After watching Grace Lin’s TED Talk earlier this semester and learning that our school theme this year is The Wizard of Oz, I knew I had to read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It did not disappoint. Like Dorothy’s journey through Oz, Minli’s adventure is filled with magic, friendship, and the search for something bigger than herself, but this story is uniquely rooted in Chinese folklore and rich cultural tradition.

Minli, a young girl from a poor village at the base of Fruitless Mountain, sets off on a fantastical journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and change her family’s fortune. Along the way, she meets dragons, kings, and talking animals, each encounter shaped by the folktales she’s grown up hearing. What makes Grace Lin’s storytelling so special is how she seamlessly blends those traditional tales into Minli’s personal quest, making the folklore come alive in a way that’s meaningful and accessible for young readers.

The characters are authentic and emotionally rich. Minli is smart, curious, and compassionate, an inspiring protagonist who struggles with big questions about fate, family, and self-worth. The characters she meets reflect a variety of human experiences, some selfish, some noble, and many somewhere in between, providing a balanced view of human nature and moral choice. Importantly, these characters interact across class and circumstance, offering students a chance to think about empathy and understanding across difference.

The setting, while fantastical, is deeply inspired by Chinese landscapes, art, and tradition. The cultural values woven into the story, respect for elders, gratitude, humility, and perseverance, are expressed through both the plot and the beautiful full-color illustrations, also created by Lin. The artwork and writing together honor Chinese heritage with sincerity and depth.

From a justice and equity lens, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon provides important representation of Chinese culture that is celebratory and joyful, without reducing it to lessons or stereotypes. Grace Lin, as an #OwnVoices author, shares this story with authenticity and heart, creating a mirror for children who see their cultural identity reflected and a window for others to gain appreciation and understanding.

Related Books:

• Starry River of the Sky and When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin
• The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
• A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
• Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai
• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Classroom or Library Activities:

• Folktale Exploration: Have students compare Chinese folktales in the story to traditional tales from their own cultures.
• Theme Connection to The Wizard of Oz: Create a Venn diagram comparing Minli’s journey to Dorothy’s—discussing what each learns about home, family, and self.
• Art & Storytelling: Encourage students to illustrate a favorite scene in Grace Lin’s vibrant style, using color to convey emotion and theme.
• Gratitude Journals: After finishing the book, prompt students to reflect on what “fortune” really means and what they’re grateful for in their own lives
• Story Mapping: Have students map Minli’s journey and include turning points where she demonstrates growth, kindness, or courage.
• Audiobook Listening Station: Include the audiobook version for students who benefit from hearing stories read aloud, enhancing comprehension and engagement.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a beautifully crafted tale about hope, kindness, and finding joy in what we already have. Perfect for independent reading, read-alouds, or thematic units, it offers a magical journey that will leave young readers reflecting on their own definitions of fortune and home.