In A.D. 731 China, Han Yu looks for a way to save his family from a deadly plague. 1,200 years later in Chinatown, New York City, Luli faces similar troubles during the Great Depression, desperately searching for a way to keep her family going.
In A.D. 731 China, Han Yu looks for a way to save his family from a deadly plague. 1,200 years later in Chinatown, New York City, Luli faces similar troubles during the Great Depression, desperately searching for a way to keep her family going.
China in A.D. 731 is a land of peace and prosperity, with the Silk Road connecting cities and encouraging trade. Han Yu is intrigued by the stories he hears from those who have traveled on the road, but he is also content to spend his days selling steam buns with his father out of their market stall.
Then the plague strikes.
When his family becomes infected, Han Yu decides to embark on a journey to transport some goods along the Silk Road in order to earn enough money to potentially save his family’s lives. Along the way, he befriends Du Fu, another traveling boy a little older than him.
As they travel through harsh weather and face grave danger, their friendship grows. And soon, Han Yu makes a bold decision: They are going to search for the rumored mythical healing grasses in order to save his family.
New York City in 1931 is full of many sights and sounds. Luli loves helping at her family’s restaurant, which will one day belong to her. However, as the Great Depression deepens, her parents face foreclosure.
Luli and her friends brainstorm ways to bring in more money and hold on to her family’s restaurant. But they can’t keep scraping together the payments this way. Luli knows her family’s future depends on her finding another solution fast.
Churches, nuns and priests are mentioned. Luli attends a Catholic school.
Taoist and Buddhist religions and practices are mentioned. Buddha statues appear throughout the story. A pagan temple is mentioned. Stars are said to reveal the emperor’s actions. A river deity is mentioned. Han Yu wishes on stars. Buddhist monks help Han Yu and Du Fu. Myths and legends are discussed. Characters pray, but the object of their prayers is unclear. Han Yu has a mysterious tiger protector. This tiger seems to magically bring a piece of silk to Han Yu.
The emperor rules the land in ancient China. Both Luli and Han Yu’s parents are kind and fair.
A neighbor whips and abuses a camel. Han Yu hears about robberies and fatal tiger attacks on the Silk Road. We learn that someone’s son died of severe burns. A sandstorm almost kills Han Yu and Du Fu. A man is attacked and severely hurt when his store gets robbed.
Merchants threaten to rob Han Yu. A mysterious man threatens Luli before he gets attacked by a dog. Art thieves try to kidnap Luli and her friend Sam—and they threaten to kill Sam.
Drinking is mentioned. Han Yu calls his drunken neighbor “Old Man Buffoon.”
None.
What is your family’s legacy? Is this a legacy you want to upkeep or transform?
What are some of your goals for when you grow up? How do you hope to accomplish them?
Read Hebrews 13:16. How can you put this verse into practice?
Karina Yan Glaser weaves two fun journeys into this book sure to capture young readers’ attention. She uses admirable themes of friendship and perseverance to encourage readers to invest in important relationships in their own lives. However, the prevalent nature of Buddhism and other eastern religions could be concerning for some families.
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Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
