Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

 



Written by Grace Lin

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2009

ISBN: 978-0316114271

Plot Summary: Minli and her family live at the bottom of a mountain that is not thriving as it is called Fruitless Mountain. Minli hears a story about the Old Man in the Moon and how he can help save the mountain so she goes on a journey to meet him. Minli goes on a series of quests in order to meet the old man including releasing a goldfish and meeting a flightless dragon. The Old Man will only answer one question so Minli asks to help the flightless dragon and because of her sacrifice, the dragon gifts her with a stone that she gives to the king of her land who gives her seeds so that her family can grow and thrive.   

Critical Analysis: The author weaves a tale that teaches many life lessons including being grateful for what you already have, and that hard work and dedication pay off in the end. The cultural markers for this book are very apparent as many different themes and motifs come out from the Chinese Culture. Dragons, jewels, and quests are just a few parts of this story that helps us understand the history behind the story and the morals that come through help the reader understand that even in the smallest parts of life that you can find things to be thankful and show gratitude for. Minli and her mother don't see eye to eye but through the story the value of sacrifice and what it means to help others shines through with the little quests that Minli goes on to make the overall bigger quest work. 

    The light and the moon is a symbol that shows up throughout the book as the moon is a symbol of everything that is truth, goodness, and faith. Magic and Nature and how they interact also is a major theme throughout the story as we follow along in her quests. Ma and Ba (her parents) are very opposite in this story which goes along with the yin and yang that is prevalent in Chinese culture. Ma is very level headed and down to earth while Ba believes in reaching for the stars and making dreams come true. Lin does a wonderful job of creating a tale that will carry you through to the very end. 

Review: Kirkus

To change her family’s fortunes, a poor Chinese girl embarks on a fantastical quest to discover she already has everything she needs to be happy. Minli and her parents live in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, where they toil endlessly. Bitter and resentful, Minli’s mother complains when her husband fills Minli’s imagination with enchanting tales of Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon. “Eager for adventure,” Minli sets out alone seeking advice from the Old Man of the Moon. En route she befriends a dragon who joins her quest. Together they encounter a talking goldfish, a boy with a buffalo, a king, a fierce green tiger and laughing twins before scaling Never-Ending Mountain. Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minli’s quest. With her “lively and impulsive spirit,” Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. Richly hued illustrations reinforce the Chinese folk theme. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 8-12)

Connection: Students can learn more about the Chinese culture and folklore here and student can write their own folktale either from China or from their own culture. 

https://fairytalez.com/region/chinese/

More Books by Grace Lin

When the Sea Turned to Silver ISBN 978-0316125949

Starry River of the Sky ISBN 978-0316125970



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