Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (Little Brown & Co, 2009)

Minli and her parents live in a tiny shack in the corner where Fruitless Mountain and Jade River meet. The villagers struggle hard to coax rice out of the almost barren land. Mud and poverty are everywhere. The only bright spot is a young girl Minli. She has an adventurous spirit, is always smiling and has a quick mind. Her Ma constantly sighs over the lack of food and other amenities. Minli loves the stories her Ba, father, tells her about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. If someone finds the Old Man of the Moon, he can change one’s fortune.  Mimly goes on her quest and is helped by a young dragon who is unable to fly, a young boy who has only a water buffalo for companionship, and villagers where two children must be sacrificed every month to avoid annihilation by a fierce tiger. Her parents worry about her absence. Minli faces many tests during her odyssey. She learns about true wealth and friendship in her quest. This is a sweet adventure story based on Chinese folk tales and folk wisdom. Beautiful Chinese art and woodcuts add additional interest.

J Fiction,  Recommended—Lillian Hecker (PEL)