THE GATE, THE GIRL, AND THE DRAGON

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.