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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin


There is a barren mountain aptly called Fruitless Mountain, and by it lies the dark Jade River. In the shadow of the mountain is a poor village where everything is the dull color of mud. In this village live Ba and Ma and their quick-thinking daughter Minli. Ba, Ma, and Minli work hard in the fields every day, yet they only have plain rice to eat for their meals. Ma sighs with discontentment all the time. Minli looks at her weary father, her dissatisfied mother, and her desolate village and wishes she knew how she could change their fortune.

Ba has told Minli wonderful stories about the Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answer to all important questions, for he alone holds and reads the Book of Fortune. Minli decides to find the Never-Ending Mountain and climb up to the moon so that she can ask the Old Man how she can change her family's fortune. And so begins Minli's journey. Along the way, she makes many new friends, including a dragon, a buffalo boy, and a king.

Minli's story is generously sprinkled with the stories told by Ba and by the animals and people she meets. These magical stories and Minli's own story were inspired by Chinese folktales and all are connected in surprising and delightful ways.

There isn't a lot of external action during the journey, but there is so much going on inside Minli. Readers will find the internal transformation she goes through in her quest for good fortune very satisfying. There is so much wisdom in this book. It is about kindness, generosity, and hospitality. It is about faith and the secret to happiness. It is about the truth in and the power of stories.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is not just an example of fine storytelling. It is also an example of fine bookmaking. It is an object of art. The book is filled with engaging, intricately-detailed spot and full-page illustrations in rich, jewel-like colors.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a quietly impressive book from a truly skilled author and illustrator.


[Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was a finalist in the middle grade science fiction and fantasy category of the 2009-2010 Cybils awards. I bought my own copy so that I could read it as a Cybils judge.]
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Comments

  1. Color OnlineFebruary 15, 2010 at 4:08 AM

    I'd love to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tarie SabidoFebruary 15, 2010 at 4:25 AM

    Susan, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon made me cry! I thought it was just so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jules at 7-ImpFebruary 15, 2010 at 4:34 AM

    Great review for a wonderful book!

    Jules
    7-Imp

    ReplyDelete
  4. CharlotteFebruary 15, 2010 at 8:36 AM

    Truly a lovely book! I've added your review to my weekly round-up...

    ReplyDelete
  5. MissAFebruary 15, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    I want to read this book so so badly! It sounds wonderful and it made me you cry? :0 It looks beautiful. As soon as I do reviews for all the books I need to review asap, I'm going to read this one.

    Awesome review, Tarie!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tarie SabidoFebruary 15, 2010 at 1:42 PM

    Jules, I love this book so much!

    Charlotte, thanks so much for including me in your round-up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tarie SabidoFebruary 15, 2010 at 2:49 PM

    Ari, some readers find the book a little slow. But I really think Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is an excellent example of literary merit.

    I cried when Minli realizes the secret to happiness. It was like a light bulb going off in her head and in MY head. There are books that make you want to live in their world. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon gave me inspiration to live in the real world!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mrs. PilkingtonFebruary 16, 2010 at 10:03 AM

    Just read this recently, and thought it was exquisite! Grace Lin has such a light touch while she writes with lasting impact. I *loved* Minli -- all of the characters were wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tarie SabidoFebruary 16, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    Hi, Olugbemisola! I agree! Grace Lin's light touch is so fresh, and I can count Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as a life-changing book for me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Color OnlineFebruary 26, 2010 at 8:26 PM

    I've linked your review at Color Me Brown Links.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tarie SabidoFebruary 27, 2010 at 12:35 AM

    Thank you so much for the link love, Susan!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sarah StevensonMarch 1, 2010 at 3:07 AM

    I really look forward to reading this one! Thanks for the review to pique my interest. :) (I'm going to have a HUGE post-Cybils reading list...)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tarie SabidoMarch 1, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    I really hope you enjoy it, a. fortis! =D

    ReplyDelete
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