March 1, 2025
Grades 3-6 Delivering her first original novel in over eight years, Newbery Honor winner Lin spins a story about Gongshi--stone spirits carved by humans, who are unaware of their magical guardian powers. Jin is the rambunctious cub of lion statues who would rather play zuqiu than be like his father, protecting the Sacred Sphere, which maintains the balance of life. After an outburst, Jin dislodges the Sacred Sphere and, in his pursuit of it, passes through the spirit gates, whereupon he enters the human world and discovers he is no longer stone. Chapters switch focus among Jin's reality, Jin's father's turmoil, and the nefarious dealings of the Dragon and the Sculptor who seek the Sacred Sphere. As the world crumbles, Jin join forces with Lulu (a human girl) and the Worm to find the Sacred Sphere and return Jin to his home. Lin's cool-toned, full-color illustrations bring the story's atmospheric settings to life. Just as the Sacred Sphere is woven of many threads, the legends Lin combines create a fulfilling hero's-journey narrative through Jin.
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March 15, 2025
A Stone Lion cub travels from the spirit realm into ours in order to save his world from a sinister force. More than anything, Stone Lion cub Jin wants to score a Golden Goal in a game of zuqiu. When they aren't serving as guardians for the human world, the Gongshi (or stone spirits) delight in raucous games of the soccerlike sport. That is, except for Jin's father, who insists on delivering boring lectures about their role as protectors for the people on the other side of the Old City Gate. Unbeknownst to the Gongshi, however, an ancient power has set into motion a plan that could lead to the end of all stone spirits--while also trapping Jin on the human side of the gate. As Jin makes new friendships with Lulu (a young, black-haired human girl) and a dragon they call the Worm, he comes to treasure the human world, even as he longs for home. Award-winner Lin's distinctive artistic style is on display in the full-color illustrations that bring Jin and his friends to life; in pages saturated with color and emotion, the lion cub falters, recovers, and triumphs. While the plot twists follow familiar fantasy tropes, the original worldbuilding and epic lore, both of which include fantastical elements drawn from or inspired by Chinese folklore, will engage and excite young readers. Captivating, thrilling, and emotionally satisfying. (author's note)(Fantasy. 8-12)
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Starred review from April 18, 2025
Gr 4-7-In the spirit world, the Sacred Sphere rests on a pedestal in the Stone Lion's house, the key to keeping the gate open between the spirit and human worlds. Jin, the lion cub, has no interest in guarding the Sphere or keeping watch over the humans; those tasks are nowhere near as fun as kicking the zuqiu ball with his friends. But when a sulking Jin knocks the Sphere over, he sends it into the human world and severs its connection with the gate. Now, Jin is stuck. He befriends Lulu, a girl who can hear a strange voice, and a worm claiming to be a dragon. The three of them must reclaim the Sphere, or the connection will be lost forever. This book weaves Chinese lore with the modern world, connecting characters and events in a way that demonstrates Lin's prowess as a storyteller. Readers will rapidly turn pages, wanting to know what the Sculptor is up to or if there really is a woman trapped inside the bell. The story pushes deeper, too, exploring themes of loss, change, and greed, most notably what the desperation of grief can push someone to do. The unique cast of characters-a stone lion, a worm who might be a dragon, and many more-come to life as vividly as the spirit world, staying with readers long after the story ends. VERDICT This fantastical tale of stone spirits, dragons, and humans is an enchanting must-have for any school library.-Kristin Brynsvold
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