Twin siblings sneak into the emperor’s palace to break a curse in this Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy adventure set in the Ming Dynasty. "[A] magical adventure, which shoots for the moon—and succeeds." — Entertainment Weekly Twins Mei and Yun can’t wait for the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, even though strange things keep happening in their village. A gloomy atmosphere has settled over the land and their grandpa’s usually delicious mooncakes instead taste horrible and bitter, insulting the prince who tastes them. Determined to clear grandpa’s name, Mei and Yun journey through the City of Ashes, visit the mysterious Jade Rabbit, and encounter a powerful poet, who makes them a pact: infiltrate the royal palace to expose a past royal injustice, and the poet will remove the curse that has ensnared their grandfather and village. Seamlessly weaving together folklore, palace intrigue, and historical detail, G. Z. Schmidt delivers an unforgettable adventure set in the Ming Dynasty about sibling bonds and the importance of the past. The beautifully illustrated cover by artist Feifei Ruan shows the twins riding a floating cloud, whose softly curved edges shine with printed gloss. Back matter includes further information on Chinese mythology, philosophy, and more. An enchanting experience, The Dreamweavers is perfect for young fantasy readers. A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year A CCBC Choice Gr 3–7—Twelve-year-old twins Mei and Yun live in the mountains near the Pearl River with their grandpa and cat, Smelly Tail. The villagers find the twins strange and gossip about their parents' mysterious disappearance on a venture to the City of Ashes. Grandpa makes irresistible mooncakes for Mei, Yun, and the villagers using his secret recipe. When the buzz on Grandpa's renowned mooncakes travels to the emperor himself, he sends his son on a special trip to sample the dessert. It is the auspicious Autumn Festival and Grandpa is elated for the prince to try his homemade mooncakes. Instead, a nightmare transpires as the mooncakes taste horrid, the prince is displeased, and the villagers haggle to no end. Grandpa's arrest is the final straw as the village falls into chaos and the weather goes bonkers. It is up to Mei and Yun to grasp the reins and save their grandpa, village, and parents. United, they bravely journey to the obscure City of Ashes where they meet the Jade Rabbit, fly on a magic cloud, and attempt to undo the 70-year-old curse plaguing their village. Set in the mountains of southern China, Schmidt beautifully weaves a tale rooted in Chinese folklore. The book resonates with excitement and fantasy as Mei and Yun experience magic firsthand while using their wits and brainpower. The character development is evident and convincing. Peeling away at the many layers of the narrative sits revenge and love at the center. The captivating resolution is an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth the escapade. The story is balanced with imagination, love, sadness, new friends, old foes, and enchantment. When two ordinary siblings are guided by compassion and big dreams, the sky's the limit as they collaborate to achieve the unthinkable. VERDICT Rick Riordan fans will find this story to be entertaining and engaging as the magical adventure unfolds.—Suraya Jairam, Queens P. L., Hollis, NY "A magical adventure, which shoots for the moon--and succeeds." --Entertainment Weekly ★ "The book resonates with excitement and fantasy as Mei and Yun experience magic firsthand while using their wits and brainpower. . . . The story is balanced with imagination, love, sadness, new friends, old foes, and enchantment. . . . Rick Riordan fans will find this story to be entertaining and engaging as the magical adventure unfolds." —School Library Journal, Starred Review "Schmidt has nicely woven Chinese mythology and history into a fantastic adventure. Readers will find themselves entranced by Schmidt's writing, which will draw them in much in the same way that a storyteller captivates listeners when retelling a folktale." — Booklist "Schmidt creates a beautifully folkloric atmosphere imbued with elements of Chinese culture and myth. Mei, with her gut instinct and fighting skills, and Yun, with his nearsightedness and quick intelligence, make for a compelling lead duo, with plenty of opportunity for comedy and plot-propelling revelations." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "An entertaining tale . . . . " —The Horn Book "In homage to her Chinese roots, Schmidt adroitly interweaves fantastical mythology with the historical context of the Ming Dynasty. . . . the twins' unbreakable bond, paired with rich folkloric details, make for a heartening read." —Publishers Weekly "Seamlessly incorporates folklore and magic into a vivid middle-grade adventure about sibling bonds and destiny. . . . Chinese mythology and philosophy play a prominent role in The Dreamweavers , with Schmidt sewing the Jade