maxcfb 's review for:

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

5.0

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I read this book many years ago in a two-hour sitting, and in the years since, I've read it aloud with family, showed it to teachers I know who have since introduced it to their classes, and generally gone on and on and on about how wonderful it is! This Newbery Honor novel follows clever, resourceful Minli on a journey to bring fortune to her poor village by talking to the Old Man of the Moon she learned about in her father's stories. Grace Lin's worldbuilding, both through the many myths and stories recalled throughout the novel and through Minli's actual travels to a variety of wonderful locations, is truly impeccable, and her writing style in this book is utterly unique and beautiful. Lin's beautiful illustrations only add to the story, and her choice to include the perspectives of Minli's parents as they work to understand their daughter's journey is a brilliant one. But the very best part of this story is how so many seemingly-disparate story elements come together, perfectly fitting together like puzzle pieces, to create an immensely powerful and memorable message at the end. Don't miss this gorgeous novel!

Click here to see my full review of this book on my blog!