MMGG Book 9: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

From Goodreads:

Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of happiness, family, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless adventure story in the classic tradition of The Wizard of Oz.

In the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli spends her days working hard in the fields and her nights listening to her father spin fantastic tales about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. Minli’s mother, tired of their poor life, chides him for filling her head with nonsense. But Minli believes these enchanting stories and embarks on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest.

Why it's MIGHTY:

I love a story with a strong, smart, adventurous heroine. And stories that immerse the reader in another culture. And stories with gorgeous illustrations, especially if they're done by the author herself. And stories that make kids feel like they are in control of their own lives, but also that their lives are part of something greater. I'll stop there, but this is definitely one to read and to share with both boys and girls.

Lin's companion novel, Starry River of the Sky, came out recently and is already garnering praise and starred reviews!