This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver
In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.
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"This is such a fantastic book! Also, as a read-aloud, it was a very smooth read and I found myself wanting to continue reading chapter after chapter. Of course, my daughter loved that because she didn't want me to stop either. It has life lessons, mystery, fantasy, and stories within the story. I would recommend this to anyone, young and old. In my opinion the read alone level is probably 5th or 6th grade and up."
— Laura (5 out of 5 stars)
" I first heard this book in fourth grade and loved it. The way the author can make you feel is awesome. "
— kermit the frog, 2/19/2021" One of this year's Sunshine State Readers. It was wonderful! I loved how all the stories within the story tied together, and that most were based on Chinese folklore. I also loved the illustrations and that they were modeled from photos of China and Chinese woodcut style art. I laughed at parts, and even cried. I think this is one that I will be recommending to my students this year! "
— Steff, 2/18/2014" LOVED IT :) I loved how the story was told using Asian folktales. I loved the true meaning of happiness and I agree! Great story for 4th grade - adulthood! "
— Megan, 2/18/2014" Nice story...I have enjoyed all of Grace Lin's books...my favorite story was the story of how the moon got in the sky and the overall theme of being thankful for what you have was lovely:-) Another great story by Grace Lin! "
— Debbie, 2/17/2014" This was a lovely story about a brave little girl who decides to change her family's fortune by seeking the Old Man in the Moon, and, along the way, encounters a series of mythical adventures (a dragon, a green tiger, a village watered by moon rain). This would be a great book to share with children. "
— Rosalyn, 1/29/2014" This book is about a little girl who grows up in a very poor village. The little girl and her family do not have a very good life, but they find comfort in listening to the father's folktales. The folktales include stories about magical creatures, such as dragons and the Old Man of the Moon who can answer any question. The little girl sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon in hopes to change the families fortune. This book is filled with adventure and highs and lows. It as a pretty good book, but not my favorite because I am not a fan of the fantasy genre. However, this book would be great in the classroom for students who are interested in the genre and could teaching them a lot of interesting folktales. "
— Jill, 1/22/2014" A pleasant enough fairy tale about a little girl who leaves her home to change her family's fortune. Not sure why it was a Newbery runner-up though. "
— Nancy, 1/21/2014" A beautiful story within a story. Contains Chinese folk tales that weave themselves seamlessly into the story. Wonderful as an audiobook! "
— Jennifer, 1/17/2014" it was a sweet book. it's really nice. Lin's writing style is lovely, and the plot was good. The endomg was sweet as well. The art inside it is beautiful. I can't explain it, I just love this book :) "
— Ana, 1/16/2014" I loved reading this book. The pictures really added to the book. "
— Bethany, 1/6/2014" Fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore. Beautiful illustrations. Stories within the story dragged on a bit, but overall very nice with a good message. "
— Lorna, 1/4/2014" never get tired of fairy tales, and this book is sweet, lovely and pretty amazing. "
— Flaneur, 12/30/2013" Great read aloud! Wonderful opportunities to teach similies, friendship and so much more! "
— Jodylynne, 12/23/2013" Lin has taken traditional Chinese tales and woven them into a touching story, complete with beautiful illustrations. "
— Abigail, 11/9/2013" I loved the lessons that were taught and the story was so great! Quick read and loved it! "
— Kaylyn, 8/13/2013" Great book--I couldn't put this one down! The illustrations added another layer to the story, which draws you in with believable characters. I've always been a fan of folktales, and the way these are woven into the story make for a magical interlude between the past and present. Lin has a new fan! "
— techchick94, 7/21/2013" Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of happiness, family, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless adventure story in the classic tradition of The Wizard of Oz. "
— Dawn, 6/16/2013" great book. dont read the back of this book though it makes it sound really boring but its actually my favorite book now "
— Emmaly, 4/25/2013" Beautiful story. My 9 year old daughter read it first and loved it. I read it to my 7 year old daughter upon her sister's recommendation. This will be one we keep on the bookshelf to read again. "
— Sarah, 10/30/2012" I just loved the way that she was able to just grab me in ever page! And I do think that Minli made a very wise decision on which question she was going ask the old men of the moon and I just can't wait to read the second one!!!!!!!!!! "
— Lily, 10/23/2012" awesome, sweet , it gets a 2-5 in funniness a should read "
— Gracie, 8/3/2012" Loved this book. I am very excited to introduce it to my children. It has been beautifully written and has a wonderful message. "
— Brooke, 5/25/2012" This book was really nice, but it was also really simple to understand and probably was meant for a 5th grader, I of course didn't know that and continued reading it. However, it was a good book. "
— Gaea, 5/1/2012" Absolutely terrific - strong female protagonist, fantastical adventure, themes of family and gratitude. Great all around! "
— Beth, 3/21/2012" This was lovely. I stayed up really late one night in Dublin reading this and it just felt like a big hug. Good for kids who love fairy tales, would be a great read-aloud. "
— Ellie, 12/22/2011" If I could give it more than five, I would give it ten. It was amazing! "
— Brian, 8/28/2011" One book, one school reading project for our children. It was well written and the messages behind the story line were good lessons for our children to learn. There was enough variety in the plot to keep both of the children's interests peeked. We enjoyed reading it as a family also. "
— Alicia, 6/30/2011" Such a great book. Adventure, a quest, talking goldfish, timeless lessons learned, and a dragon. How could you ask for more? "
— Stephanie, 5/20/2011" Borrowed this from my 8 year old. What a beautiful story. I loved all the stories within the story. "
— Michelle, 5/19/2011" A story within a story within a story... <br/> <br/>I loved this book. There was a point where I thought of The Wizard of Oz, but only for a moment. The story just unfolds and deepens and connects on so many levels. The writing is impeccable and the message - thankfulness - is priceless. "
— Sharon, 5/18/2011" pretty good. i've read it too many times. "
— Sophia, 5/15/2011" Very fun and cute book. I loved how the stories that the characters tell are woven into the plot of the book. "
— Rachel, 5/13/2011" I think that this was a really good fantasy and adventure book . I would recommend it to anyone in the fifth or sixth grade who needs a book to read. At first I checked it out because I had nothing else to read and thought it would be terrible but it's actually really good. "
— Kate, 5/12/2011" I loved the lessons that were taught and the story was so great! Quick read and loved it! "
— Kaylyn, 5/11/2011" Popping in to recommend this one. The most viscerally pleasing book I've read in ages. Just holding the book in my hands and flipping through the pages was a delight. The story is enchanting. (Meant to be read from the actual book, not from an eReader.) "
— Heather, 5/10/2011" I absoulutely love this book. I'm currently reading the story to my 5th grade class as a read aloud. The story is about a young girl, Minli, who is on a quest to provide a better life for her family. She encounters new land and meets new friends who are helpful in her journey. "
— Monaquintana, 5/1/2011" This is a novel that will make an impression in many ways, and will absolutely inspire pride and acceptance. It is a wonderfully crafted story with wonderful imagination, and shares a lesson on the meaning of life, and what brings lasting happiness. I also always appreciate a multicultural tale. "
— Erika, 4/29/2011" Very nice to read a fairy tale/fantasy novel from a different culture. It seems like everything in that vein is knights in shining armour and castles--this was similar to "The Book of a Thousand Days" in giving readers a taste of an Asian culture. "
— Ms., 4/29/2011" I found this story to be delightful! Full of surprises and magical happenings, with a strong female character leading the way. It is great choice as a pick for multicultural literature for children. "
— Anna, 4/27/2011Grace Lin is the bestselling author and illustrator of over thirty books, including A Big Mooncake for Little Star, which was a Caldecott Honor Book, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, a Newbery Honor Book, among other titles. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Visit her at gracelin.com.
Janet Song is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards and was named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of 2008. Recent audiobooks include Euna Lee’s The World is Bigger Now and Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls. She lives and works in Southern California as an actor on stage and screen.