The Dreamweavers by G. Z. Schmidt

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Dreamweavers by G. Z. Schmidt Natalie Berglind Schmidt, G. Z. The Dreamweavers. Holiday House, 2021 [272p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780823444236 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780823450251 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 During the Ming Dynasty, twelve-year-old twins Mei and Yun live with their grandfather in a small Chinese village. When the prince hears word of Grandpa’s delicious mooncakes, he visits for the Mid-Autumn festival; alarmingly, the mooncakes’ “secret ingredient” has everyone choking, and Mei and Yun’s guardian is taken away to the imperial city to be tried. When the village is struck by an unseasonable snowstorm that kills its livestock and leaves its residents isolated, Mei and Yun set out to the City of Ashes, a place cursed by a woman named Lotus, whose lover was framed for treason by the Noble General. There they make a deal [End Page 31] with the woman to clear her lover’s name and reputation in exchange for the lifting of the curse, and the Jade Rabbit tells them they’re dreamweavers (the secret ingredient in the mooncakes is accidentally a nightmare) and transports them to the palace, where they pretend to be servants and plan to clear the name of their grandfather. 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. An author’s note explains cultural references and folkloric icons, such as the Jade Rabbit and Monkey King. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois