The Dreamweavers

In the 1500s, 12-year-old fraternal twins Mei and Yun Wu, who have lived with their grandfather since their parents disappeared six years ago, eagerly anticipate the Mid-Autumn Festival, especially since the son of China's emperor will visit the village to sample Grandpa Wu's famed secret-ingredient mooncakes. But when strange weather sours the mood--and Grandpa's mooncakes--the prince is insulted, and Grandpa is taken away by royal officials. Opposite but balanced, the twins combine their strengths to devise a rescue plan, hoping to learn the truth behind their scholar parents' mysterious disappearance along the way. Their trek leads them to the cursed City of Ashes, where an encounter with the mythical Jade Rabbit reveals a tantalizing inherited gift. Armed with this knowledge, and striking a deal with a vengeful riddle-speaking poet, the twins sneak into the Imperial Palace for answers. In homage to her Chinese roots, Schmidt adroitly interweaves fantastical mythology with the historical context of the Ming Dynasty. Though some plot points skew predictable, the twins' unbreakable bond, paired with rich folkloric details, make for a heartening read. Back matter features an author's note detailing story influences. Ages 8-12. Agent: Adria Goetz, Martin Literary Management. (Sept.)

Gr 3–7—Twelve-year-old twins Mei and Yun live in the mountains near the Pearl River with their grandpa and cat, Smelly Tail. The villagers find the twins strange and gossip about their parents' mysterious disappearance on a venture to the City of Ashes. Grandpa makes irresistible mooncakes for Mei, Yun, and the villagers using his secret recipe. When the buzz on Grandpa's renowned mooncakes travels to the emperor himself, he sends his son on a special trip to sample the dessert. It is the auspicious Autumn Festival and Grandpa is elated for the prince to try his homemade mooncakes. Instead, a nightmare transpires as the mooncakes taste horrid, the prince is displeased, and the villagers haggle to no end. Grandpa's arrest is the final straw as the village falls into chaos and the weather goes bonkers. It is up to Mei and Yun to grasp the reins and save their grandpa, village, and parents. United, they bravely journey to the obscure City of Ashes where they meet the Jade Rabbit, fly on a magic cloud, and attempt to undo the 70-year-old curse plaguing their village. Set in the mountains of southern China, Schmidt beautifully weaves a tale rooted in Chinese folklore. The book resonates with excitement and fantasy as Mei and Yun experience magic firsthand while using their wits and brainpower. The character development is evident and convincing. Peeling away at the many layers of the narrative sits revenge and love at the center. The captivating resolution is an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth the escapade. The story is balanced with imagination, love, sadness, new friends, old foes, and enchantment. When two ordinary siblings are guided by compassion and big dreams, the sky's the limit as they collaborate to achieve the unthinkable. VERDICT Rick Riordan fans will find this story to be entertaining and engaging as the magical adventure unfolds.