*The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli takes readers on parallel quests through 8th-century China and New York’s Depression-Era Chinatown.

*The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser. HarperCollins, 2025. 432 pages.

Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 8-15

In Chang’An, capital city of old China, Han Yu sells steamed buns with his father in a bustling market. He’s a middle child with middling abilities—at least, in comparison with his accomplished siblings. But rumors surround him: how a tiger appeared in the family garden days after his birth and gazed at the baby in the arms of his terrified mother. And then simply melted away. Ever since, the boy seems to have a special affinity for animals, and they for him. Otherwise he leads a perfectly ordinary life while longing to accompany his father and uncle on one of their trading jaunts. Then a plague strikes the city. With his whole family affected, and his sister seriously ill, Han Yu is the only one who can undertake a dangerous mission along the trade route known as the Silk Road.

In New York’s Depression-era Chinatown, Luli gazes out from the roof of her parents’ Jade Palace Restaurant, dreaming of the day she’ll learn to cook their dim sum specialties—if Yiyi, their temperamental chef, will ever let her in the kitchen. In the meantime she can conduct informal tours of the Silk Road Museum and Gift Shop, her family’s small collection of Chinese art. Soon, though, she has deeper worries than banishment from the kitchen. Business is down, and if Baba can’t make the next mortgage payment they risk foreclosure. Luli can’t let that happen—but what can an 11-year-old girl do?

Both children must venture out of their familiar neighborhoods to meet a family crisis. Han Yu’s quest is filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, and one colorful, faithful companion. Luli’s is more pedestrian, but she too must step outside her accustomed limits and face uncertainty and danger. The novel is masterfully constructed, with short chapters (many ending in cliffhangers) switching from 731 China to 1930s Chinatown. Han Yu’s journey is a hundred-mile epic while Luli’s is more contained, but their stories are connected in a way astute readers will begin to guess by the middle of the book.

A multitude of characters with Chinese names may make for a slowish start, but the story soon picks up to a thrilling adventure. The tiger in Han Yu’s story adds a fantasy element similar to Aslan in The Horse and His Boy, even though the tiger never identifies himself. He “reminded [Han Yu] that something bigger was out there, watching over him.” The main characters’ religious beliefs are not made explicit, though Luli attends a Catholic school and a Buddhist monk plays a pivotal role in Han Yu’s story. Luli disobeys her parents by venturing out of the neighborhood, but never explicitly lies. Themes of family love and loyalty, courage, kindness, and taking responsibility will resonate long after the story ends. (NOTE: The Nine Moons officially releases on September 16, but it available for preorder (and library requests) now.

Considerations: none

Bottom Line:  A most rewarding and colorful tale of courage, loyalty, resourcefulness—and dim sum!

Related Reading at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews:  We love Glaser’s Vanderbeeker series! If you haven’t encountered this urban family, start with The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and use the links at the bottom of the post to find the others. Also see our starred review of Karina’s A Duet For Home.
• Reviews: For a whirlwind tour of Chinese culture from ancient times to the present, see our review of China through Time, then stimulate your taste buds with Chinese Menu.
• Reflection: Betsy and Janie discuss The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, a rollicking tale that takes place along the legendary Silk Road.

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