Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a rich, magical adventure that combines Chinese folklore, family devotion, and the search for true contentment. The story follows Minli, a brave and curious girl who lives with her parents in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, a place where the land is barren and hope often feels out of reach. When Minli hears the tales of the Old Man of the Moon, a legendary figure said to know the answers to life’s deepest questions, she decides to set out on a daring journey to change her family’s fortune.

Along the way, Minli encounters talking creatures, mythical beings, and new friends—most notably Dragon, who longs to know why he cannot fly. Their paths intertwine as they face challenges, share stories, and discover that fortune is measured in much more than gold. As Minli pieces together clues from the tales she hears, she begins to understand the book’s central themes: gratitude, generosity, courage, and the power of family.

Our Read-Aloud Poster for this award-winning novel uses a unique, interactive structure—dual rotating dials with activity windows—inspired both by the book’s title (“moon”) and its circular storytelling structure. Just as Minli’s quest eventually brings her back home, the poster guides readers through patterns and symbols that connect the beginning and end of her journey.

This Spotlight blog post is divided into two sections:
• Top Dial activities: These span the entire book and stay visible from start to finish.
• Bottom Dial activities: These repeat with each new stop on Minli’s journey and become visible only for that section of the story.

Top Dial / Whole-Book Activities

Colors: Patterns and Symbolism

Colors play an important role in the story’s imagery, especially in describing meaningful objects and moments. The rainbow on the poster invites readers to track each color they notice, look for patterns, and ask big questions:

• Why might the author have chosen these specific colors?
• Do they echo traditional Chinese symbolism?
• How do colors reinforce the story’s themes or emotional beats?

This activity helps readers deepen their attention to detail and appreciate the book’s cultural and artistic layers.

Generous vs. Selfish

 

Throughout Minli’s journey, characters make choices that lean toward generosity or selfishness. This section of the poster provides space to observe those decisions as they arise. Readers explore how Grace Lin uses acts of giving (or withholding) to reinforce the broader themes of kindness, sacrifice, and contentment. It’s a simple but powerful way to see how character choices shape the story.

What’s in Minli’s Bag?

One of Minli’s first helpers, a wise goldfish, tells her what to bring on her journey. This part of the poster lets readers track each item and when Minli uses it. It’s a wonderful lens for noticing author’s craft—how Grace Lin plants meaningful details early on that unfold later with purpose.

Family Character Portraits

Minli, Ma, and Ba anchor the emotional heart of the book. On the top dial, readers can sketch or describe each character using details from the text, then revisit and refine their portraits as the story progresses. Along with targeted discussion questions, this activity helps readers reflect on how the family changes—and how Minli’s adventure helps reshape all of their perspectives.

 

Bottom Dial / Section-Specific Activities

As Minli travels toward the Old Man of the Moon, she moves through a series of memorable settings—each with its own characters, challenges, and discoveries. For every new stop on her journey, simply rotate the top dial to reveal the corresponding windows on the bottom dial. Each section invites readers to observe closely and connect deeply with that part of the story.

 

Setting and Main Event

In the largest window, you’ll find a partially illustrated border to help set the scene. As you read, use details from the text to fill in the rest of the setting: colors, landmarks, weather, or anything else that brings the place to life. After finishing the section, work together to identify the most important event, then complete the illustration to capture that moment. This activity helps readers visualize the story settings and identify the important events that move the plot forward.

Additional Character Portraits

Although Minli begins her journey alone, she soon encounters a variety of new companions—and a few memorable adversaries. Some join her for part of the quest; others appear briefly but leave a lasting impact. Each section includes a prompt hinting at which character to draw. Listen closely for descriptive details as you read, then use those clues to create a portrait. It’s a fun way to observe character traits and keep track of Minli’s growing circle of connections.

Discussion Questions

The third window offers a section-specific discussion starter designed to spark conversation and help readers dig deeper. Use the prompt to reflect on themes, characters, or choices in that part of the story, or let it serve as a jumping-off point for your own questions. These mini-discussions are perfect for building comprehension and encouraging thoughtful reflection.

Conclusion

Whether you’re reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon at home, in a classroom, or with a book club, this Read-Aloud Poster turns the story into an interactive, shared adventure. The rotating dials guide you through Minli’s journey step by step, helping readers notice patterns, follow themes, and connect more meaningfully with the characters and their choices.

We hope you’ll use the poster alongside your read-aloud to enrich discussion, spark curiosity, and create a memorable experience with this beautiful, hope-filled novel. Let it be your map as you travel with Minli—all the way to the Old Man of the Moon and back home again.