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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
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. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.
--publisher's description
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. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.
--publisher's description
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,212 reviews
February 6, 2024
Exquisite
Minli, a young girl, toils relentlessly every day, working the unforgiving, barren land, and making dinner for her family. Her family just barely has enough rice, and her mother is always sighing with discontent. Her father fills Minli with tales, and one day Minli goes on an epic quest to find The Old Man of the Moon to change her fortune. Along the way, she will meet a variety of characters including a dragon.
This is the first fantasy book that I have ever read that has made me cry multiple times. This book was so incredibly moving. It has all of the things that I love: great storytelling, strong female characters doing important things (not talking about boys), incredibly moving, imaginative, and original. It has several stories within the main story teaching a moral lesson, many of them very beautiful.
Look at that cover! It is one of the most beautiful covers that I have ever seen. Where the Mountain Meets to Moon has a lot of short chapters and short paragraphs which keeps the story flowing.
Overall, this book is a must-read fantasy book! I’m already looking forward to reading this again.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
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Minli, a young girl, toils relentlessly every day, working the unforgiving, barren land, and making dinner for her family. Her family just barely has enough rice, and her mother is always sighing with discontent. Her father fills Minli with tales, and one day Minli goes on an epic quest to find The Old Man of the Moon to change her fortune. Along the way, she will meet a variety of characters including a dragon.
This is the first fantasy book that I have ever read that has made me cry multiple times. This book was so incredibly moving. It has all of the things that I love: great storytelling, strong female characters doing important things (not talking about boys), incredibly moving, imaginative, and original. It has several stories within the main story teaching a moral lesson, many of them very beautiful.
Look at that cover! It is one of the most beautiful covers that I have ever seen. Where the Mountain Meets to Moon has a lot of short chapters and short paragraphs which keeps the story flowing.
Overall, this book is a must-read fantasy book! I’m already looking forward to reading this again.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
November 21, 2009
When an author wants to write their first fantasy novel for children, they'll sometimes fall back on the books they themselves loved as kids. If they were Alice in Wonderland fans they might go the route of Neil Gaiman's Coraline. If they were partial to The Wizard of Oz they could do as Salman Rushdie did when he wrote Haroun and the Sea of Stories. As Grace Lin explains in her Author's Note to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, some of the books she read at eleven were dozens upon dozens of Chinese folktale and fairytale stories. With her customary cleverness Lin has now taken the essence of those tales and woven them into a quest novel that is a mix of contemporary smart girl pizzazz and the feel of a classic that your parents were read as children. If there's any author out there today with the potential of being remembered and beloved 100 years down the line, Grace Lin has my vote.
Poor in the valley of Fruitless Mountain, young Minli and her family earn their daily rice by working and scraping in the fields near their home. Her sole joy comes at night when her father tells her wonderful stories of far away places. One day Minli buys a goldfish to improve her fortunes, but when her mother sees her "foolish" purchase, Minli frees the fish and sets it in the river. Little does she suspect that this single act will give her the impetus to seek her family's fortune by leaving to find the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way Minli makes friends and outwits foes in her attempt to help not just herself but those she loves and cares about.
The aforementioned Haroun and the Sea of Stories was the book I kept thinking about when I was reading, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. As in Lin's novel, Rushdie attempts to reawaken that feeling you get when you read a quest novel where disparate characters band together and become friends along the way. The thing is, Lin has been cleverer than Rushdie here. While his novel was essentially an Oz redux, Lin's world combines old stories and classic myths to come up with something that seems entirely new. The feel of this book has similarities to Oz, in that you feel you are in a safe space when you read this tale. Small children will not be frightened when this is read to them while older kids will relate to Minli and understand what makes her want to run away.
In Lin's previous (and younger) novels for kids (The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat) she breaks up the text regularly with stories that are pertinent to the action, as well as wonderful little vignettes. While doing so, she impresses you with her writing. Phrases stick in a person's brain, like "The forest was full of shapes and shadows and only barely could he see the faint footprints on the ground - it was like searching for a wrinkle in a flower petal." Lin also conjures up visuals. In one village, each villager cuts a bit of cloth from their own clothes to provide Minli with a warm coat. When she leaves, she waves goodbye. "As she watched the sea of ruined sleeves flutter at her, she realized it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen." And she has so perfectly incorporated real legends and fables too. Generally Lin's interpretations of the tales sound like her own inventions. Only once in a while do you get a glimpse of the old tale behind her words. When the Old Man of the Moon changes a man's fate by turning the number 19 into 91 with a simple flick of a brush, one can assume he's not doing it to numbers as we see them, but as a reader you simply do not care.
One of the other remarkable things about the book is that the story isn't just Minli's journey we're watching but the emotional journey of her mother. From scraping harpy into loving appreciative person, we see this change come about thanks to her grief. How many quest tales can you think about where you cut between the protagonist and their healthy relatives at home? Even if it happens, the relatives are usually in some kind of dire straits. Not here. The biggest problems dealt with in these passages is the loneliness of the parents. And for some kids, this will be a relief. To know that the parents are still safe and sound. To see how much they care for their absent daughter, even while she's off having adventures. There's a kind of tacit understanding at work here. No matter how far you go, your parents will still be back at your home waiting for you. No matter what.
Lin has always been an artist, so it's little surprise that she has illustrated this book. What is new is that the pictures aren't the usual pen and ink spot illustrations. Little Brown shelled out some cold hard cash to make sure that each picture in this book is lush and lovely. While still recognizably her style, the art in this book is not as young as her work on, say, Lissy's Friends or Where on Earth is My Bagel. There's a sophistication here that we've never seen before. For example, the initial view of Fruitless Mountain keeps a finger on what is kid-friendly, but also hints at the history of Chinese art and design at the same time. And in the text there are spot illustrations true, but even these are colorful. My sole regret is how small the book is. Someday it would be nice to see this title in a full lap-sized edition for easier reading. The better to appreciate the pictures, I think.
Sometimes it's just nice to read something to your kids that's beautiful. Holding Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is like holding a small treasure. A little piece of art. A graceful departure from the younger books she has done before, Lin mixes great writing with even greater kid-appeal and comes up with a story that everyone can enjoy. Boys and girls, kids and parents, everyone will like what they find here. How many books can you say that of off the top of your head?
Ages 7-12.
Poor in the valley of Fruitless Mountain, young Minli and her family earn their daily rice by working and scraping in the fields near their home. Her sole joy comes at night when her father tells her wonderful stories of far away places. One day Minli buys a goldfish to improve her fortunes, but when her mother sees her "foolish" purchase, Minli frees the fish and sets it in the river. Little does she suspect that this single act will give her the impetus to seek her family's fortune by leaving to find the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way Minli makes friends and outwits foes in her attempt to help not just herself but those she loves and cares about.
The aforementioned Haroun and the Sea of Stories was the book I kept thinking about when I was reading, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. As in Lin's novel, Rushdie attempts to reawaken that feeling you get when you read a quest novel where disparate characters band together and become friends along the way. The thing is, Lin has been cleverer than Rushdie here. While his novel was essentially an Oz redux, Lin's world combines old stories and classic myths to come up with something that seems entirely new. The feel of this book has similarities to Oz, in that you feel you are in a safe space when you read this tale. Small children will not be frightened when this is read to them while older kids will relate to Minli and understand what makes her want to run away.
In Lin's previous (and younger) novels for kids (The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat) she breaks up the text regularly with stories that are pertinent to the action, as well as wonderful little vignettes. While doing so, she impresses you with her writing. Phrases stick in a person's brain, like "The forest was full of shapes and shadows and only barely could he see the faint footprints on the ground - it was like searching for a wrinkle in a flower petal." Lin also conjures up visuals. In one village, each villager cuts a bit of cloth from their own clothes to provide Minli with a warm coat. When she leaves, she waves goodbye. "As she watched the sea of ruined sleeves flutter at her, she realized it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen." And she has so perfectly incorporated real legends and fables too. Generally Lin's interpretations of the tales sound like her own inventions. Only once in a while do you get a glimpse of the old tale behind her words. When the Old Man of the Moon changes a man's fate by turning the number 19 into 91 with a simple flick of a brush, one can assume he's not doing it to numbers as we see them, but as a reader you simply do not care.
One of the other remarkable things about the book is that the story isn't just Minli's journey we're watching but the emotional journey of her mother. From scraping harpy into loving appreciative person, we see this change come about thanks to her grief. How many quest tales can you think about where you cut between the protagonist and their healthy relatives at home? Even if it happens, the relatives are usually in some kind of dire straits. Not here. The biggest problems dealt with in these passages is the loneliness of the parents. And for some kids, this will be a relief. To know that the parents are still safe and sound. To see how much they care for their absent daughter, even while she's off having adventures. There's a kind of tacit understanding at work here. No matter how far you go, your parents will still be back at your home waiting for you. No matter what.
Lin has always been an artist, so it's little surprise that she has illustrated this book. What is new is that the pictures aren't the usual pen and ink spot illustrations. Little Brown shelled out some cold hard cash to make sure that each picture in this book is lush and lovely. While still recognizably her style, the art in this book is not as young as her work on, say, Lissy's Friends or Where on Earth is My Bagel. There's a sophistication here that we've never seen before. For example, the initial view of Fruitless Mountain keeps a finger on what is kid-friendly, but also hints at the history of Chinese art and design at the same time. And in the text there are spot illustrations true, but even these are colorful. My sole regret is how small the book is. Someday it would be nice to see this title in a full lap-sized edition for easier reading. The better to appreciate the pictures, I think.
Sometimes it's just nice to read something to your kids that's beautiful. Holding Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is like holding a small treasure. A little piece of art. A graceful departure from the younger books she has done before, Lin mixes great writing with even greater kid-appeal and comes up with a story that everyone can enjoy. Boys and girls, kids and parents, everyone will like what they find here. How many books can you say that of off the top of your head?
Ages 7-12.
June 6, 2011
My five stars might be misleading. I don't think I would have enjoyed this half as much reading it to myself as I did reading it aloud slowly over many nights with an utterly enchanted seven-year-old hanging on every word. It's a magical quest story woven of Chinese folk tales and the author's own imagination, with bits of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz thrown in as well. There are a few passages that are near quotations, apparently an homage to Baum's classic which I'm guessing was a favorite of Lin's as a child. The illustrations, also by Lin, are exquisite.
May 4, 2020
This... this is one of the most beautiful middle grade books I have ever read.
Minli lives in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain with her very poor parents. Her father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, filling her head with ideas of how they could possibly change their family fortune. One day, Minli discovers the way to the Old Man of the Moon and decides to leave her parents to see if she can find him. On the way, she meets a dragon that can't fly, kings, tigers, and so much more.
Oh where do I begin with what I loved about this book? This is imbued with gorgeously-told Chinese folktales that are both original and inspired by actual Chinese folktales the author, Grace Lin, has heard over the years. They're so wonderfully integrated in the story and provides a sort of path for Minli, our protagonist.
The characters in this are so full of wonder. Minli is a fantastic character to follow because she's curious and learns so much on her adventure to the Old Man in the Moon. The dragon that can't fly who accompanies her, called Dragon, adds another fantastical element to this story as we meet monkeys and kings and buffalo boys and lucky twins and green tigers, oh my!
I was floored by the emotion and passion behind these stories and characters and all the messages and morals that are learned are so beautiful, when I reached the end, I wanted to begin again on page one so I could learn all those lessons all over again. It took 11 years to discover this book but I'm so glad my red thread finally led me to this wonderful, wonderful book!
Minli lives in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain with her very poor parents. Her father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, filling her head with ideas of how they could possibly change their family fortune. One day, Minli discovers the way to the Old Man of the Moon and decides to leave her parents to see if she can find him. On the way, she meets a dragon that can't fly, kings, tigers, and so much more.
Oh where do I begin with what I loved about this book? This is imbued with gorgeously-told Chinese folktales that are both original and inspired by actual Chinese folktales the author, Grace Lin, has heard over the years. They're so wonderfully integrated in the story and provides a sort of path for Minli, our protagonist.
The characters in this are so full of wonder. Minli is a fantastic character to follow because she's curious and learns so much on her adventure to the Old Man in the Moon. The dragon that can't fly who accompanies her, called Dragon, adds another fantastical element to this story as we meet monkeys and kings and buffalo boys and lucky twins and green tigers, oh my!
I was floored by the emotion and passion behind these stories and characters and all the messages and morals that are learned are so beautiful, when I reached the end, I wanted to begin again on page one so I could learn all those lessons all over again. It took 11 years to discover this book but I'm so glad my red thread finally led me to this wonderful, wonderful book!
August 8, 2024
Minli lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain where life is very hard. But Minli’s dad found a way to make life better for her. He tells her stories every night, like the one about the Old Man of the Moon. One day, Minli decides to go on a journey to the top of Never-Ending Mountain, where the Old Man of the Moon lives, in the hopes of bringing some much-needed good fortune back to her home. And it turns out she’s not the only one who wants to go looking for him.
The little short stories we get to read throughout this story are all folktales. They not only set the tone for what kind of story this is from the beginning, but they also manage to complement Minli’s main storyline very nicely. The illustrations are quite simple but lovely and effective, elevating the story without overshadowing it.
Minli as a character is perhaps a bit childishly naïve, but she’s also quite clever. And she’s a very sweet person who only wants the best for the people she likes and loves. She aspires to help people and even creatures she meets along the way because of her good and kind nature, not because she expects something from them in return. Which makes the recipients of her kindness very grateful and even more willing to help her. This is one of the valuable themes, along with others like greed and the pursuit of happiness for example, that you can find at the core of this story.
One thing of note is that Minli sometimes finds a solution to the problem at hand a bit too quickly and easily. But this doesn’t distract from the story and is very suitable for the young target audience.
When my friend Rosh recommends me something, I pretty much know I’m in for a treat. This was not an exception. This is an adventurous book full of rich fantasy world building, great characters, and stories full of powerful and important themes. Thanks for recommending me this book, Rosh.
The little short stories we get to read throughout this story are all folktales. They not only set the tone for what kind of story this is from the beginning, but they also manage to complement Minli’s main storyline very nicely. The illustrations are quite simple but lovely and effective, elevating the story without overshadowing it.
Minli as a character is perhaps a bit childishly naïve, but she’s also quite clever. And she’s a very sweet person who only wants the best for the people she likes and loves. She aspires to help people and even creatures she meets along the way because of her good and kind nature, not because she expects something from them in return. Which makes the recipients of her kindness very grateful and even more willing to help her. This is one of the valuable themes, along with others like greed and the pursuit of happiness for example, that you can find at the core of this story.
One thing of note is that Minli sometimes finds a solution to the problem at hand a bit too quickly and easily. But this doesn’t distract from the story and is very suitable for the young target audience.
When my friend Rosh recommends me something, I pretty much know I’m in for a treat. This was not an exception. This is an adventurous book full of rich fantasy world building, great characters, and stories full of powerful and important themes. Thanks for recommending me this book, Rosh.
Want to read
April 29, 2024had me at my favorite person's childhood favorite
February 16, 2018
I loved this book. I love learning about myths from the Asian culture. I love how the blurb related this to the Wizard of Oz, and I can see that relationship. MeiLi is on a quest, a journey. Like Dorothy, she realizes she doesn't need anything from an outside source. She has the power within.
This is such a lovely tone. The culture is celebrated and the importance of family is here and I love how nature plays into the story so intricately. I enjoy the people she meets along the way and the story with the monkeys made me laugh. That was a great resolve the book did. They characters were unique and distinct. I thought this was well executed.
I will be reading more books by Grace Lin. This was fantastic for anyone who loves Mythology.
This is such a lovely tone. The culture is celebrated and the importance of family is here and I love how nature plays into the story so intricately. I enjoy the people she meets along the way and the story with the monkeys made me laugh. That was a great resolve the book did. They characters were unique and distinct. I thought this was well executed.
I will be reading more books by Grace Lin. This was fantastic for anyone who loves Mythology.
July 1, 2021
7.00 on CAWPILE
April 17, 2012
2010: I am completely floored by this book. It is perfect on so many levels: at the beginning I was reading it with my three-year-old son in mind (he has a crush on the picture of Grace Lin on the back flap), and the text seemed simple enough for him to understand and enjoy the book. But by the end, I was reading for me, having forgotten all about my son, and I was thinking that every mother should read this book. When I buy it (this was a library copy), my son will have to fight me for it.
I loved the way that folktales came to life in this book, and the stories throughout (especially the way they connected) and the pictures. The only thing I didn't like was the font that the little stories were in. Oh, and the fact that this book didn't win the Newbery Medal. Seriously, I'm kind of mad about that—not that it's up to me, a lowly nobody in the middle of nowhere, but this book was so beautifully done in word, story, and message that When You Reach Me (which I also enjoyed, but in a different way) seems a bit frivolous beside it now.
I loved the way that folktales came to life in this book, and the stories throughout (especially the way they connected) and the pictures. The only thing I didn't like was the font that the little stories were in. Oh, and the fact that this book didn't win the Newbery Medal. Seriously, I'm kind of mad about that—not that it's up to me, a lowly nobody in the middle of nowhere, but this book was so beautifully done in word, story, and message that When You Reach Me (which I also enjoyed, but in a different way) seems a bit frivolous beside it now.
September 30, 2020
4.5-5 stars
This was such a cute story! I really liked how there were multiple folktales told that helped the story along. It really brought some understanding to why some characters were important or brought history to the present in the story. There wasn’t any unnecessary romance either. It can happen when there is a female main character. The story takes on multiple avenues but are brought together by the journeys of the main character and her parents learning what the definition of fortune is to them. It’s a wonderful audio and physical book.
This was such a cute story! I really liked how there were multiple folktales told that helped the story along. It really brought some understanding to why some characters were important or brought history to the present in the story. There wasn’t any unnecessary romance either. It can happen when there is a female main character. The story takes on multiple avenues but are brought together by the journeys of the main character and her parents learning what the definition of fortune is to them. It’s a wonderful audio and physical book.
July 22, 2020
A little girl, Minly, who stays in a poor dusty village without allowing her poverty to dampen her inner exuberance;
A mother who has allowed her expectations to ruin her contentment;
A father who looks beyond his lowly existence with his magical stories;
A lonely dragon who has a deep-seated discontent because he can't fly;
A family who seems to have the secret of perennial happiness even in times of trouble;
A tiger who can't let go of his anger even if it destroys him;
A wise Old Man who knows how to manoeuvre the fortunes of people with his endless strings, ...
What brings these motley mix of characters together is this beautiful little book, "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon". Authored by Grace Lin, the book is a brilliant reimagination of Chinese folk tales she heard during her childhood.
Little Minly's dreams of bringing happiness to her family, her brave journey into the unknown, her friendly nature, her tendency to be understanding and helpful: all these make her a very effective protagonist and role model for children. At the same time, she does run away from home (albeit with the good intention of helping her family), so let's be a bit careful about speaking against this while handing the book over to your kids. 😊
The essence of China is present throughout the story. In fact, it isn't just one story but there are stories within stories, and this latter fact is a great asset if you are looking for a read-aloud book for your children. A lovely potpourri of human and fantastical elements, it is sure to delight your little ones.
A beautiful line that stayed with me even after ending the book was "You only lose what you cling to." Children's fiction is such a tremendous source of joy and learning, isn't it? This book is recommended for all middle readers (9 and above) and for those of us who are still children at heart.
********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
A mother who has allowed her expectations to ruin her contentment;
A father who looks beyond his lowly existence with his magical stories;
A lonely dragon who has a deep-seated discontent because he can't fly;
A family who seems to have the secret of perennial happiness even in times of trouble;
A tiger who can't let go of his anger even if it destroys him;
A wise Old Man who knows how to manoeuvre the fortunes of people with his endless strings, ...
What brings these motley mix of characters together is this beautiful little book, "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon". Authored by Grace Lin, the book is a brilliant reimagination of Chinese folk tales she heard during her childhood.
Little Minly's dreams of bringing happiness to her family, her brave journey into the unknown, her friendly nature, her tendency to be understanding and helpful: all these make her a very effective protagonist and role model for children. At the same time, she does run away from home (albeit with the good intention of helping her family), so let's be a bit careful about speaking against this while handing the book over to your kids. 😊
The essence of China is present throughout the story. In fact, it isn't just one story but there are stories within stories, and this latter fact is a great asset if you are looking for a read-aloud book for your children. A lovely potpourri of human and fantastical elements, it is sure to delight your little ones.
A beautiful line that stayed with me even after ending the book was "You only lose what you cling to." Children's fiction is such a tremendous source of joy and learning, isn't it? This book is recommended for all middle readers (9 and above) and for those of us who are still children at heart.
********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
July 7, 2017
¡Me ha encantado! Al principio me recordaba mucho a 'El mago de Oz' o 'Alicia en el país de las maravillas' pero rápidamente va cogiendo su propio y único estilo.
Está escrito a modo de fábula o cuento tradicional, con un mensaje final precioso y repleto de leyendas chinas reales e inventadas.
Una delicia de historia acompañada de las preciosas ilustraciones que también realizó la autora ♥
Está escrito a modo de fábula o cuento tradicional, con un mensaje final precioso y repleto de leyendas chinas reales e inventadas.
Una delicia de historia acompañada de las preciosas ilustraciones que también realizó la autora ♥
February 14, 2020
I highly recommend this one! Delightful story and great morals, so a nice one to grab for your next family read-aloud!
Watch my video where I explain why this one is a good choice!
#geography #asia #china #culture
Ages: 7 - 12
Cleanliness
Children's Bad Words
Name Calling - 5 Incidents: dogs, fool, puffed-up frogs, stupid
Religious Profanities - 1 Incident: thank goodness
Religious & Supernatural: See Conversation Topics.
Romance Related - 3 Incidents: A boy comes across a girl bathing in the water. He puts her clothes next to the shore (that his pet had moved) and turned around so she could dress. A boy says that when he's old enough, he wants to talk his friend (a girl) into staying forever with him. "He reached inside the breast of his shirt."
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Violence - None
Conversation Topics - 3 Incidents: This book is a collection of fairy-tale-like stories and legends of how things came to be (such as the rivers and the stars) and includes dragons, fortune tellers, a Book of Fortune that contains all that will ever come to pass, briefly mentions gods, spirits of the ancestors, miracle growing sticks, etc. Mentions wine. Not satisfied with what he has, a man leaves/abandons his wife and family to see what else he might attain (not portrayed positively).
Parent Takeaway
A girl sets out to change her's and her parent's fortune as they are very poor. Along the way, she makes friends and learns many lessons about character. When faced with a difficult decision at the end, she chooses her friend over herself and realizes that her and her family have everything they need. It is all a matter of perspective and one's attitude. This lesson her mother learns too while her daughter is away.
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Watch my video where I explain why this one is a good choice!
#geography #asia #china #culture
Ages: 7 - 12
Cleanliness
Children's Bad Words
Name Calling - 5 Incidents: dogs, fool, puffed-up frogs, stupid
Religious Profanities - 1 Incident: thank goodness
Religious & Supernatural: See Conversation Topics.
Romance Related - 3 Incidents: A boy comes across a girl bathing in the water. He puts her clothes next to the shore (that his pet had moved) and turned around so she could dress. A boy says that when he's old enough, he wants to talk his friend (a girl) into staying forever with him. "He reached inside the breast of his shirt."
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Violence - None
Conversation Topics - 3 Incidents: This book is a collection of fairy-tale-like stories and legends of how things came to be (such as the rivers and the stars) and includes dragons, fortune tellers, a Book of Fortune that contains all that will ever come to pass, briefly mentions gods, spirits of the ancestors, miracle growing sticks, etc. Mentions wine. Not satisfied with what he has, a man leaves/abandons his wife and family to see what else he might attain (not portrayed positively).
Parent Takeaway
A girl sets out to change her's and her parent's fortune as they are very poor. Along the way, she makes friends and learns many lessons about character. When faced with a difficult decision at the end, she chooses her friend over herself and realizes that her and her family have everything they need. It is all a matter of perspective and one's attitude. This lesson her mother learns too while her daughter is away.
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December 17, 2023
مثل این بود که خودت رو در معرضِ جریانی از کودکی و پاکی و معصوم��ت قرار بدی، مجموعهای از همهی چیزهایی که از ادبیات کودک میخواهیم.
February 23, 2017
This book was beautifully written. I found it as much a delight to read as my little one did to have it read to her.
Minli is a young girl that lives in a poor village in rural China. Under the gloomy shadow of a barren mountain, she and her family toil and drudge to just barely scrape by. She watches as her mother grows more and more discontent with their lot in life, until finally Minli decides to ask the Old Man of the Moon how their fortune can be improved.
What follows is a touching, intelligent adventure. I was skeptical of the Wizard of Oz comparison, but it is apt. This book is an instant classic, and I am so glad I got to share it with my daughter.
Filled with fleshed-out characters and numerous "story within a story" interludes, this book walks that fine knife's edge: teaching moral lessons while never seeming preachy or ham-fisted about it.
If you want to bring some joy into your and/or your child's life, come join Minli in her quest to Never-Ending Mountain. You may just come back seeing the world with new eyes.
Minli is a young girl that lives in a poor village in rural China. Under the gloomy shadow of a barren mountain, she and her family toil and drudge to just barely scrape by. She watches as her mother grows more and more discontent with their lot in life, until finally Minli decides to ask the Old Man of the Moon how their fortune can be improved.
What follows is a touching, intelligent adventure. I was skeptical of the Wizard of Oz comparison, but it is apt. This book is an instant classic, and I am so glad I got to share it with my daughter.
Filled with fleshed-out characters and numerous "story within a story" interludes, this book walks that fine knife's edge: teaching moral lessons while never seeming preachy or ham-fisted about it.
If you want to bring some joy into your and/or your child's life, come join Minli in her quest to Never-Ending Mountain. You may just come back seeing the world with new eyes.
January 28, 2018
و باز هم داستان اميد كه پايانى برايش نيست كه لذتى بيش از حدى كه در قالب كلمات وصف شود، با خود به همراه دارد
March 6, 2017
Read via Overdrive app from the "Try something different" section. :)
Narrator *Janet Song*;: 3.5 stars, pleasant voice and good job narrating the story but her voices for different characters sometimes didn't sound all that different.
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A beautiful and heartwarming (with a couple teary moments) tale. Simply but elegantly written, the characters feel like old friends fairly quickly and worm their way into your heart.
I don't know what else to say except I enjoyed this one very much. It is written for a younger audience but can be enjoyed by adults as well.
Would recommend :)
Narrator *Janet Song*;: 3.5 stars, pleasant voice and good job narrating the story but her voices for different characters sometimes didn't sound all that different.
---
A beautiful and heartwarming (with a couple teary moments) tale. Simply but elegantly written, the characters feel like old friends fairly quickly and worm their way into your heart.
I don't know what else to say except I enjoyed this one very much. It is written for a younger audience but can be enjoyed by adults as well.
Would recommend :)
November 13, 2020
Believathon, Book 9: FINGERPRINTS
Ever since I bought a copy of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and looked at it on my shelf, I immediately start singing the title to the tune of ‘All Is Found’ from Frozen 2, specifically the line ‘where the north wind meets the seeeeaaaaa...’ This has nothing to do with my thoughts on the books, but I feel like other people should be gifted with this ear worm, so you’re welcome.
The book itself was like a wonderful little parcel of magic, adventure and family. Throughout Minli’s journey we’re given short stories inspired by Chinese folktales and mythology that in turn inspire the direction of the narrative. It’s all so whimsical and wholesome. Whilst the overall lesson to be learned from the journey itself is a little obvious from the outset, that does not detract away from the enjoyment of getting there. Minli and Dragon’s friendship was so precious and I loved every moment that I got to spend with them.
This is one I’ll be returning to for sure!
Ever since I bought a copy of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and looked at it on my shelf, I immediately start singing the title to the tune of ‘All Is Found’ from Frozen 2, specifically the line ‘where the north wind meets the seeeeaaaaa...’ This has nothing to do with my thoughts on the books, but I feel like other people should be gifted with this ear worm, so you’re welcome.
The book itself was like a wonderful little parcel of magic, adventure and family. Throughout Minli’s journey we’re given short stories inspired by Chinese folktales and mythology that in turn inspire the direction of the narrative. It’s all so whimsical and wholesome. Whilst the overall lesson to be learned from the journey itself is a little obvious from the outset, that does not detract away from the enjoyment of getting there. Minli and Dragon’s friendship was so precious and I loved every moment that I got to spend with them.
This is one I’ll be returning to for sure!
June 6, 2021
Minli lives with her parents at the bottom of the Fruitless Mountain. Every day they spend working the brown, muddy fields and every night her Ma sighs heavily at their lack of fortune while Ba tells stories of adventure. One day, on the advice of a goldfish, Minli sets out to change her family's fortune and meets a band of interesting folk along the way.
This reminded me a lot of The Empress of Salt and Fortune in the tone and way it was written. It's based on traditional Chinese folktales, and the main story splits off into multiple interwoven tales. The stories are told by various characters in the same way that these traditional texts would have been told, and this only adds to the charm of the novel. Add in a fast pace and easy writing style, and I found myself having a grand old time.
I also really enjoyed all of the characters. Minli is headstrong, but kind and generous with it. The Dragon is good hearted, selfless and brave. We have the enigmatic Old Man that seeps into all the folk stories too, as though he is a red thread that binds everything together.
A wonderful introduction into Chinese mythology with the added flair and creative touch of an author who onviously loves and embraces their Asian culture. I can't wait to pick up the companion novel.
This reminded me a lot of The Empress of Salt and Fortune in the tone and way it was written. It's based on traditional Chinese folktales, and the main story splits off into multiple interwoven tales. The stories are told by various characters in the same way that these traditional texts would have been told, and this only adds to the charm of the novel. Add in a fast pace and easy writing style, and I found myself having a grand old time.
I also really enjoyed all of the characters. Minli is headstrong, but kind and generous with it. The Dragon is good hearted, selfless and brave. We have the enigmatic Old Man that seeps into all the folk stories too, as though he is a red thread that binds everything together.
A wonderful introduction into Chinese mythology with the added flair and creative touch of an author who onviously loves and embraces their Asian culture. I can't wait to pick up the companion novel.
September 4, 2012
We loved this book! Beyond the strength of the characters (Minli in striking out on her own to change her family's fortune, Ba in waiting and loving and hoping, and Ma in learning to seek forgiveness), there was a beauty to the writing that made reading it aloud a joy.
October 28, 2018
Bătrânul din Lună este povestea lui Minli, o fetiță curajoasă care, sătulă să își vadă tatăl muncind din greu și mama oftând de neputință, pleacă la drum, în căutarea bătrânului din Lună, un personaj din povești despre care se spune că știe tot și poate controla soarta oamenilor. Cu speranță și credință în suflet purcede într-o aventură care îi va scoate în cale dragoni, pești vorbitori și câteva creaturi rele, dar și oameni generoși, dispuși să îi asculte povestea și să o ajute. Cartea e plină de pilde pline de înțelepciune și sfaturi valoroase despre bunătate, prietenie și recunoștință, sfaturi de care ar trebui să ținem cont toți. Minunată cărticică! Ar trebui citită de toți copiii, dar și de adulți. Finalul este foarte înduioșător și m-a emoționat tare mult. Abia aștept să citesc și Râul înstelat al Cerului!
September 29, 2020
What a pleasure, what a joy. Every character shone, every story led to another, and of course the child found their fortune and the fruitless mountain became green again.
Loosely based on Chinese myth and folklore this is a carefully constructed tale wherein the central narrative of Minli seeking her fortune from The Old Man of the Moon constantly digresses into other stories and slowly and inexorably all of the stories come together, all of the threads are tied.
It reminded me of that great lost film Demon Pond where the collector of tales finds that he himself is part of the mythological cycle and the transcriber of the tale was always meant to be part of the story and had only arrived just in time -- isn't this why we read?
This makes a superior read-aloud as Grace Lin has not one word out of place.
Read aloud to me, by my grown daughter Anne in these barren and despairing days of 2020, but intended for children ages 6 - 12. Don't let that stop you.
I felt a joy, a lightening as the story made its way. This was comparable to the way I felt as a child reading Heidi or A Wrinkle in Time. Highly recommended to all - independent young readers, mothers and fathers, grandparents, classroom teachers, the lonely, the despairing.
A villain is encountered and death nearly comes - it is ok to whisper to the anxious child "not yet, not yet", all will be well.
Loosely based on Chinese myth and folklore this is a carefully constructed tale wherein the central narrative of Minli seeking her fortune from The Old Man of the Moon constantly digresses into other stories and slowly and inexorably all of the stories come together, all of the threads are tied.
It reminded me of that great lost film Demon Pond where the collector of tales finds that he himself is part of the mythological cycle and the transcriber of the tale was always meant to be part of the story and had only arrived just in time -- isn't this why we read?
This makes a superior read-aloud as Grace Lin has not one word out of place.
Read aloud to me, by my grown daughter Anne in these barren and despairing days of 2020, but intended for children ages 6 - 12. Don't let that stop you.
I felt a joy, a lightening as the story made its way. This was comparable to the way I felt as a child reading Heidi or A Wrinkle in Time. Highly recommended to all - independent young readers, mothers and fathers, grandparents, classroom teachers, the lonely, the despairing.
A villain is encountered and death nearly comes - it is ok to whisper to the anxious child "not yet, not yet", all will be well.
October 23, 2019
3.5 stars. This is one of my mom's favorite series, and I'm glad she introduced it to me, it's super enjoyable :D :D
I wanted more emotional depth / angst (which is usually my personal reaction to MG?? so not that unusual), but I still had lots of fun reading this. The descriptions were A++. ESPECIALLY THE FOOD MAH GASH *craves Chinese food* *can't have any right now* *cries*
I will say, the constant "stop the action so we can tell a fairytale explaining how X or Y came to be a Thing" got kinda annoying by the end. It's not a bad device, but I felt like the author overused it?
I wanted more emotional depth / angst (which is usually my personal reaction to MG?? so not that unusual), but I still had lots of fun reading this. The descriptions were A++. ESPECIALLY THE FOOD MAH GASH *craves Chinese food* *can't have any right now* *cries*
I will say, the constant "stop the action so we can tell a fairytale explaining how X or Y came to be a Thing" got kinda annoying by the end. It's not a bad device, but I felt like the author overused it?
January 30, 2018
I seem to be in the vast minority when it comes to this book -- everyone seems to love it, and the Newbury stamp on the cover just adds to its prestige. I, too, was expecting to love it, as I love mythology from all over the world and found the idea of an adventurous young girl embarking on a journey with a dragon to better her family fortune captivating. Sadly, while the book contains strong messages and weaves together several traditional stories of Chinese folklore, the writing itself is sadly bland, and the story lags terribly in the middle.
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" follows a young girl named Minli, who lives with her family in an extremely poor village in the valley of Fruitless Mountain. Minli and her parents work hard all day just to have enough to eat, but Minli is happy, for she has her father's stories about dragons and the Man in the Moon to comfort her. But all the same, she sees that her family's poverty is making her parents miserable, and so she sets off on a journey to find the Man in the Moon and ask him to change the family's fortunes. With a flightless dragon for company, she travels toward the Endless Mountain on a journey that will have her befriending kings and orphans, talking to fish and rabbits, confronting fearsome tigers and monkeys, and ultimately making a decision that will change her life forever...
My favorite aspect of this book was seeing real Chinese mythology woven into Minli's story, mostly in the form of her father's tales or stories related by people she meets along the way. I don't claim to be an expert on Chinese myth, but I've read some of the stories and was able to recognize several. I'm curious as to which of the stories in this book are actual folktales and which are inventions of the author, and it makes me want to learn more about the folklore and mythology of China. Which, I suppose, means this book has done its job. And the book has a good message at its heart -- that kindness will go a much longer way toward changing one's fortune than power or greed or scheming.
Also, the book is peppered with beautiful color illustrations, all of which are done in traditional Chinese styles. These livened up the book considerably, and made for an enchanting reading experience.
Sadly, the story itself lags, especially toward the middle. Grace Lin's writing can be lovely at times but is oddly inconsistent -- sometimes it was enchanting and other times it was quite clunky and bland. The story itself seems to wander, and lingers at odd points for longer than necessary. And at times it felt that the various folktales woven into the story didn't mesh well, and could have been incorporated into the story better.
It doesn't help that the characters themselves are fairly flat. Minli, despite being the main character, doesn't have much personality beyond being the usual "adorable precocious child" so ubiquitous in literature. Dragon is relegated to a personality-free sidekick, and the villain of the story is simply evil for evil's sake. Only Minli's mother sees any character development, and even then it's simply transforming from a nagging harpy to an agreeable wife... which has its own unfortunate implications. I understand that folktales weren't always renowned for their exemplary character development, but a novel adaptation of said folktales should do better, in my mind...
This certainly wasn't a terrible book, and can serve as a nice introduction to the unique and colorful world of Chinese mythology for young readers. I simply found it lacking in certain areas, and think it could have been improved on. Still, it's a fine read for younger readers, and the illustrations are a beautiful touch.
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" follows a young girl named Minli, who lives with her family in an extremely poor village in the valley of Fruitless Mountain. Minli and her parents work hard all day just to have enough to eat, but Minli is happy, for she has her father's stories about dragons and the Man in the Moon to comfort her. But all the same, she sees that her family's poverty is making her parents miserable, and so she sets off on a journey to find the Man in the Moon and ask him to change the family's fortunes. With a flightless dragon for company, she travels toward the Endless Mountain on a journey that will have her befriending kings and orphans, talking to fish and rabbits, confronting fearsome tigers and monkeys, and ultimately making a decision that will change her life forever...
My favorite aspect of this book was seeing real Chinese mythology woven into Minli's story, mostly in the form of her father's tales or stories related by people she meets along the way. I don't claim to be an expert on Chinese myth, but I've read some of the stories and was able to recognize several. I'm curious as to which of the stories in this book are actual folktales and which are inventions of the author, and it makes me want to learn more about the folklore and mythology of China. Which, I suppose, means this book has done its job. And the book has a good message at its heart -- that kindness will go a much longer way toward changing one's fortune than power or greed or scheming.
Also, the book is peppered with beautiful color illustrations, all of which are done in traditional Chinese styles. These livened up the book considerably, and made for an enchanting reading experience.
Sadly, the story itself lags, especially toward the middle. Grace Lin's writing can be lovely at times but is oddly inconsistent -- sometimes it was enchanting and other times it was quite clunky and bland. The story itself seems to wander, and lingers at odd points for longer than necessary. And at times it felt that the various folktales woven into the story didn't mesh well, and could have been incorporated into the story better.
It doesn't help that the characters themselves are fairly flat. Minli, despite being the main character, doesn't have much personality beyond being the usual "adorable precocious child" so ubiquitous in literature. Dragon is relegated to a personality-free sidekick, and the villain of the story is simply evil for evil's sake. Only Minli's mother sees any character development, and even then it's simply transforming from a nagging harpy to an agreeable wife... which has its own unfortunate implications. I understand that folktales weren't always renowned for their exemplary character development, but a novel adaptation of said folktales should do better, in my mind...
This certainly wasn't a terrible book, and can serve as a nice introduction to the unique and colorful world of Chinese mythology for young readers. I simply found it lacking in certain areas, and think it could have been improved on. Still, it's a fine read for younger readers, and the illustrations are a beautiful touch.
December 29, 2019
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” is an excellent story with a universal message.
A collection of Chinese folktales woven into an overarching story. If you have any interest in folklore this a must. What elevated this story to a true work of art is the author’s mastery of storytelling. The narrative often pauses to tell a Chinese folktale. At first this seems like only a texture for the characters and world but as the story unfolds it becomes apparent that each tale is woven into the tapestry of the plot - exposing either backstory, motivation, or what may come.
Grace Lin never explicitly states this is what she is doing, but once the folktales within folktales is revealed and everything begins to connect, the experience changes. It makes one want to reread past tales within the narrative and sift through each new one looking for the crumbs of story within.
The storytelling is further enriched by the writing. Most of the sentences are straightforward, with simple language for younger readers. However the images that are used are beautiful, and the succinct writing keeps the pace going smoothly. This easy writing style puts the focus on what is happening and being said more than how it is said.
Where this story really shines is its theme. I will not spoil it here since the slow reveal of the point of this story lends the narrative a good deal of strength. But the ultimate ending is well worth the journey and the themes are a good reminder for everyone. Though the characters are often one-note they feed into the theme well. Most of them reflect the ideals of these central themes, showing their good and their evil. From style to characters, this is a masterful lesson in how to make a meaningful story where all the different elements come together to form an emotional and impactful journey.
The only real issue with this work is also its greatest strength: its stories. All of them are engaging but there are quite a few. Though they add rather than subtract from the whole, there is enough of them that pacing can feel bogged down at times. Especially in the middle, rapid fire stories interrupt the main plot.
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” should be on everyone’s reading list. For parents and children, and for authors as a great example on how to tell a story, and for everyone else as a heartfelt and important reminder of life's values.
A collection of Chinese folktales woven into an overarching story. If you have any interest in folklore this a must. What elevated this story to a true work of art is the author’s mastery of storytelling. The narrative often pauses to tell a Chinese folktale. At first this seems like only a texture for the characters and world but as the story unfolds it becomes apparent that each tale is woven into the tapestry of the plot - exposing either backstory, motivation, or what may come.
Grace Lin never explicitly states this is what she is doing, but once the folktales within folktales is revealed and everything begins to connect, the experience changes. It makes one want to reread past tales within the narrative and sift through each new one looking for the crumbs of story within.
The storytelling is further enriched by the writing. Most of the sentences are straightforward, with simple language for younger readers. However the images that are used are beautiful, and the succinct writing keeps the pace going smoothly. This easy writing style puts the focus on what is happening and being said more than how it is said.
Where this story really shines is its theme. I will not spoil it here since the slow reveal of the point of this story lends the narrative a good deal of strength. But the ultimate ending is well worth the journey and the themes are a good reminder for everyone. Though the characters are often one-note they feed into the theme well. Most of them reflect the ideals of these central themes, showing their good and their evil. From style to characters, this is a masterful lesson in how to make a meaningful story where all the different elements come together to form an emotional and impactful journey.
The only real issue with this work is also its greatest strength: its stories. All of them are engaging but there are quite a few. Though they add rather than subtract from the whole, there is enough of them that pacing can feel bogged down at times. Especially in the middle, rapid fire stories interrupt the main plot.
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” should be on everyone’s reading list. For parents and children, and for authors as a great example on how to tell a story, and for everyone else as a heartfelt and important reminder of life's values.
January 31, 2012
The voice of the narrations were done by Minli, and I think the narrations were executed perfectly for her age in the story. I anticipate that this novel would be to difficult for young readers because of the vocabulary. I suggest "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" for readers fourth grade and older! It's a wonderful story with a great message that wealth and fortune don't give one prosperity and happiness and that the key to happiness is thankfulness. When reading "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" I experienced a range of emotions. I reacted with sadness for Minli's parents who missed their daughter desperately. I laughed when the old man in the village turned the peach Minli gave him into a peach tree for all, but the peaches weren't appearing magically, however every peach taken from the tree one disappeared from the mean vendors stand.
Classroom application:
This book would be great to read aloud the first few chapters, to get students interested. Then have students independently read the rest of the story. One could also read the story aloud and then do a project where the students create a poster on their favorite character with bullet points of why they liked that particular character.
Classroom application:
This book would be great to read aloud the first few chapters, to get students interested. Then have students independently read the rest of the story. One could also read the story aloud and then do a project where the students create a poster on their favorite character with bullet points of why they liked that particular character.
April 10, 2017
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a pretty darn adorable MG novel. Minli lives in a village beside the Fruitless Mountain, and decides to find fortune for her family, for her Ma often complains about how poor they are. To discover that fortune, Minli is told by a goldfish to ask the Old Man of the Moon. So Minli sneaks away, and in her adventures frees a goldfish, rescues a dragon, meets a king, and meets two lucky twins. And on each adventure she's told more folktales as the journey she's on becomes one.
Based on a mix of Chinese folktales, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is really charming. The author also illustrates the novel, and I loved the images.
4.5/5
Based on a mix of Chinese folktales, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is really charming. The author also illustrates the novel, and I loved the images.
4.5/5
December 27, 2023
I knew very little about this book before I read it, which probably contributed greatly to my utter delight in this charming story. I had a hard time putting it down, and was completely absorbed in this simple, but brilliant weaving of Chinese folk-lore and fairy tale. I hope one day to be able to read it aloud with my daughter. The wisdom and cleverness reminded me a little of Oscar Wilde’s stories for children. If you agree that fairy tales are important for all ages, then you will not be disappointed by this book.
July 7, 2020
When the Mountain Meets the Moon: My Kindle Review
Blooming with plenty of fantasy and Chinese folklore as we follow a little girl who wants to turn her struggling parents’ troubles around with the help of her father’s tales, it has plenty of whimsical storytelling with short folktales added to make it more of a heartwarming fantasy read. A (100%/Outstanding)
Blooming with plenty of fantasy and Chinese folklore as we follow a little girl who wants to turn her struggling parents’ troubles around with the help of her father’s tales, it has plenty of whimsical storytelling with short folktales added to make it more of a heartwarming fantasy read. A (100%/Outstanding)
February 20, 2021
This was really good 👍
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