The Shadow in the Moon

Written by Christina Matula · Illustrated by Pearl Law

Two sisters discover the legend behind mooncakes and a brave archer's sacrifice.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 148 ratings

32 pages· 750 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

$16.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Two sisters eagerly listen as their grandmother recounts the legend of Hou Yi, a heroic archer who saved the world from scorching suns. Rewarded with a magic potion, his wife Chang'E faces a thief's threat, leading to her transformation into the Lady in the Moon. As the sisters savor mooncakes, they learn how this ancient tale shapes their Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Will Chang'E's courage inspire them? Dive into a story where folklore and family traditions intertwine, revealing the heart of a cherished holiday.

"Our family comes together and becomes whole again, like the whole, full moon."

— from the book

From the publisher

Join two sisters as they listen to their grandmother tell the tale of the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hou Yi, a brave archer, saves the world from drought and is given a magic potion for his deeds. Chang’e, his wife, courageously protects the potion from a thief and is transformed into the Lady in the Moon.

This is a tale of sweethearts, mooncakes, and how the Mid-Autumn Festival came to be.

Awards

CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) (2018)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Words: 750
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 640L

Themes & topics

Books about outer space Books about China Books about the moon Books about holidays Books about places and regions

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

“Verdict: A good introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese culture, perfect for classroom use or one-on-one reading.”

School Library Journal

Critic

“The cartoonlike illustrations are reminiscent of Tomie dePaola, with warm reds and yellows effectively used to depict the heat of the 10 suns, while cool greens and blues show the earth’s relief under only one sun. Useful for introducing a significant festival celebrated in Chinese and other East Asian cultures.”

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