Starry River of the Sky

The only thing I didn't like about Grace Lin's WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON was that it ended. With its seamless blend of direct narration and stories within stories, it is quite possibly the most perfect book - for any age reader - that I have ever encountered. Grace Lin transported us into a magical, but wholly believable world - one simultaneously foreign yet familiar - that is hard to put down or to leave when the journey is finished.Fortunately, we have a new journey to plunge into. When I saw this new volume, I rushed to get it, but I was also strangely reluctant to read it. It couldn't possibly be as good as the first, could it? I certainly didn't want to be disappointed by this one, as I was afraid that would also sully my fond memories of the first.But soon after submerging myself in Ms. Lin's world again, I knew I needn't have worried. While this book is in many ways different that the first - in terms of characters, plot and even tone - it is every bit as powerful, if not moreso, than its predecessor.In my review of WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, I noted that, while the publisher's recommended age starts at eight, I thought the book would be a good read-aloud for kids as young as five or six. In fact, I have started reading it to my six- and four-year-old daughters and they are entranced. This book, however, is a little heavier and a little more intense. Although I believe I probably will go ahead and read it with my daughters as soon as we finish the first, I hesitate slightly more with this one.This book centers around Rendi, a wandering waif of a boy who seems to be older than the first book's girl protagonist Minli. Rendi arrives rather stealthily in the Village of Clear Sky stowed away in the back of a merchant's cart. Who he is, whence he hails and why he left are mysteries that are slowly and suspensefully revealed.The Village of Clear Sky, once a proud place, has fallen on hard times. It is always hot and there is little water. After the Mountain left, so too did most of the villagers. But here Rendi is stuck, working as a chore boy at Master Chao's lonely inn, having been discovered and unceremoniously evicted by the merchant. Rendi's days, stuck miles from any other inhabited land, are full of hard labor, while his nights are restless, filled with piteous means, which Rendi believes are coming from the sky, which is bereft of its moon. No one else seems to hear the moans nor to be terribly concerned about the missing moon.The inn's one regular dinner guest, the seemingly feeble and confused old Mr. Shan, is soon joined by the fascinating and imposing Madame Chang. Both Rendi and his nemesis, Master Chao's little daughter Peiyi, are both drawn to the kindly yet formidable woman who knows the old stories and who seems to be able to read secrets buried deep in the heart. But eventually Madam Chang demands stories from Rendi in exchange for her own. What do Rendi's stories reveal about him? What do Madame Chang's stories reveal about her? And how is it that this odd assortment of characters - few of whom are as they seem - happen to be gathered at this lonely inn in the middle of nowhere?All of the stories revolve around love and loss, hurt, betrayal and anger with resulting alienation, loneliness and yearning for return. The stories flow and fit together so well that despite - or perhaps because of - their almost pithy simplicity, they seem to communicate a vision of unity and transcendent wholeness. It may sound corny, but reading the stories, you may find yourself catching a glimpse of Enlightenment. In fact, this book is almost difficult to talk about because it sounds so banal and trite - I laughed, I cried, it was better than "Cats". But read it for yourself and I believe you'll understand.While this is certainly a wonderful children's book that I recommend for any school, home or public library collection, it is much more than a children's book. It is the type of book, like THE LITTLE PRINCE, perhaps, that adults should read not only to and for their children, but for ourselves many times during our lifetime, to remind ourselves of the important things in life and that eventually we all need to return home.

In my review of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, I asserted that it comes as close to high art in children's books as you can find. That is still my opinion. Starry River of the Sky is advertised as a companion book, but it is really a prequel to the earlier book. I didn't realize that this was the case until about a quarter of the way into the book when Rendi, an angry boy forced to be a “chore boy” at a small town inn, tells a story about Magistrate Tiger, who plays a prominent role in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. The main plot centers on Rendi who has run away from home and has a secret past that he hopes none of the other people at the inn discover. It also the case that he is the only one who seems to notice that the moon is missing. At night he is tormented by a crying, wailing sound that keeps him awake. He is resentful and goes out of his way to be cruel to others, especially the inn keep’s daughter, Peiyi. As with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Lin interweaves a number of stories told by various characters which begin to merge with the main plot line. We learn, for example, that the inn is located in the Village of Clear Sky because the Mountain Spirit moved the Never Ending Mountain out of fear that Peiyi’s great grandfather would dig up and carry it away so that it would no longer block his view of the sky. As the plot progresses, we meet new characters and learn about various conflicts among the town’s residents. We also slowly learn about Rendi’s past and admit to the source of his anger. Eventually, the missing moon is found and Rendi puts his anger aside, with an ending that anticipates several objects and events in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Other reviewers have noted that this is a story about forgiveness. But for me, it is more than people saying “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you.” It is how forgiveness can come from resolving problems to the satisfaction of both parties who feel wronged and how the aid of others is vital to this process. Although I did not find Starry River of the Sky as moving or memorable as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, it is an excellent, inspiring story, with great artwork. Another gem by Grace Lin. I recommend it without reservation.

I loved "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" as a kid and had no idea that Lin wrote more books. Needless to say, I was amped to read this book and Oh My GOODNESS!!! It did not disappoint. It is in the same universe as "Where the Mountain" and it's so cool how the legends in this book tie back to the previous one. I couldn't put it down! It's an easy read and the plot is so well done. The book I ordered was used, which was perfectly fine with me. It was in very good condition there was just a name written on the inside page and FREE BONUS, I found a tiny sheet of stickers hidden in one of the pages. None of them were missing either, which was kinda nice. I'm guessing the previous owner was using it for a bookmark. So now I have an amazing book and really cute gardening stickers!

My daughter is almost five and she asks me often to read from this book even if the pictures are black and white and there is more text than image.

I bought this for my 9 year old son after he read 'Where the mountain meets the moon'. This is his review.I really like this book because it makes you want to read on find out what is going to happen.There were little stories to which explained later on what was happening .I really liked this book because for another reason it was exiting and adventourous.

Beautifully written magical story. Both my daughters love this book, not will to lend to friends.. Love Grace Lin's work..

By Grace LinAn American-Chinese author; she is also a Newbery Honor novelist.Genre: Folk talesAudience: Age 10 years and above.This is a delightful book of Chinese folk tales, beautifully woven as stories within a story, and with many cleverly interwoven plots. The book is written in clear and simple prose, has endearing protagonists, and is strongly moral without being preachy. Well worth reading. The fonts, illustrations, and print in the Hachette edition add to the pleasure of reading.

No es una segunda parte de "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon", pero si comparte alguno de los personajes con este y por tanto recomiendo leerlo antes de "Starry River of the Sky". En el primer libro Minli hacía un viaje y corría aventuras mientras los personajes con los que se iba encontrando le iban contando historias, al final todas esas historias acababan formando una sola. En este segundo libro sucede lo mismo pero la autora arriesga más: no hay viaje ni aventuras, el personaje principal (Rendi) permanece en un pueblo y los habitantes de este son los que le van contando esas historias, esto puede hacer que quien no haya leído la primera parte pudiese aburrirse. El final tiene varias sorpresas que tendrán sentido sólo para los que leyeron la primer parte, ya que descubrimos que algunos de los personajes que parecían nuevos ya estaban en el primer libro (si os fijais en When the Montain meets the Moon salían muchos personajes pero no nos decían su nombre).