In the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a hut* with her parents. Her storytelling father tells her that the valley is barren* because the mountain above it is the broken heart of the Jade Dragon who wants to be reunited* with her children. When her father tells her about the Old Man in the Moon and his ability to answer any question, Minli sets out to find the Old Man — using directions given to her by a talking goldfish.

    She wants to improve her family’s fortunes*. As the goldfish’s instructions take Minli through the City of Bright Moonlight, the Village of the Moon Rain, and the Never-ending Mountain, Minli makes friends with many strange characters, including a trickster* king, enlightened children, and a lost dragon, who all tell her stories that make her see the truth in her father’s tales. But as Minli gets closer to the Old Man in the Moon, she realizes her experiences have changed her view of her family’s fortunes, making her ask a question that will change the future of the valley in unexpected ways.

    Author Grace Lin’s beautiful illustrations*, printed in full-color, accompany the text. (SD-Agencies)