Dragon realizes that this must be the borrowed line, so he tells them about Minli. In the book "Games at Twilight", what details do you notice that show this story is not taking place in the United States? The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters. Read the Study Guide for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, View Wikipedia Entries for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. When Dragon and Minli reunite, each is surprised to learn that the other has found a borrowed line. Let students investigate online resources for folktales from China. 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. Which gives the reader a better understanding of the village? Along the way, she finds excitement, danger, humor, magic, and wisdom, and she befriends a flightless dragon, a talking fish, and other companions and helpmates in her quest. "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" Grace Lin CHARACTER TRAITS WORKSHEET by Northeast Education $1.50 PDF CHOOSE A CHARACTER1. The blooms of the flowering trees also provide the antidote to the Green Tiger's poison, which saved Dragon. So Mini decides to leave and set off to find the Old Man of the Mountain. where the mountain meets the moon Flashcards | Quizlet Activity 2, Key Scenes: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, follow the directions at the beginning of Day 2. Ma blames Ba, saying that his stories put foolish ideas in Minlis head. Remind them that to be a narrative, a story must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. 2023 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved. Through their cunning, they trick Green Tiger into falling down a well. I really think you should read it! 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. In the final activity and summative assessment, students plan and then write a personal narrative about a challenge they have overcome, using vivid descriptions of persons and places. He tells her that she must hurry up and ask what she wants to know. 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. "[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. 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. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Character Descriptions Note: When citing an online source, it is important to include all necessary dates. [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. He warns her that he only has time to answer one question. 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. How does this character change over time? Optional Activity Grade Level Standard. For years, she and her siblings were the only Asian American children in her school and she was the only one in her class. Ask students to write one final paragraph in which they compare themselves with Minli. While folktales often include recognizable character types, and certainly we can identify some stock traits here (clever, wise, whiny, kind and poor, greedy, etc.) The meaning of that gift can only be revealed by reading the book. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Imagine how much more those books would have meant to me, she wrote later, if they had been books of substance, if they had reflected my life with more accuracy and heart, addressed concerns and struggles and triumphs that really affected me. She also loved the books of Chinese folktales that her mother gave her, in spite of their being too simply told. Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. The cellar was dark and kind of creepy. After a brief discussion of types of challengesphysical, emotional, economic, etc.students read the entire book, focusing on the main narrative. I absolutely loved this book, beautifully written. Frame Stories in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Log in here. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.). Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. ", Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Most of the information of the notes is correct. Chapter 1 Summary. The performance starred Caroline Workman as Minli, Michael Tow as Storyteller/ Minli's Ba, and was directed by Jane Staab. However, what she especially enjoys are her father Ba's stories, which are often told at the dinner table. With the help of a buffalo boy, Minli tracks down the King. The goal of this activity is to have students engage with the text through a series of focused questions listed by chapter and page in Worksheet 1. 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. Minli and her parents live in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, where they toil endlessly. Word Count: 2124. 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. Spurrier, Leslie. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. When they first meet, he has been bound with ropes and she cuts them off of him. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin | Puddle Reader Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Minli's mother is very dissatisfied with the family's situation. In the morning, she sneaks out of the house and releases the fish into the river. Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of greed and the joy of gratitude. Readers of the book get to relive the story of Minli's journey, readers Stop believing stories and stop wasting your time. 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. As she debates what to do, she looks down at the Book of Fortune on the Old Mans lap and sees that he has added in the paper she received from the king. "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Summary". If you read Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, you wouldn't be disappointed because it is an incredible book. The principal told me that was not a good idea. publication online or last modification online. date the date you are citing the material. If you read Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, you wouldn't be disappointed because it is an incredible book. He takes Minli there, and she tries to give him the one copper coin she has left. It was written and illustrated by Grace Lin and published in 2009. The journal topics generally cover a group of chapters; teachers may assign them all at the beginning or assign individual topics as appropriate. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. With each photo, ask students to identify what is happening in the picture, what kind of challenge is presented, and what kinds of skills or abilities the subjects need to be successful. 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. Her grief at losing her children made Fruitless Mountain barren of growth. Thus she spent much of her childhood trying to ignore her Asian heritage in order to fit in better with her peers. Photo: Alan Bradley, courtesy ofgracelin.com. It is a mystical dragon, born from a painting that was supposedly owned by the evil Magistrate Tiger (who serves as the villain of the book). where the mountain meets the moon characters - TeachersPayTeachers This first activity introduces the book and requires students to read it and keep a journal. Then the twins, and their grandfather A-Gong, nurse Dragon and lead the travelers to Never-Ending Mountain. They have a line of red thread that was once given to them by the Old Man of the Moon, who told them to keep it until it was needed. They identify the friends and mentors who helped her, and the character traits that led to her success. The next day, Minli sneaks away from her village, leaving a note for her parents saying where she is going. She decides to let it go because of how bitter it made Ma. The rock that Minli removed from Dragons head turns out to be the coveted Dragon Pearl. 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. She realizes that she cannot ask Dragons questionunless she chooses not to ask her own. Suggested techniques: If students are interested in folktales in general, the. Questions to ask during the editing process: EDSITEment is a project of theNational Endowment for the Humanities, Grace Lin: Sharing Asian Traditions with Young Readers, Member of Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, Chinese Dragon: A Powerful Metaphor in Chinese Cultural History", Lions, Dragons, and Nian: Animals of the Chinese New Year, Why Couldnt Snow White Be Chinese? Minli realizes what is truly important in life and is thankful for her family. How important is magic in the story? I definitely recommend this book! Choose a character to represent each of the literary characters. This character visits the Village of the Fruitless Mountain early in the book and at the very end. The Old Man explains that, once every ninety-nine years, someone comes to ask him a question. It is at this point she asks the Old Man in the Moon Dragons question. Draw a Dragon (that could come to life) eNotes Editorial. publication in traditional print. Far away from here introduces the suggestion of an exotic location and/or time; The Jade River suggest China, which is known for jade. She grows up on tales of magical people and places from Ba, her father. 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. Da-Fu and A-Fu lead Minli to Never-Ending Mountain, where the Old Man of the Moon is said to live. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. 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. Identify (4) Traits for this character and supply evidence2. When this story is finished, Minli asks to hear another, but Ba refuses, not wanting to displease Ma. Map Your Own Connections (with red threads) One year later, the goldfish man returns to the town at the base of Fruitless Mountain, and he cannot believe how much it has changed. En route she befriends a dragon who joins her quest. Jade Dragons four children took pity on the people and transformed their bodies into great rivers to nourish the land. Symbols & Motifs. Minli is a strong character and a positive role model. Explain what you mean by each value and show how it is illustrated in one of the embedded folk tales. She supported herself designing for a party company, two years contributing to the worlds landfills as she puts it, until her first book was published. Eventually she decides to run off on a quest to change her family's fortune. The people and the houses look happy and prosperous. Are all your sentences complete and correctly written? Distribute copies of Worksheet 2. At that point, the string turns into a bridge Minli uses to walk up to the moon and visit the Old Man. Have students write a paragraph or more using the following prompt: Your values are your principles, the things that you hold to be important in life. They rush to make her breakfast, and then Ba sees the bump from Dragons head, which Minli has brought home with her. Minli feels guilty when her father gives up some of his food for her fish. The authors writing is elegant, and her full-color illustrations are stunning. She refused to let it rain anymore, thus leaving the people of the earth to suffer and starve. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON is a fantasy-fiction story where Chinese Folklore is engraved throughout the story. "Where The Mountain Meets The Moon,", Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present, Mythopoeic Awards: Acceptance Remarks 2010, "Wheelocks Mountain a vivid adaptation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Where_the_Mountain_Meets_the_Moon&oldid=1135777303, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 20:10. date the date you are citing the material. Dragon also reveals that he was born from a painting and came to life when his eyes were painted. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Study Guide: Analysis With nothing else to occupy them in the evenings, Minlis father spins tales of the Old Man in the Moon and the Jade Dragon. This book is great, I recommend if you want great light reading. Minli's brave, clever, kind, and earnest character is utterly endearing. Get Started where the mountain meets the moon character traits Give them copies of Worksheet 1 or assign questions from the worksheet as the class progresses. At the end of the story, Ba says that he thinks nobody is meant to find Minli, just as the magistrate was not meant to find the paper that explained the secret of happiness. (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. I was glad to see a few things from when I was younger and I started to play with them. It is about Jade Dragon, who used to be beloved by the people of the earth because she controlled the rain that made crops grow. How can the links between the frame story and the embedded Chinese folktales be represented to show how they reinforce the underlying themes of courage and generosity? Finally, see if students can come up with a vivid verb to replace was: sat, clung, perched, etc. 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.