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Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Middle Grade!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 25 August 2020

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This... this is one of the most beautiful middle grade books I have ever read.

Minli lives in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain with her very poor parents. Her father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, filling her head with ideas of how they could possibly change their family fortune. One day, Minli discovers the way to the Old Man of the Moon and decides to leave her parents to see if she can find him. On the way, she meets a dragon that can't fly, kings, tigers, and so much more.

Oh where do I begin with what I loved about this book? This is imbued with gorgeously-told Chinese folktales that are both original and inspired by actual Chinese folktales the author, Grace Lin, has heard over the years. They're so wonderfully integrated in the story and provides a sort of path for Minli, our protagonist.

The characters in this are so full of wonder. Minli is a fantastic character to follow because she's curious and learns so much on her adventure to the Old Man in the Moon. The dragon that can't fly who accompanies her, called Dragon, adds another fantastical element to this story as we meet monkeys and kings and buffalo boys and lucky twins and green tigers, oh my!

I was floored by the emotion and passion behind these stories and characters and all the messages and morals that are learned are so beautiful, when I reached the end, I wanted to begin again on page one so I could learn all those lessons all over again. It took 11 years to discover this book but I'm so glad my red thread finally led me to this wonderful, wonderful book!

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely adored this book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 17 November 2014

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I absolutely adored this book. I’m so mad at myself that I had this sitting on my shelf for nearly two years before I finally got round to reading it – what the hell was wrong with me?!

Grace Lin gave me everything I could want: beautiful writing, lovable characters, captivating storytelling, exquisite world building and those warm fuzzy feelings special books give you. (You know the ones you end up hugging. Don’t pretend it’s only me that does that…)

While I’m convinced that Where The Mountain Meets The Moon would be just as thrilling as a text only book I do think that the art, both the chapter heading and the full colour pictures add something extra special.

I loved the folktales within Minli’s own story, there were a few I had heard before, Grace Lin makes them work together so well. I also loved the message I took from the book and all the other things I’ve previously mentioned.

In short I loved Where The Mountain Meets The Moon.

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, beautiful, a real joy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 3 May 2021

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Just so beautiful. Read it with my young daughter who enjoyed it so much. Wonderful stories within the main story, heartfelt characters, captivating illustrations. We loved it, would recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 23 May 2020

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This book was by far one of my favourite middle grades the weaving of folklore and the story was fantastic. I adored the illustrations. I am afraid to say this was my first read from this author I do not think it shall be my last.

5.0 out of 5 stars She is an amazing find

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 16 November 2020

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I am now hooked on this author. Wonderful description, beautiful stories and a moral wound through them Perfect