Jin is a lion. But not the kind you’d find in the zoo. Instead, he is a Gongshi in charge of helping people and protecting the Sacred Sphere. Jin has never been too interested in people, and one day he fails at his greatest charge: The Sacred Sphere is gone.
Jin is a lion Gongshi, a stone that became a guardian once it was carved. His people live in the land of the Gongshi, but they also travel into the human world to help and protect people. However, Jin isn’t that interested in humans.
But one day, the unfathomable happens: Jin knocks the Sacred Sphere off its stand, and it rolls out of the gate into the human world. Jin chases after it only to end up lost in the human world unable to return to his family. He has no idea what to do. Thankfully, he meets Lulu and the Worm (who claims to actually be a dragon).
Jin’s new friends gradually help him see the importance of carrying out his duty and returning the Sacred Sphere to its rightful place. But the trio encounters ancient evil and disasters as they try to answer the most pressing question: Where is the Sacred Sphere?
With his new friends, Jin survives natural disasters and tries to understand how to right his world. However, the trio soon realizes an evil presence lurks behind the Sphere’s disappearance. As they continue their quest, they discover they have mere days to return the Sacred Sphere to the land of the Gongshi before it’s too late.
None.
This story is based on Chinese mythology, including a creation narrative featuring the goddess Nuwa. Many mythical elements are mentioned throughout the story, including Gongshi, dragons, monsters, demons, omens and magic medicine. Prayers and burnt offerings are made to the dragon. The afterlife and Buddhism are also referenced.
Jin is frustrated because his father doesn’t care about the sport he loves, but Jin’s father is frustrated that Jin won’t take his responsibilities seriously. One dragon uses his powers for good, while another uses his to manipulate and deceive.
A character known as the Sculptor has a wife and daughter who die from an illness. Lulu and Jin are almost trampled during a dust storm. A governor decrees that Zhong will be executed if he doesn’t make a giant bell. Mei Hua throws herself into molten bronze because of a legend that says this will keep the bronze liquid so it can be cast, saving Zhong’s life. The evil dragon tells the Sculptor to kill Jin. Swearing is mentioned. An earthquake kills some and injures many, and a pregnant woman is afraid she’ll lose her baby. The Worm appears to fall to his death. The Sculptor stabs Jin with a seam ripper.
None.
Jin believed his responsibilities were boring. What are some of your responsibilities? Do you take these seriously? Why or why not?
Jin listened to the evil dragon’s advice at first. Read Colossians 2:6-8. How can you make sure you don’t fall for lies that our culture, especially entertainment, might tell you?
In the end, Jin and his father understood each other better. Is there anyone you feel like doesn’t understand you? What can you do to understand each other better?
Grace Lin writes a story full of mystery and adventure, though the violence and mythology could be problematic for young readers. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon clearly delineates between good and evil, and it will keep most readers engaged throughout as they try to discern what Jin should do. Jin is an unlikable character for much of the book due to his complaining and poor decisions, but he demonstrates clear development and maturity by the end.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
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.
