Year of the Rat

Pinmei's gentle, loving grandmother always has the most thrilling tales for her granddaughter and the other villagers. However, the peace is shattered one night when soldiers of the Emperor arrive and kidnap the storyteller. Everyone knows that the Emperor wants something called the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Determined to have her grandmother returned, Pinmei embarks on a journey to find the Luminous Stone alongside her friend Yishan, a mysterious boy who seems to have his own secrets to hide. Together, the two must face obstacles usually found only in legends to find the Luminous Stone and save Pinmei's grandmother — before it's too late.

A fast-paced adventure with stunning illustrations, When the Sea Turned to Silver is a masterpiece companion novel to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky. Finalist for National Book Award.

Join Minli as she journeys to save her village and her family from a dreary fate. A storyteller’s voice effectively brings to life this unforgettable award-winning novel, illustrated with exquisite Chinese paintings.

Grace (aka Pacy) does a lot of growing up during the Year of the Dog. She meets and befriends another Asian girl, learns a bit about her Taiwanese background, and discovers her talent. Simply drawn illustrations and a straightforward voice make this culturally specific story universally appealing.