WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin

Review by Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN 0316038636

PLOT SUMMARY

This fantasy novel is about a young girl named Minli who lives with her parents in a poor village. In hopes to change her family’s fortune, she buys a magical goldfish, then goes on a journey with a flightless dragon to find the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way, they run into many characters and creatures that influence her decisions. Minli eventually gets the chance to find the answers she’s been longing for.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Written in a graceful way, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon allows the readers’ imaginations to soar. The stories that derive from Chinese folklore seem to set the stage, and wind together with the plot in a marvelous combination. This enchanting tale is packed with adventure, full of twists and turns. To top it off, everything seems to come together flawlessly toward the end. A particularly impactful turning point for MInli says it all, in which the line is drawn between greed and gratefulness. “For the line was only made of one word, written over and over again, and that word was Thankfulness.” The best part of reading this book is that it goes beyond a great fantasy story by delivering a meaningful message. A clear moral that is developed through the entire story is to be thankful for what you have.

Rich with similes and metaphors, the author’s writing is elegant and captivating from start to finish. Many colored illustrations can be found throughout the book, particularly at the start of the chapters. Insight into the Chinese culture is also evident, particularly through the storytelling, in an authentic way. Moral values are apparent, like the importance Minli places on her friendship with the dragon as shown through her loyalty. In many ways, this engaging tale encourages creative thinking and self-reflection. At the end, the Author’s Note provides background information along with how the tale unfolded over time to become the magical story that it is. Additional books are also listed that inspired Grace Lin to write this timeless novel.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2010 Newbery Honor Book

A Today Show Al Roker Kids Book Club Pick

A Booklist Top 10 Science Fiction/Fantasy Book for Youth

From School Library Journal: “The author's writing is elegant, and her full-color illustrations are stunning.”

From Booklist: “Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of greed and the joy of gratitude.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other Grace Lin books to read such as:

Starry River of the Sky. ISBN 0316125970

When the Sea Turned to Silver. ISBN 031612592X

Gather other Newbery Honor books to read such as:

Lai, Thanhha. Inside Out and Back Again. ISBN 0061962791

Possible activities:

Discuss the relevance of the many stories told within the book.

Connect to a lesson on similes and metaphors by noting examples throughout the book.