This story jumps between Han Yu, living in 731 China & Luli, living in 1931. Both are struggling with family problems, especially money. Han Yu’s family is very sick and he must take his father shipment and find the medicine to cure them. Lilu is trying to make enough money to save her familly’s building and restaurant. The story eventually weaves between both families.

What a wonderful book! I couldn’t put it down! I had to see what happened with both families. I know that this for middle grades, but I think that it would appeal to even a younger audience, possibly as a read aloud. A definite must to share with others when it comes out!!

Glaser’s Vanderbeekers books have a very nostalgic feel, but she jumps into historical fiction with both feet in The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli. Han Yu is a boy in 731 China while Luli is a girl in 1931 NYC, yet Glaser weaves their stories together as she alternates between them for each chapter. Both are on a hero’s journey as Han Yu embarks on a dangerous journey on the Silk Road while Luli wants to save her family’s building. I hope Glaser will continue with historical fiction — the best of this genre are educational while being entertaining and leave you running to learn more.

A delightful adventure that follows two kids- I. Very different historical time periods- as they connect with their heritage and culture on a quest to save their family. Although very different Luli and Han Yu are connected across time by a beautiful silk that brings them both strength and determination and friendship. Amazing historical middle-grade fiction with remarkable research and extremely likable characters. A must have for elementary libraries!

This book surprised me! Although to be fair, I truly had no expectations going into it. I was a little skeptical about how Tang Dynasty China would find relevance, but Glaser not only made it relevant but made so many connections to today's world! I honestly knew next to nothing about the Silk Road and those who traveled the routes, nor had I given much thought to the artists and poets of that time. I know a bit more about the Great Depression era in America, but even here I saw a new side of the story. Han Lu and Luli are both trying to make things better for their families, and navigating crushing world events (a plague of tuberculosis and the financial ruin of the Great Depression.) Through their strength, perseverance, and smart thinking, both characters are able to find great success in their endeavors. I was also intrigued in how a piece of silk traveled its way throughout the story and connected the two times and places together. This is a great story to provide a peek into other times and experiences, and the adventure both characters experience will keep kids reading!

Book Report: The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli
At First Glance: A new release from the beloved author of the Vanderbeeker’s series, Karina Yan Glaser… say no more!

The Jist: Two young people…one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown…on perilous journeys to save their families.

My Thoughts:
“The journey of a thousand li begins with one step.”

Where to begin with this memorable middle grade. A story with friendship at its center… ones we have held and cherished as well as new vulnerable ones that become life long. Han Yu’s and Luli’s stories compliment each other though they are geographically as well as place in time drastically different the same themes of adventure, survival, and culture are mixed and formed like a delicious boa!

Notable:
“…How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Write poems that make me hold my breath until the very end.”

My question for Karina: If Han Yu could time travel and visit Lilu for a day in NY what would be on the itinerary?

Thank you Harper Kids for sharing this beautiful ARC with me.

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In Ancient China, the mysterious tiger boy, Han Yu, must set out on an adventure to save the people he loves. In 1931 China Town, future restaurant owner and current art-lover, Luli, must find a way to save the place she loves. Told in alternating chapters, the stories of these two courageous young people parallel each other in magical, magnificent ways with a connection that bridges both time and place and endures long after the last page is turned.

I loved both timelines of this story. First, Han Yu, who works selling steam buns with his father in Ancient China until a plague comes to their village and threatens all he holds dear. His character arc is wonderful to watch as he must face challenges, overcome obstacles, and find himself along his journey. I also loved the bit of magic and mystery that peppers his timeline: not enough that I would call this magical realism, but just a little sprinkling. Then, Luli, in depression-era China Town. Although her situation is different, much of the courage and heart she shows is similar, and together these two stories are filled with wonderful examples of bravery, determination, and love for family. And the thing that binds these two stories together... It's done so well. I was so worried that this was going to go in another direction, but it was perfect.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys middle grade historical fiction, is interested in Chinese culture, or just wants a really good read.

Beautiful story told in two timelines/POVs. I usually end up having a favorite set of characters but I truly loved both Han Yu's and Luli's characters and their stories kept me turning the pages. LOVED! What a beautiful story of friendship and courage. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book before it is published in September.

From the author of the Vanderbeekers series comes a quite different story alternating between 731 Chang’An China (theTang Dynasty) and 1931 Chinatown, NY.
In China we meet Han Yu who has an unusual relationship with animals and around whom some have said they’ve glimpsed a tiger. During a plague, Han Yu must take his father’s place and deliver goods to a city that is hundreds of miles away. To make money to support his journey, Han Yu makes steamed buns.

New York is in the middle of the Great Depression and Luli Lee’s family Jade Palace Restaurant, once filled with patrons, is struggling to the point they may lose the building. The building also houses Silk Roads Gift Shop on its street level as well as five apartments in which both Luli and her friend Sam live. Can Luli and Sam come up with an idea to make enough money to save their home? Alternating between Han Yu’s journey and Luli Lee’s plans to help her parents comes a page-turning story of two children’s ingenuity and courage distanced by hundreds of years, but tied together by their traditions.

This is the best historical fiction book I’ve read in a while. I loved that it was told with two different narrators and in two different time periods. I learned a lot about the silk Road and the history of ancient China as well as what it was like in Chinatown during the Great Depression. I will definitely use this in my teaching of ancient civilizations in my social studies class.

📚 Book Review: The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
As a devoted fan of Karina Yan Glaser's work, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli through NetGalley. A heartfelt thank you to @NetGalley and @harpercollinchin for this opportunity.
This historical fiction novel intertwines two captivating stories: Han Yu's journey along the Silk Road in ancient China and Luli's life in 1930s New York during the Great Depression. Their tales are connected by a piece of silk, a poem, and steamed buns, weaving a tapestry of adventure and resilience.
What I Loved:
❤️ Han Yu's Gentle Spirit: His deep love for his family and the animals he cares for, including the camel down the lane, is truly touching.
❤️ Luli's Compassion: Her selflessness, from helping her family's business to feeding stray animals, showcases her kind heart.
❤️ Community and Family Bonds: Both characters are surrounded by supportive, generous individuals, highlighting the importance of community.
❤️ Universal Themes: Despite the different settings and eras, both Han Yu and Luli embark on quests to help their families, reflecting the timeless power of love and sacrifice.
Karina Yan Glaser (@katrinaisreadingandwritiing) masterfully portrays how ordinary people, even in challenging times, can find strength and unity through love. This novel is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and family.
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli will be released on September 16, 2025. I highly recommend pre-ordering this book to ensure it graces your bookshelf.

This book is truly a page turner. Chapters are comprised of alternating point of views and time periods ending with cliffhangers. The story was compelling and I felt emotionally connected to the main characters. Han Yu (731 China) and Luli (1931 Chinatown), the main characters, share parallel experiences of undergoing and overcoming obstacles in order to help their families. They grow tremendously, gain deep friendships and foster true community along the way. The storytelling is exquisite and descriptive without being cumbersome or boring. I stayed up late finishing the last 80 pages. Overall, it was a heartwarming story but had some tragic moments throughout.

As always Karina knocked it out of the park. She has such a way of getting you to love the character from the first chapters. The book is engaging and certainly brings up a craving or two for dim sum. Excellent job Karina.

STATS
“The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli” by Karina Yan Glaser

Published: 2025
Hardcover: 432 pages
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Independent Reading Age: 8-12 years
Read Aloud Age: 6-16 years

SYNOPSIS
This book is told in dual timelines, Han Yu is a young boy living during the Tang dynasty of ancient China during the Silk Trade Routes, and Luli is a young girl living in Chinatown, New York City during the Great Depression. In alternating chapters, each told from the point of view of either Luli or Han Yu, you follow them through the adversities of their time: Luli overcoming the hardships of the Great Depression, and Han Yu traveling the Silk Trade Routes as a young boy.

MY THOUGHTS
This book immediately intrigued me. I love the cover, the contrasting color choice and how the images of the two storylines are represented and weaved together. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the beginning of the book. Before the story starts, Karina Yan Glaser shares where her inspiration came from in writing this story. Her love of tea time and dim sum growing up intrigued her to look into the history of dim sum. When she did and learned the roots went back to the Silk Trade Route she immediately saw a story she wanted to share. For me, that author note in the beginning of the book was the promise made to me to keep reading. That promise, that my reading of this book would get rewarded with learning how dim sum started kept me flipping the pages. I have memories of my early dating years with my husband that involved dim sum, so such as promise was dear to my heart. Not all of my questions about the history of dim sum was answered within the pages of this story, but it whetted my appetite to research future on my own.

The story itself is gentle told in short chapters. This is a great book that can reach both a young audience as well as an older audience. The middle grade novels are often advertised for those between the ages of 8-12 years old. But this book makes a good family read aloud because it reaches younger than 8 years old and even older than 12 years old. I appreciated how the dual storylines each had their own plot arch, but still fit together nicely in terms of pacing and content.

For the older audience, they will be more mature and observant and find it interesting to see how the the two dual storylines mirror each other. Its not in a super obvious way. But for the observant reader they can see echos of images of aspect imprinted from Ancient China to Chinatown, New York City. This also would make it a good reread for those who like to discover those things.

At the end of the book the author shares more about the historical aspect of the book, which parts are true and which parts are fiction. As a mom I appreciated this part of the book. I also appreciated the bibliography that was also included for those who might want to do more reading in any specific historical aspect of the story. I would have loved if the bibliography was taken a set further and a specific book recommendation reading list was giving, aimed at the reading level of the audience (ages 8-12) that highlighted each of these aspects: dim sum, silk art, Ancient Chinese poetry.

RECOMMENDATION
Personally, this book would be a great book for a book club spanning a wide age range. It’s hard to find a book that reaches both younger and older audiences. It has many historical elements that is also fun for the teacher or homeschool mom to pull out for specific activities. And as someone living in Asia, it is always a win when an another good book comes out that is set in Asia. Now I want dim sum.

(NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book. Thank you publishers for this opportunity!)