2026 Newbery Honor Book!

Includes bookmark, ticker, NYC Chinatown Mini Poster, Karina's Steamed Bun Recipe, and an adhesive wax seal! While supplies last.

Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. An instant classic from the beloved and bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.

In 731 Chang’An, China, Han Yu rises every day with the first beat of the city drums to sell steamed buns in a bustling market full of whispers about his ability to summon tigers.

In 1931 Chinatown, New York, Luli Lee spends her evenings gazing out at the city from the roof of her parents’ restaurant, dreaming of dim sum and Chinese art.

There is a comfortable rhythm to the small but content lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang’An and financial crisis threatens Luli’s family, each must venture out into the larger world—and into perilous adventure—to save what they love most. Filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, the epic journeys in Karina Yan Glaser’s absorbing and rewarding novel are a testament to the bravery required to face the unknown and the power of art to connect us through the ages.