When the Sea Turned to Silver
Pinmei’s gentle, loving grandmother always has the most exciting tales for her granddaughter and the other villagers. However, the peace is shattered one night when soldiers of the Emperor arrive and kidnap the storyteller.
Everyone knows that the Emperor wants something called the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Determined to have her grandmother returned, Pinmei embarks on a journey to find the Luminous Stone alongside her friend Yishan, a mysterious boy who seems to have his own secrets to hide. Together, the two must face obstacles usually found only in legends to find the Luminous Stone and save Pinmei’s grandmother–before it’s too late.
A fast-paced adventure that is extraordinarily written and beautifully illustrated, When the Sea Turned to Silver is a masterpiece companion novel to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky.
Awards
• A New York Times Bestseller
• A National Book Award Finalist
• An IndieBound Bestseller
• ALA Notable Book for Children
• An Amazon Best Books of 2016 Pick
• A CCBC Children’s Choices Pick
• NPR Best Books of 2016
• The New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2016
• B&N Kids Blog 10 Notable Middle Grade Novels of 2016
• KPBS Top 12 Kid’s Books of 2016
• School Library Journal Best of 2016: Middle Grade
• Booklist Editors’ Choice 2016
• Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2016
Reviews
Publishers Weekly
★ 08/29/2016 In this compelling companion to Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky, inspired by Chinese folklore, shy Pinmei, granddaughter of the revered Storyteller, sets out to rescue her grandmother from the evil emperor who has seized her. In the midst of the seemingly endless winter that has fallen over the kingdom, Pinmei and her good friend Yishan begin a dangerous journey in search of the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night to give the emperor in exchange for her grandmother. Lin’s fans will not be disappointed: she again delivers a rich interweaving of ancient tales with fast-paced adventure, fantasy, and slowly unfolding mysteries told through captivating language with beguiling similes (“uncooked rice began to fall… like beads from a broken necklace”). Like the Sea King who turns into a dragon when needed, Pinmei remembers her grandmother’s words that “when it is time for you to do something, you will do it,” and transforms into a storyteller in her own right. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Oct.)
School Library Journal
★ 08/01/2016 Gr 3–6—The Tiger Emperor is conscripting all the men of the mountain villages to build the Vast Wall surrounding the kingdom. But when they reach Pinmei’s village, they also take her grandmother, the Storyteller. In order to save her, Pinmei and her friend Yishan embark on a voyage to find the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night—the only thing the Emperor will trade for a prisoner’s freedom. From the top of Never-Ending Mountain to the City of Bright Moonlight to the bottom of the sea and back, their journey brings readers to familiar characters and settings as well as new ones. Combining the epic quest of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and the tight, cyclical plotting of Starry River of the Sky, this is the strongest addition yet, binding the previous volumes together even more closely. As in the earlier companion novels, stories inspired by Chinese folktales are frequently interspersed, giving astute readers critical background information and clues and letting them see the future of their favorite characters, as many stories gain additional chapters. The framing narrative is bleaker and darker, and greater emphasis is placed on the importance and role of stories and storytellers. Lin’s vibrant chapter decorations and full-color, full-page paintings add to the work’s beauty. VERDICT A stunning addition to a deservedly beloved set of novels; recommended for all middle grade collections. —Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2016-07-20 When her grandmother’s kidnapped, a shy girl living in ancient China embarks on a magical journey to find her.Pinmei lives with her grandmother, Amah, a revered storyteller, and Yishan, a boy with a secret, on Never-Ending Mountain. When soldiers of the cruel Tiger Emperor abduct Amah and burn her hut, Pinmei hides in a huge vat. Learning the emperor wants a Luminous Stone, Pinmei and Yishan set out to find it to barter for Amah’s release. As their quest unfolds, Pinmei tells Amah’s stories, which alternate structurally with the main story. Elements and characters from these folk tales feature in Pinmei’s own quest as she encounters such evocatively named figures as Nuwa’s Tear, the Paper of Answers, the Starry River, the Ginseng Boy, the Red Stone, the Iron Rod, the Green Tiger, the Black Tortoise, and the Sea King. While many things are not what they seem, everything amazingly connects in the surprising finale, when Pinmei finds her voice. The meticulous craft delivers what Lin’s fans have come to expect. Final illustrations were unavailable for review. This beautifully told companion to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) and Starry River of the Sky (2012) offers lyrical storytelling, bringing “us to places we have never dreamed of.” (author’s note, book list) (Fantasy. 8-12)
Reading level: 8 – 12 years, grades 3 – 7
Pages: 384 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
ISBN: 031612592X
Behind the Story
Activities:
When the Sea Turned to Silver
How Long is Longevity?
In the book, a magistrate steals a a bite from the peach of longevity. Folktales do not usually lead to math but if you explore the years in this story, you may solve some mysteries with this Math Exercise Fit for an Emperor!
Nuwa's Stones
The five-colored stones that the goddess Nuwa put in the sky now sometimes appear as a rainbow. You can cast your own reflection of Nuwa's gift with this Reflect and Refract a Rainbow activity!
Paper of Answers
The Paper of Answers only shows words when it is exposed to the light of the full moon. While we cannot offer you a paper that gives answers, we can show you how to create invisible writing that only shows in the presence of heat and light. With this activity, you can write your own invisible answers!
Walking Across the Heavenly Lake
In the kingdom of the Sea King, Pinmei and Yishan see the moon at the bottom of the Heavenly Lake. The Sea King tells them that their worlds connect. How can the sea and sky share a moon? Use this activity to make the worlds connect!
Giving Immortality
With Amah's stories, Pinmei was able to save everyone. Is there someone in your life that can give you stories, like Amah gave Pinmei? This activity will help guide you to collect and share stories...and maybe achieve immortality!
Put on your own Readers Theater!
If you go to any of Grace's events for this book, you'll see her "act" out this readers theater with volunteers in the audience. But you don't have to be Grace to put on this show. You can have the and you can put the show on yourself! A fun way to introduce and share the books with kids! Break a leg!