Our summer intern, Sarah Lawrence College student Aurora Sharp shares the following review of one of her favorite children's books. You can find the title in our catalog, borrow and enjoy it, and don't forget to log the book into your Summer Reading Challenge!
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is the whimsical tale of Minli, a young girl who ventures far from home on a quest to change her family’s fortune. Along the way she befriends a variety of enchanting characters (including a dragon!), and discovers she is already far more fortunate than she knew.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is captivating from the first page. The prose is lyrical and inviting, and the book interspersed with short stories and colorful illustrations that bring the story to life. Grace Lin deftly weaves Chinese folklore into Minli’s journey, creating a tale that feels both fresh and familiar.
Minli is a fantastic protagonist and role model for young readers. Quick-thinking, curious, and kind to everyone she meets, she demonstrates how imagination and grit can make any challenge achievable. Her relationship with her parents is a highlight of the story. Minli’s father is a dreamer at heart, always telling tales of distant mountains and magical creatures. Her mother is more practical, and wishes for an easier life than one toiling in the rice fields. Over the course of the story, they each grow to understand one another’s perspectives in a heartfelt and nuanced arc.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is perfect for elementary age children (ages 7-10), but the poignant themes and compelling narrative make it enjoyable for adult readers as well.
Grace Lin has authored dozens of books, including Starry River of the Sky and When the Sea Turned to Silver. Her most recent novel, The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon was published in May.