Starry River of the Sky

In Lin’s book based on Chinese folklore, Rendi is a young runaway who finds himself working as a chore boy at a remote inn in the Village of Clear Sky. Master Chow and his young daughter take the surly boy in, along with a strange woman named Madame Chang. At first, all Rendi can think about is leaving the inn. But soon, he becomes entranced by Madame Chang, the stories she tells, and her transformative powers over the inhabitants of the Village of Clear Sky. But trouble arises when Rendi notices that the moon is missing and hears the sky moaning, as if in deep grief. Narrator Kim Mai Guest delivers an engaging performance that allows listeners to get lost in the story. Additionally, she creates distinct and vivid voices for the characters in an audio edition that features lovely incidental music. This is a gorgeous audiobook—and listeners will want to hear it again and again. Ages 8-12. A Little, Brown hardcover. (Oct.)