Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Grace Lin (2009)
“A girl climbs a mountain to ask the Old Man of the Moon to change her family's fortune — and discovers that fortune was never what she thought it was.”
EraContemporary
Pages278
Difficulty★☆☆☆☆ Accessible
AP Appearances0
Character Analysis
A girl defined by her quest — she sets out to change her family's fortune and discovers that fortune was never what she thought. Minli's defining trait is generosity, which manifests as impulsiveness (buying the goldfish), sacrifice (giving up her question for Dragon), and openness (listening to every story she encounters). Her journey is external (climbing a mountain) and internal (redefining wealth).
How They Speak
Simple, direct, curious. Her language is unadorned but perceptive — she asks questions that cut to the heart of things.