THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI

A boy in China in 731 C.E. and a girl in New York in 1931 face separate hardships and adventures but are connected by common threads.

Eleven-year-old Han Yu lives a simple life in Chang’An. He’s seen as unusual because of the various animals that are drawn to him—even a tiger, which has earned him the nickname “Tiger Boy.” But Han Yu enjoys ordinary activities, like making steamed buns to sell with his father at the busy market. Eleven-year-old Luli Lee has a modest and happy Depression-era existence in New York City’s Chinatown. She’s been helping her immigrant parents run their restaurant in the building they’re saving up to buy. But disaster strikes both children’s lives: Members of Han Yu’s family contract a mysterious, deadly respiratory illness, and Luli’s family business and home are at risk of foreclosure. Both young people summon their courage, creativity, and determination as they go on adventures to help their families. As two exciting parallel stories of family, friendship, and community unfold, they bravely confront a variety of challenges, supported by loyal animal companions. While their storylines are distinct, they’re connected through cultural elements that reverberate through their historical eras. The alternating third-person chapters following Han Yu’s and Luli’s story arcs are strongly paced and highly suspenseful. Detailed descriptions make this a vibrant love letter to Chinese culture, food, history, poetry, and art. Final art not seen.

Thrilling, heartwarming adventures highlight commonalities that span centuries.