The Girl, The Gate, And The Dragon by Grace Lin
After nine years, bestselling author-illustrator Grace Lin returns to middle grade literature with her first original novel in nearly a decade: The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon (Little, Brown and Company). Based on Chinese folklore, both ancient and modern, Lin weaves a delightful story of friendship, duty, bravery and balance.
A Magical Mishap Sparks an Unforgettable Journey
The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon follows Jin, a young Stone Spirit lion cub, whose family’s responsibility is to guard the Old City Gate and offer protection to the humans on the other side. Jin’s father is the keeper of the Sacred Sphere, a magical item that helps to keep balance in both the human and spirit worlds. Jin couldn’t be less interested in guarding spheres or humans, and instead dreams of becoming the greatest zuqiu player the spirit world has ever seen. When Jin accidentally knocks the Sacred Sphere into the human world, he has no choice but to try to catch it, chasing it into the human world as the Old City Gates seal behind him.
Alone and locked out of his home world, Jin finds help in an unlikely pair; a young girl named Lulu who can’t remember much of her past, and a worm who claims to be a mighty dragon reduced to this tiny form with the closing of the Gate. Together, they set out on a journey to reopen the Gate, and recover the Sacred Sphere, while the Stone Spirits back home try their own methods from the other side. Along the way Jin encounters mysterious voices, glittering dragons and more, all while he discovers what it means to be brave, to fulfill your duties and to put the needs of others above your own.
The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon is a lyrical, touching piece that will warm your heart, make you smile and maybe even bring a tear to your eye.
Stunning Visuals and Rich Language Bring the Story to Life
Lin has crafted a beautiful story in her return to middle grade literature. Gorgeous artwork is woven throughout the book, both in full-page, full-color illustrations, as well as simple yet clever art with each chapter heading. I loved the detailed, vivid imagery that Lin wields to bring us into the story. Sensory details set the scene, and dozens of descriptive similes pack the pages, blending together into a full-bodied, breathtaking world. The characters are each multifaceted and layered, driven by their goals but constantly responding and changing with the world around them.
A Heartfelt Tale Full of Mystery, Growth, and Wonder
I enjoyed the journey that Lin takes us on with Jin’s character arc. No matter your age, there is something to be taken from the lessons that the little stone lion cub learns over the course of the book. Lin deftly weaves the world and characters together, while leaving us a trail of breadcrumbs to follow and guess at what the end results will be. Will Jin ever return to the world of the Stone Spirits? Why can’t Lulu remember her past? Who is the mysterious Sculptor? Will the trio be able to save both worlds before it’s too late?
If you love a book with stunning worldbuilding, charming characters, vivid language and detail and just the right amount of suspense, then The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon is for you!
About Grace Lin:
Photo credit: Danielle Tait
Grace Lin is the author and illustrator of more than 20 books for kids — from picture books to young adult novels. Most of her books are about the Asian-American experience, yet their themes are often universal. “Books erase bias, they make the uncommon everyday, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal.”
