"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

Lin, Grace (2009). Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2010 Newbery Honor Book

Minli lives in a village right at the foot of the Fruitless Mountain, which legend says is the heart of the Mother Jade Dragon who lost her four dragon children when they became rivers to help the thirsty people. Jade Dragon then proceeded to become the dark and dreary Jade River and left her dark, sad heart behind as a black rock mountain that will not give any vegetation whatsoever.

So Minli's parents, Ba and Ma, work hard everyday to be able to have a few grains of rice to live on when they return to the little humble shack they share with Minli. Everyday after their meager dinner, Minli's father, Ba, tells her wonderful stories of the dragons, the outside world, and the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answers to all questions. After coming to realize that Ba and Ma work ever so hard and never are able to rest, Minli decides to find the Old Man of the Moon in order to ask him some questions and hopefully bring a better fortune back to her home. Minli's epic journey has many touches of magic full of hope. The list of fantastic characters she encounters includes a flightless dragon who becomes a dear friend. Minli does find a better fortune for her family, but in a way that is not quite expected.

This story is made more endearing because it is steeped in Chinese culture. The stories sprinkled throughout the book are inspired by traditional Chinese folk tales and are tied together with a magical red thread of fantasy which make the journey that much more interesting and appealing. Lin's use of musical alliteration also adds to the story's appeal. The art in the book, which reminds the reader of Tang Dynasty paintings with added vibrancy, takes the reader's eyes to these fantastical places and brings the characters out of the story for a better view!