Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Bibliography 

Lin, G. (2020). Where the mountain meets the Moon. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Cengage Company. ISBN 0316038636

Plot Summary

Minli and her family work hard every day in the rice fields to make ends meet. Each night, Minli’s father tells her enchanting stories of how things came to be. To her mother’s displeasure, Minli is fascinated with these stories, and believes them to be true. She sets out to change the family’s fortune by going to find where the mountain meets the moon. She meets characters along the way like a dragon who cannot fly, and faces obstacles like greedy monkeys. Will Minli safely find her way home and help her family? 

Critical Analysis

Set in a village by the Jade river, the book's main characters are poor farmers who struggle to put food on the table despite how hard they work. They include “Ma” and “Ba” and their daughter, Minli. The characters are described as having distinct physical features such as Minli’s “black hair with pink cheeks”. Animals throughout the story talk like Minili’s goldfish and the dragon who can’t fly. The story’s lessons reflect important cultural values such as hospitality, obedience, honor, and fate. For example, Minli struggles with her decision to leave her family for her journey knowing that it would likely be against their wishes. She signs her note “you obedient daughter” to affirm that despite her leaving, she is doing it for the family and is not intending to be disobedient. Another important lesson in the book that is addressed is greed. At one point, Minli and her dragon companion are trying to get past monkeys that guard peach trees. Minli devises a trap with rice. When the monkeys put their hands in to get the rice, they can’t pull them back out with rice in their hands. Instead of dropping the rice, the greedy monkeys stay stuck in the trap. 

Also included in the book are various illustrations. They are colorful images that stick to royal, jewel tones. They depict traditionally dressed people and beautiful landscapes. Images of importance are created through the words as well. For example, the dragon is described as “brilliant red, the color of the lucky lantern, with emerald-green whiskers, horns, and a dull stone-colored ball like the moon on his head”. 

This book represents a more historical, traditional perspective on Chinese people and includes characters from Chinese folk tales, so it would be good to balance out this book with other more current representations of people. However, the stories show the values of the culture that still remain important today. 

Review Excerpts and Awards

Newberry Honor, 2010

From Kirkus Reviews: “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.”

From School Library Journal: “Interwoven throughout Minli's travels are tales whose characters and themes have been drawn from Chinese folklore. These stories help guide the journey and transform events in very believable ways.”

Connections

Have students research one of the Chinese folklore characters from the book. 

Each of the shorter stories within the book are great for teaching theme