in the end for a satisfying conclusion.
The whole book teems with wonder. From the vivid illustrations to the colorful cast of characters, every element of the story draws the reader in deeper. Itโs a fun, wholesome travelerโs tale sure to delight readers across ages.
Karley Conklin
Karley Conklin is a librarian by day, a writer by night, and a bookworm 24/7. For more of her writing, visit litwyrm.com
It sounds intriguing!
It was a really great read!
I love the universal, immediate insights folktales bring out.
Karley, this book was a required reading in a lit class I took. She is a masterful writer!