Runaway Rendi reluctantly takes a job as chore boy at the inn in the struggling Village of Clear Sky. His plan was to get farther away from home, but he was caught stowing away in a wine merchant’s wagon. Rendi hopes he’ll get another chance to stow away, but the only guest who comes to the inn is Madame Chang, who doesn’t leave. She does tell wonderful stories, about a gentle man who grows cruel with power, and his grieving wife who eventually transforms into the moon. Rendi finds this interesting because the moon is missing from the sky each night, and at first he seems to be the only one who’s noticed. He also thinks he’s the only one who can hear the weeping that permeates the air once darkness falls. Then he realizes Madame Chang hears it too. As she did in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Little, Brown, 2009), Grace Lin once again fashions an intriguing plot that weaves in versions of traditional Chinese tales. In this case, the tales reflect new dimensions of the characters that populate the world in which the story is set. When Rendi, too, starts telling stories, he reveals the past he left behind—a past that catches up to him when travelers finally do arrive at the inn. Beautiful bookmaking, with decorated chapter headings and lovely, occasional full-page, full-color illustrations complete this distinctive offering that affirms the power of forgiveness and the value of love and family. (Ages 8–12)

From bestselling author Grace Lin comes the companion to the Newbery Honor winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and the National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver.

The moon is missing from the remote Village of Clear Sky, but only a young boy named Rendi seems to notice! Rendi has run away from home and is now working as a chore boy at the village inn. He can't help but notice the village's peculiar inhabitants and their problems.

But one day, a mysterious lady arrives at the Inn with the gift of storytelling, and slowly transforms the villagers and Rendi himself. As she tells more stories and the days pass in the Village of Clear Sky, Rendi begins to realize that perhaps it is his own story that holds the answers to all those questions.

Newbery Honor author Grace Lin brings readers another enthralling fantasy featuring her marvelous full-color illustrations. Starry River of the Sky is filled with Chinese folklore, fascinating characters, and exciting new adventures.