These characters are the parents of the heroine. Teachers can view all of their students storyboards, but students can only view their own. The depth of Minlis affection for Dragon is put to the test, as is her loyalty to her family. Here are some questions to extend students' understanding of the novel. Tell students that they are going to read the book and keep a reading journal; explain how you would like them to proceed, i.e., how many pages or chapters to read and which journal questions to answer. Together, they live in a small stick hut in a bleak, dry farming village at the intersection of the . Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Despite her mother's disapproval of stories and dreaming, Minli gathers her courage, her resourcefulness, and her openness to new people and places, to take a remarkable journey to accomplish the impossible. He wrote a single word on a sheet of paper, but the magistrates soldiers lost it on the way home. There, he meets the first dragon he has ever seen, a female dragon with bright orange skin. In the story that the girl told the Great Green Tiger she stated that another tiger had taken her brother to be his slave for life. The protagonist Minli, like one of Joseph Campbells archetypal heroes, leaves her home, sets out on a quest, has to pass through many crucial tests to reach her goal, and returns to her village bringing back the aid that the villagers and her family need. As you read, take notes on the characters by answering the questions. Ba explains that the mountain will remain fruitless until Jade Dragon is reunited with one of her children. Minli watches him go, feeling puzzled that he is so happy. Minli is a strong and lovable hero that boys will enjoy as much as girls. In moments, he disappeared from view into the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, and if it wasn't for the goldfish Minli had in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon study guide contains a biography of Grace Lin, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. If the boys in the class seem likely to find it difficult to identify with a female protagonist, suggest that they imagine a twin brother accompanying her on her journey. This talking creature helps the heroine and her friend along their way early in the story. While her mother worries and complains about their lot, her father brightens their evenings with storytelling. "Bringing fortune to our house! Part 1. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. Minli realizes what is truly important in life and is thankful for her family. Map Your Own Connections (with red threads) How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? [1] [2] The novel received a 2010 Newbery Honor [3] and the 2010 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature. [Ripping a page from the Book of Fortune will not change one's fate.] I think this story was okay but it was lacking adventure and it was hard to follow along. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. She invites them to come with her to see the Old Man, but they laugh and say, Why would we want to change our fortune? Minli is left to ponder these words as she flies a kitemade of both the paper and the thread from the City of Bright Moonlightinto the sky. You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon characters in a Character Map. The dragon explains that he does not know how to fly and wants to learn, so Minli invites him to come with her to see the Old Man of the Moon, the only person who might be able to tell him how. Resources for Socratic seminars for elementary school students can be found online. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. This beautiful book is bound to become a classic. This Study Guide consists of approximately 29pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing. Optional Activity Grade Level Standard. After some collaboration, they realize they can use their lines (the line of text and the line of destiny) to form a kite and fly up to the moon. The CharactersThe Characters Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is filled with rich and varied characters: Minli, whose name means quick-thinking; Dragon, her companion on the . When the magistrate heard about this, he decided that the family must have been trying to trick him. Still following the goldfishs instructions, Minli sets out for the City of Bright Moonlight. After contemplating her choices, Minli chooses to ask Dragon's question for him: Why can he not fly? Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a wonderfully crafted tale with great messages on gratefulness, contentedness, self-sacrifice, faith and love. When they have finished, have them compare the results with a partner to see what different effects they get when they use vivid language. You may wish to use these tales for additional literature or composition study. She accomplishes her tasks, undertaken with the help of a talking dragon, by showing generosity, courage and integrity. All of the villagers, along with Minli's family, are also very poor, as farming is difficult in the hard and dry land due to Fruitless Mountain being the broken and lonely heart of the immortal Jade Dragon, a dragon that once brought rain to the Earth. What is a true friend? The last date is today's She notices that he is wearing a piece of golden dragon jewelry, and she follows him. Ma and Ba. Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Books About LGBTQ+ Youth, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews. Every day, the family works in. Written by people who wish to remainanonymous. Assess the second copy of Worksheet 2 for completeness, accuracy in recalling details of the story, and mechanics of writing. eNotes.com, Inc. With her lively and impulsive spirit, Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. 8-12), Reading level: Ages 8-12Pages: 288 pagesPublisher: Little, Brown Young ReadersLanguage: English ISBN: 0316114278, 978-0316114271. Ma blames Ba, saying that his stories put foolish ideas in Minlis head. Soup of the Day at Jama Rattigans Alphabet Soup, Book of Color Pick of the Day at Galley Cat. They become friends, and Dragon offers to be her steed for the journey, despite the fact that he cannot fly, unlike other dragons. En route she befriends a dragon who joins her quest. I really think you should read it! Are all your sentences complete and correctly written? (for grades 3-6), 2010 Newbery Honor NY Times Bestseller (Feb 4th, March 14th 2010) IndieBound Bestseller 2010 Bank Street College of Education Josette Frank Award 2010 Indies Choice Book Awards Finalist For Middle Reader Book of the Year Al Rokers TODAY Show Kids Book Club Pick, December 2009 2010 Mythopeic Fantasy Award for Childrens Literature Starred Kirkus Review Starred School & Library Journal Review Starred Booklist Review Booklist Top 10 SF/Fantasy for Youth:2009 2009 Parents Choice Gold Winner 2010 CCBC Choices List 2010 EB White Read-Aloud Honor Book 2010 Massachusetts Book Award for Childrens/Young Adult Literature, I dont think that, in the fourteen years I have worked as a childrens bookseller and the 16 years I have been a mother buying books for her children, I have ever seen such a magnificently illustrated, beautiful gem of a book hit the shelves. Tanya from Books4yourkids.com, This is a flawless little gem of a book, written in a straightforward, warm tone that always has a hint of a smile in itThere is a lovely sense of satisfaction as one link after another is connected, until the entire shape of the book is revealed like a Chinese knot seemingly complicated yet pleasing and harmonious. Eva from Evas Book Addiction, Booklist*Starred Review* In this enchanted and enchanting adventure, Minli, whose name means quick thinking, lives with her desperately poor parents at the confluence of Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River. Characters included in the character map are: (These instructions are completely customizable. My father came down the stairs and asked what I was doing down there. What words bring it to life? Have you described the setting, the place where the events of the story occur, in clear and specific language? Define a frame story and explain the complex way that subsidiary stories are embedded within the novel, Identify different types of challenges in the story. Where The Mountain Meets The Moon Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis. Lin's love of Chinese culture is evident in her creation of vivid new folktales that are built into the narrative in such a way that they become a seamless part of the story and their messages are thus relevant and meaningful. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Identify (4) Traits for this character and supply evidence2. Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character. Using the borrowed line of text and the line of destiny, the adventurers stitch a kite that stretches into a bridge, and Minli goes on alone to meet the Old Man of the Moon. Minli rescues Dragon and includes him in her quest to find the Old Man of the Moon. They continue the journey together. eNotes Editorial. Dragon realizes that this must be the borrowed line, so he tells them about Minli. Bitter and resentful, Minlis mother complains when her husband fills Minlis imagination with enchanting tales of Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2009. . Near a mountain region. Write The house was on the hill on the board. What is the setting of "Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai? We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. Under house have students brainstorm as many words as they can for house: mansion, shack, apartment, rancher, hut, etc. I think it is good for many different ages, from 7-year-olds to 12-year-olds. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.5:Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem. This strong-willed, young Chinese girl lives in the Village of Fruitless Mountain and decides to run off on a quest to change her family's fortune. Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minlis quest. [11], Renee Greenfield and Jennifer Rabold. With nothing else to occupy them in the evenings, Minlis father spins tales of the Old Man in the Moon and the Jade Dragon. Have them copy each days assignment into their notebooks; Make a photocopy of Worksheet 1 for each student and cut off a strip for each daily assignment for students to paste at the top of the notebook page; Cut off each assignment strip and paste it onto a sheet of lined paper. While these tales are original to Lin, many characters, settings, and themes are taken from traditional Chinese folklore. Distribute copies of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. When this story is finished, Minli asks to hear another, but Ba refuses, not wanting to displease Ma. But the stories that the dad told I did like and it added more fun to the book and made me want to finish it. Grades 3-6. Tell them the novel Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is like the picture frame, with one main frame story holding many other stories within it. Finding Identity through Childrens Books, Dont Judge a Book by Its Character (Even If It Is Chinese), The Extra Adjective: How I Came to Terms with Being a Multicultural Book Author, Folktales and Ecology: Animals and Humans in Cooperation and Conflict, Helpful Animals and Compassionate Humans in Folklore, "Cinderella" Folk Tales: Variations in Character. Activity 2. The twins befriend Minli and want to help her. As the novel ends, the goldfish man glimpses Minli in a courtyard, looking up at the place where the Mountain meets the moon., "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Extended Summary" eNotes Publishing Important Quotes. Students will provide detailed information regarding how the characters interact with the main characters, as well as challenges the characters face. online is the same, and will be the first date in the citation. One day I thought I would surprise my friends. Andrew Medlar, School Library Journal*Starred Review* Gr 3-6 Living in the shadow of the Fruitless Mountain, Minli and her parents spend their days working in the rice fields, barely growing enough to feed themselves. Read more 2009 Grace Lin (P)2020 Hachette Audio Listening Length 4 hours and 58 minutes Author Which characters in the book prove to be true friends? However, she is still not sure if the film will be made or if it will not be made. She decides to let it go because of how bitter it made Ma. Perhapsyou need to trust her, the goldfish man says. The next day she finds a stream, but it is salty. The Old Man explains that, once every ninety-nine years, someone comes to ask him a question. She ultimately meets the king, and he willingly gives up the borrowed line, which is revealed to be a page from the Book of Fortune, a legendary book that tells of fates and can be read only by immortal folk. As they work, hold writing conferences with individual students in need of assistance. [Optional activity: Show them the first 1:40 minutes of Al Rokers interview with Grace Lin in which she covers much of the same material. Her mother, Ma, complains that these stories are foolish and harmful. detailed information regarding how the characters interact with the main characters, as Minli's mother, Ma, instead despises the stories that Ba tells, feeling that they are simply "nonsense." This character visits the Village of the Fruitless Mountain early in the book and at the very end. In this activity, students return to the novel to analyze the folktale embedded within it. Ask students: Suppose Grace Lin had just written Their village was dirty and their work was hard. How is this paragraph different? the end with a mysterious gift. Interwoven with Minlis quest are tales told by her father and by those she meets on the way. After her mother ridicules what she believes to be a foolish purchase, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, who, it is told, may impart the true secret to good fortune. Find Symbols in the Story (learn about Chinese symbolism) Two destinies at stake. The main characters are Minli, Ba, Ma and Dragon. Thus she spent much of her childhood trying to ignore her Asian heritage in order to fit in better with her peers. Tell students about Grace Lin, using information from the Background section. Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. Making Fruitless Mountain bloom! At that point, the string turns into a bridge Minli uses to walk up to the moon and visit the Old Man. She said there will be a movie released on 11/21/2020, however the movie was never made. Along the way, Minli meets a special friend. Neither is sure which line is the one they need, so they decide this is another question for the Old Man of the Moon. thissection. Grace went on a blog tour for her book. (p19) In the book Where the Mountain meets the Moon, What is contained in the old man in the moon's book of Fortune? They stop at the City of the Bright Moonlight to meet the King. She endeavors on a journey to find the Old Man of the Moon who will answer her question of how to find her family's fortune. What an engaging book! Meanwhile, as Dragon waits outside of the city, he receives a string of destiny from one of the Guardians of the City. Try to elicit the feelings about the life of Minlis village that these words convey. Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Why did Ma change from being envious of other peoples wealth to being content? She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.This is a wonderous novel with an epic journey and memorable characters in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz. This time, it says, You only lose what you cling to. After thinking this over, the king decides that giving the paper to Minli is the only way to avoid losing it. The Old Man instructs Minli to remove a rock on Dragons head it has been keeping Dragon from flight. Have them compare their experience with Minlis adventure. When Minli finds Dragon, it cant fly and is caught up in some ropes. Jennifer Rothschild from School Library Journal stated in her review: "The author's writing is elegant, and her full-color illustrations are stunning. No one else can view anything. Another main theme idea of this story is friendship. But her ingenuity helps her to survive as she meets and befriends a dragon, sees through the tricks of the King of the City of Bright Moonlight, finds a cure for Dragon's poison, and figures out how to communicate with the Old Man of the Moon. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Give each student a complete copy of worksheet 1 at the beginning. While Lin tells the tale of the courageous Minli, she also imbeds other story vignettes that weave together and connect in complicated ways. Still, real life faces everyone with difficult challenges that require courage and ingenuity. While folktales often include recognizable character types, and certainly we can identify some stock traits here (clever, wise, whiny, kind and poor, greedy, etc.) In returning to Fruitless Mountain, Dragon also meets his mother, Jade Dragon. Ma and Ba say that Minli is too little to do such a thing. In August 2015, Lin revealed that the film rights for the book had been bought. The principal told me that was not a good idea. Let students investigate online resources for folktales from China. . (Teacher Resource: Plot Outline can serve as suggested answers. The goldfish man says that Minli, too, may be able to change her fortune. Much to the displeasure of Ma, Minli spends her precious money on a goldfish. She realizes that she cannot ask Dragons questionunless she chooses not to ask her own. The Question and Answer section for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a great They will also appear in Google search results. Ba smiles and says that Minlis return is the best fortune of all. Have students read the second paragraph. Assign students the task of thinking of a time when they had a challenge to meet. This book is great, I recommend if you want great light reading. BildungsromanShelf ElfPaper TigersMotherReaderCharlottes LibraryWrite for a ReaderThe Mommy FilesThrifty Minnesota Mama Creative MadnessAbby the Librarian, And EVEN more!Review at BookpageCareer, Craft & Cheer on CynsationsSoup of the Day at Jama Rattigans Alphabet SoupSeven Impossible Things Before BreakfastBook of Color Pick of the Day at Galley Cat, Make a Compass (like Minli!) Be sure to use evidence from the story to support your ideas. "[6], Andrew Medlar from Booklist said: "Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine & mystical land [] children will embrace this [] story"[6], A companion, titled Starry River of the Sky, was published on February 11, 2014. They keep journals to record the challenges Minli faced, and how she met the challenges. [4] Think back on some of your favorite characters from past novels you have As you look at the embedded folk tales in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, what are three values that seem to be important? their work. In the book, what were many suggestions about the word that was written on the paper the Magistrate wantedthe secret of happiness. Note: When citing an online source, it is important to include all necessary dates. How important is magic in the story? The Jade Dragon reunites with one of her children, Dragon, and transforms Fruitless Mountain to Fruitful Mountain. I LOVED it! resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. [1][2] The novel received a 2010 Newbery Honor[3] and the 2010 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature. She meets an orphan boy who lives alone with only a water buffalo for company, and she tells him that she needs to see the king. Encourage students to consider why Grace Lin chose those particular words to describe the mountain. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a fantasy - adventure children's novel inspired by Chinese folklore. Minli (her name means "quick thinking") is the main character. Minli befriends a dragon along the way. As a pre-activity, ask students to list the challenges Minli had to face (for example: living in poverty; being threatened by the monkeys; overcoming her fear to climb the bridge of string). The objective of her quest is to find the Old Man of the Moon who possesses the power to change a persons fortune. Writing the narrative of their own challenge gives students a chance to reflect on the themes (courage, persistence, imagination, resourcefulness) of the Lin novel from the first two lessons as they see them enacted in their own experience. Have students explain how they grew or changed because of this experience. Have them write three sentences about this challenge in answer to these questions: What qualities did you have to show to meet this challenge? The elder of the family gave up the secret readily. At the onset of the quest, she meets Dragon. The single line of text upon it is usually unreadable, but sometimes during historically important moments, the words are intelligibleand they always say something different. In the book Where the Mountain meets the Moon, How did Magistrate Tiger plan on making his wish come true. After students have completed the first draft of their story, conduct a peer-editing session in your usual manner (or a self-editing session if you think any of the stories cover sensitive material that the students would be uncomfortable sharing). Back in their hut by Fruitless Mountain, Ma tells Ba a story. Be sure to include evidence from the text in their answers. If there are three dates, the first date is the date of the original She spent all her time wondering why she did not have more money and better food and prettier clothes. She does not like for Ba to tell the stories to Minli because she thinks he is filling her head with ideas. who have not yet read the book get excited and ALL have a great time! Minli thus begins a traditional quest. Symbols & Motifs. She walks deep into the forest and travels all through the night, stopping to sleep at first light. *, Can u describe the character 'talking goldfish'. I brought my pet into school. Write the definition of a frame story on the board (a main story which has other stories contained within it) and have them copy the definition in their notebooks. (authors note) (Fantasy. Minli's father is a storyteller. Minli is a strong character and a positive role model. He tells her that she must hurry up and ask what she wants to know. This talking creature helps the heroine and her friend along their way early in the story. Have a Feast (recipes to enjoy with the book). At the top of the bridge, Minli finds the Old Man of the Moon sitting in the center of a large room full of small clay figures. These characters are the parents of the heroine. This talking creature helps the heroine and her friend along their way early in the story. This summer I finally able to purchase the book and re-read it a third time. It is not as adventurous as I thought it would be. GradeSaver, 25 April 2017 Web. Have students complete the worksheet. The questions focus exclusively on the frame story of Minlis travels, giving students first-hand experience with frame story analysis. He planned on doing whatever he could to marry his son to a member of the Imperial Family. Amazed, Ma observes that the fortunes of the family have changed. Day 2. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. The next day, the family works hard in the rice paddies as always. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. This book has many pages, yet it is the perfect amount for me. Stop believing stories and stop wasting your time. (If the class has already studied the concept, teachers may want to point out that this is an excellent example of a. He allows Minli to eat with him in his castle, and she tells him her story. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Grace Lin 4.30 45,753 ratings5,600 reviews In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. He indulges Minli with numerous Chinese folktales including stories about the Old Man of the Moon and the Never Ending Mountain. Read the Study Guide for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, View Wikipedia Entries for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. After learning about the concept of the frame story, pairs of students take one of the folktales to analyze and then illustrate a key scene from it.