Starry River of the Sky


Children - Grade 4th-6th
304 Pages
Reviewed on 11/20/2012
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

"Starry River of the Sky" by Grace Lin is truly one of those books you want your young readers to read. It is a book whose messages will stay with the child long after the story has ended. The moon has been missing in the small village occupied by a young boy named Rendi. Rendi is actually a boy from a wealthy family but he has run away, believing he is not valued by his family. Working as a chore boy in a small village, he encounters crazy Mr. Shan and a mysterious lady who tells tales which seem to have hidden meanings. Actually the woman is providing clues about the problem of the missing moon. The mysterious woman encourages Rendi to tell his own tales and it is in Rendi's storytelling that the mysteries of the missing moon begin to reveal themselves.

All of the characters are charming and well-developed in values and purpose. The Chinese folklore provides exciting mental adventures for the child as well as intrigue which stimulates curiosity and imagination. The illustrations are charming and they enhance the reader's ability to visualize a personal experience while trying to solve the mystery at hand. I particularly loved the interplay between the children Rendi and Peiyi as they gradually made the transition from lack of interpersonal awareness to a state of insight into individual differences as well as the trials and tribulations of the human condition in general. A beautiful book from cover to cover.