Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

by Grace Lin
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7842
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780316038638
  • Publisher: Little Brown & Company
  • Published: 2011-04-12
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Minli, a spirited girl from a poor village, embarks on an extraordinary adventure after purchasing a magical goldfish. Accompanied by a dragon who cannot fly, she sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, hoping to restore life to Fruitless Mountain and freshness to the Jade River. Their journey is filled with enchanting encounters and profound lessons about the power of storytelling and the importance of family. /n/nThe book is beautifully illustrated and interwoven with Chinese folklore, creating a rich tapestry of culture and imagination. It's a heartwarming tale that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the magic that can be found in the world around us.

Reviews
Common Sense Media · 2025-12-18
excellent 4.50

This book features a strong female protagonist and good family dynamics, making it an enjoyable read. The positive role model in Mingli is particularly noteworthy.

Common Sense Media highlights the strong female protagonist and good family dynamics in this book, making it an enjoyable read for both children and adults. The positive role model in Mingli is particularly noteworthy, as she embodies qualities like perseverance, kindness, and courage. The reviewer also appreciates the book's themes of trust and the power of storytelling, which are woven seamlessly into the narrative. The beautiful illustrations and the engaging storytelling make this book a standout in children's literature.

Quick quotes

    Strong female protagonist, good family dynamics & good values.

    We really enjoyed this book. It features a positive role model in Mingli.

    The beautiful illustrations and the engaging storytelling make this book a standout in children's literature.

Colorful Book Reviews · 2017-05-23
great 4.00

This fantasy novel incorporates elements of Chinese culture and mythology, blending them into a new and captivating story. The use of stories-within-a-story adds depth and richness to the narrative.

Colorful Book Reviews appreciates how this novel incorporates elements of Chinese culture and mythology, blending them into a new and captivating story. The use of stories-within-a-story adds depth and richness to the narrative, making it a unique and engaging read. The reviewer also highlights the beautiful illustrations that complement the text, enhancing the overall reading experience. The themes of family, perseverance, and the power of storytelling are particularly resonant, making this book a standout in children's literature.

Quick quotes

    This fantasy novel incorporates elements of Chinese culture and mythology but blends them into a new story.

    It utilizes stories-within-a-story plot devices that add depth and richness to the narrative.

    The beautiful illustrations complement the text, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The Book Smugglers · 2012-06-05
excellent 4.50

This is a timeless adventure story that blends fantasy with Chinese folklore, reminiscent of classic tales like The Wizard of Oz. The narrative is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making it a delightful read for all ages.

The Book Smugglers highlight how this book is a timeless adventure that beautifully blends fantasy with Chinese folklore, much like the classic The Wizard of Oz. They appreciate the engaging narrative and the well-developed characters, which make the story delightful for readers of all ages. The reviewer also notes the rich cultural elements and the way the story weaves together different folktales, creating a unique and captivating experience. The book's themes of perseverance and the power of storytelling are particularly noteworthy, making it a standout in children's literature.

Quick quotes

    A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless adventure story in the classic tradition of The Wizard of Oz.

    The narrative is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making it a delightful read for all ages.

    The book's themes of perseverance and the power of storytelling are particularly noteworthy.

Fantasy Book Critic · 2009-12-24
brilliant 4.75

The book is praised for its wonderful characters and great storytelling, which stay with the reader long after finishing. The vivid and beautiful scenes painted by the author are particularly noteworthy.

This review highlights the book's wonderful characters and great storytelling, which leave a lasting impression on the reader. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the vivid and beautiful scenes painted by the author, noting how they enhance the overall reading experience. They appreciate the book's ability to create a rich and immersive world, making it a memorable read. The reviewer also notes the book's universal themes and its appeal to readers of all ages.

Quick quotes

    Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a combination of wonderful characters and great story telling that stays with the reader even after finishing.

    The vivid and beautiful scenes painted by the author are particularly noteworthy.

    The book's ability to create a rich and immersive world, making it a memorable read, is highlighted.

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