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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
A charming story loosely based on the Chinese folk tales the author grew up with, Lin tells us the story of young Minli, who sets out to change her family's fortune by searching out the Man of the Moon. The main story is interspersed with shorter stories set apart in different type, highlighting the importance of storytelling.
Initially I had trouble getting into this one because it's definitely told in the style of fairy tales for preschoolers, but by the end the complexity of how the various stories were woven together (and not just the length) made me see why this is a book for older children. Still, my favorite thing was the rich use of color in the illustrations. This is a quiet, but rewarding read.
Initially I had trouble getting into this one because it's definitely told in the style of fairy tales for preschoolers, but by the end the complexity of how the various stories were woven together (and not just the length) made me see why this is a book for older children. Still, my favorite thing was the rich use of color in the illustrations. This is a quiet, but rewarding read.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
cute fairy tale story but not quite my jam
I read this book as a suggestion from the group Into the Forest.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a wonderful story that ties in elements of traditional Chinese Folk Tales. The story centers around a girl named Minli who lives at the base of Fruitless Mountain. Her family and town are poor in finances, but her life is rich in the stories her father tells. One night, Minli decides to leave her home. She plans to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him to change her family's fortune. Along the way she encounters new lands, and a range of exciting characters.
While it is geared towards middle schoolers, this story is an exciting read that can be entertaining for all ages. I flew through it in a little over a day. I loved the characters, specifically the Buffalo boy, and Dragon. The story was not too fast, nor too slow. It continuously circled back to Minli's parents. That is a rarity in children's stories.
If you are looking for something fun and quick, this is a great choice.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a wonderful story that ties in elements of traditional Chinese Folk Tales. The story centers around a girl named Minli who lives at the base of Fruitless Mountain. Her family and town are poor in finances, but her life is rich in the stories her father tells. One night, Minli decides to leave her home. She plans to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him to change her family's fortune. Along the way she encounters new lands, and a range of exciting characters.
While it is geared towards middle schoolers, this story is an exciting read that can be entertaining for all ages. I flew through it in a little over a day. I loved the characters, specifically the Buffalo boy, and Dragon. The story was not too fast, nor too slow. It continuously circled back to Minli's parents. That is a rarity in children's stories.
If you are looking for something fun and quick, this is a great choice.
Dragons, magic, strong little girl making a difference in the world. As someone much older reading the book, I wasn't blown away but I still enjoyed it. I read the book after bumping into Grace at a bookshop in GA. I imagine if I had a little girl, I would be reading this book to her at night and asking the big questions - "What is Minli thinking at this part? Why do you think she feels this way? What do you think the little boy feels?". Would be fun :D
7 year old boy gives this 5 stars and says, "It was amazing!"
As a mother, this book really bothered me, even while I enjoyed it at the same time. I'm not rating it, because of how much certain issues bothered me while my son looked right past them.
Let's just say, I would never have accepted the advice given to the mother in the book... and I wonder if the author would still write it quite the same way now that she, too, is a mother.
ETA: 7/9/17 I have now finished the trilogy that this begins.
In this first book, there is adventure and wonder, a quest, dragons and fantasy, bravery and accomplishment achieved by someone close to my son's age. I think the following two books mature in a way that will better be appreciated by my son when he is a little more mature himself, so he can better catch the nuances and connections, can better appreciate the peace and romance and mystery of the second book and not be so fearful of death and the intense darkness found running through the third.
I can see that the author has woven some of herself into the tapestry of a great story told over the three parts. As the author has grown in experience and wisdom, so too has her storytelling. For this first part, a beginning crafted by someone earlier in her life experience, I now find forgiveness for the contradictory lessons I often did not agree with, as well as for the fact she did not portray what I believe the parents of such a young child as Minli should have done. I think she saw in Minli more of herself as a young adult than as a very young daughter. Also, I think she saw a heroine of strength and ability in Minli more than a youngster who still needed nurturing and protection to grow into that strong, able, and wise person she was becoming.
Everyday people become like gods and epic heroes (heroines); goodness, thoughtfulness, and kindness become a glowing path, and the strength to do what's right can be found even in the young, small, and unexpected.
The entire series is a very strong 5 stars. Perhaps this beginning should not be rated as a standalone, but rather as a part of the whole. As I write this, I am considering even the word masterpiece for the trilogy. I may need to purchase the books now to reread them a few times to decide if that is the correct description. :)
Well done, Grace Lin, and I hope you truly have found peace through your endeavor.
As a mother, this book really bothered me, even while I enjoyed it at the same time. I'm not rating it, because of how much certain issues bothered me while my son looked right past them.
Let's just say, I would never have accepted the advice given to the mother in the book... and I wonder if the author would still write it quite the same way now that she, too, is a mother.
ETA: 7/9/17 I have now finished the trilogy that this begins.
In this first book, there is adventure and wonder, a quest, dragons and fantasy, bravery and accomplishment achieved by someone close to my son's age. I think the following two books mature in a way that will better be appreciated by my son when he is a little more mature himself, so he can better catch the nuances and connections, can better appreciate the peace and romance and mystery of the second book and not be so fearful of death and the intense darkness found running through the third.
I can see that the author has woven some of herself into the tapestry of a great story told over the three parts. As the author has grown in experience and wisdom, so too has her storytelling. For this first part, a beginning crafted by someone earlier in her life experience, I now find forgiveness for the contradictory lessons I often did not agree with, as well as for the fact she did not portray what I believe the parents of such a young child as Minli should have done. I think she saw in Minli more of herself as a young adult than as a very young daughter. Also, I think she saw a heroine of strength and ability in Minli more than a youngster who still needed nurturing and protection to grow into that strong, able, and wise person she was becoming.
Everyday people become like gods and epic heroes (heroines); goodness, thoughtfulness, and kindness become a glowing path, and the strength to do what's right can be found even in the young, small, and unexpected.
The entire series is a very strong 5 stars. Perhaps this beginning should not be rated as a standalone, but rather as a part of the whole. As I write this, I am considering even the word masterpiece for the trilogy. I may need to purchase the books now to reread them a few times to decide if that is the correct description. :)
Well done, Grace Lin, and I hope you truly have found peace through your endeavor.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon follows Minli who lives near the fruitless mountain, she grows up being told stories about dragons and fortunes and decides to go on her adventure to ask the Old Man on the Moon how to change her family's impoverished situation. Thus sets out an adventure with many creatures and people of importance.
I love how this book is structured because whenever there is mention of a story, mythological creature, or an item of significance, we are given its folktale. Especially since so many of the stories are interconnected you are always getting new and interesting perspectives on the same issue. It is a lovely book, beautifully written, middle-grade at its best. 5/5
I love how this book is structured because whenever there is mention of a story, mythological creature, or an item of significance, we are given its folktale. Especially since so many of the stories are interconnected you are always getting new and interesting perspectives on the same issue. It is a lovely book, beautifully written, middle-grade at its best. 5/5
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No