A ghostly City of Ashes, a disappearing moon, and a sudden snowstorm are just some of the supernatural occurrences that kick off this mythology-inspired adventure novel set in China during the Ming Dynasty. Our protagonists are Mei and Yun Wu, twelve-year-old orphaned twins scrambling to rescue their grandpa after a disastrous encounter with the emperor's son during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Wu twins' tale overlaps with the story of Lotus, a beautiful, haunted poet who cursed the region seventy years earlier when her family was torn apart by a scorned admirer. Along with a bratty noble boy and an inventive princess, the Jade Rabbit (a celestial being with magical powers) helps the peasant siblings on their quest in the Imperial City. Schmidt's story contains many familiar folktale plot points and tropes -- magical travel, cases of mistaken identity, riddles. Passages about the book's titular "dream weaving" are whimsically described. The prose does contain a few anachronisms (some dialogue sounds more like modern-day speech, and today's Western units of time and speed are used), but they won't be distracting to most readers. An entertaining tale for those who enjoyed Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (rev. 9/09) and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland but might not be quite ready for the scary parts of the Harry Potter and Narnia books. Michelle Lee November/December 2021 p.115(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fraternal twins embark on a magical adventure to rescue their grandfather and break a decadeslong curse. After their parents' mysterious disappearance in the City of Ashes, 12-year-olds Mei and Yun have been outcasts in their village. Their orphan status and reputation for seeing vaporous auras have left them with few friends. The sister and brother have been raised by their grandfather, who is known for his delicious cooking. Word of his talent has reached the Imperial City, and the Emperor's son will be visiting to taste their grandfather's famous mooncakes. But a sour mood has overtaken the village, and the mooncakes taste disgusting and rotten. The twins' grandfather is taken away to the palace to await trial for supposedly using harmful magic on the prince. Determined to rescue him, Mei and Yun undertake a dangerous journey that reveals hidden truths about their family's roots and the cursed City of Ashes. Set in ancient China during the Ming dynasty, this fantasy incorporates elements of Chinese folklore, with the Jade Rabbit acting as a spiritual guide for the twins, references to the Monkey King, and the presence of a mirrorlike dream world. The twins' sibling bond never wavers throughout the challenges they face; like yin and yang, their individual personalities and strengths balance each other and highlight the story's theme of achieving peace by acknowledging both the light and the dark and creating your own destiny. An enchanting tale. (author's note, cultural notes) (Historical fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

It is time for the mid-autumn festival, a favorite time of year for 12-year-old twins Mei and Yun, because it is when their grandfather makes his famous mooncakes. This year they will have a special visitor, and their grandfather spends days preparing for their arrival. But when the day finally arrives, disaster ensues: their grandfather is arrested and set to suffer a dreadful fate while their small village is hit by a mysterious and catastrophic storm, destroying their crops and livestock. Now it is up to Mei and Yun to save their grandfather. Through their quest they will learn about old curses, encounter the legendary Jade Rabbit, and uncover the secrets of their family lineage. 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. The Dreamweavers is a story about love, family, and the perseverance of twin siblings when faced with the impossible.

In the 1500s, 12-year-old fraternal twins Mei and Yun Wu, who have lived with their grandfather since their parents disappeared six years ago, eagerly anticipate the Mid-Autumn Festival, especially since the son of China's emperor will visit the village to sample Grandpa Wu's famed secret-ingredient mooncakes. But when strange weather sours the mood--and Grandpa's mooncakes--the prince is insulted, and Grandpa is taken away by royal officials. Opposite but balanced, the twins combine their strengths to devise a rescue plan, hoping to learn the truth behind their scholar parents' mysterious disappearance along the way. Their trek leads them to the cursed City of Ashes, where an encounter with the mythical Jade Rabbit reveals a tantalizing inherited gift. Armed with this knowledge, and striking a deal with a vengeful riddle-speaking poet, the twins sneak into the Imperial Palace for answers. In homage to her Chinese roots, Schmidt adroitly interweaves fantastical mythology with the historical context of the Ming Dynasty. Though some plot points skew predictable, the twins' unbreakable bond, paired with rich folkloric details, make for a heartening read. Back matter features an author's note detailing story influences. Ages 8--12. Agent: Adria Goetz, Martin Literary Management. (Sept.)