Did you ever wish you had more money and happiness? Join Minli to discover the secret to both.

Have you ever wished your family had more money? Happiness? Well, then you’ll be able to relate to Minli, a young Chinese girl runs away from home to ask the Old Man in the Moon for wealth and happiness. If you like fairy tales, then you’ll enjoy this story which is interwoven with Chinese fables. In this modern fairy tale, the fish can talk and the Dragon can not fly. Dragon joins Minli on her journey, hoping to ask the Old Man in the Moon to help to make him fly. Along the way, Minli collects additional requests for the Old Man in the Moon. When she arrives, she discovers that she can only ask one question every ninety-nine years. What will she ask?


This book is exceptionally well-written, alternating between two stories: Minli’s journey to the Man in the Moon and her parents’ faith that she will return home someday. Lin masterfully weaves together ancient Chinese fables with the stories of Minli and her parents. Chinese fables are easily identified by their title and unique serif font. Each chapter begins with an illustration which foreshadows events of the chapter. Lin provides additional full-page color illustrations which enhance the story. The pace is well established, making readers want to complete just one more chapter. The plot is similar to Baum’s Wizard of Oz, in that Minli picks up additional favors to ask the Old Man in the Moon, along the journey. This exceptionally well written title makes an excellent introduction to Chinese fables. The author lists some that inspired her in the end papers. Grade 3-5.

Lin, Grace. (2009).  Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little Brown.
ISBN: 9780316114271
Cover art link from ALIScat - a catalog of public libraries in Nassau County, New York.