In 9th century China, a little girl sends a small jade pebble to travel with her father along the Silk Road. The pebble passes from his hand all the way to the Republic of Venice, the end of the Silk Road, where a boy cherishes it and sees the value of this gift from a girl at the end of the road.

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-This lovely story traces a pebble's journey on the Silk Road. Mei lives near Chang'an (Xi'an), China, in AD 850. As her father, a silk trader, sets off on his route, she is denied the opportunity to go along since she has to care for the silk worms. Instead, she gives him a jade pebble with the request to give it to a child at the end of the road. Mei's father takes the pebble to Turfan (Turpan), where he passes it to a Buddhist monk. The monk pairs a flute with the gift and takes it to Kashgar. Readers will see other items added to the pebble as it passes from traveler to traveler. Finally, the gifts are stolen by a pirate in Antioch, who takes them to his son in Torcello, Italy. Although many small treasures accompany it, the jade rock is the pirate's son's favorite. At the story's conclusion Mei does not know the details of the pebble's journey, but she is hopeful that one day she, too, will travel the Silk Road. The different settings and characters are woven together to create a wonderful tale. The colorful illustrations reflect the customs and culture of each stop on the trade route, and the simple text gives context clues for children unfamiliar with the setting and historical period. An endnote and detailed maps on the endpapers give extensive background information on the subject.-Erica Thorsen Payne, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Charlottesville, VAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“With illustrations that echo, at turns, the distinct traditions of Chinese, Islamic and European art, Ms. Christensen brings a sense of affable generosity to the dynamic interplay of cultures that formed the original information superhighway.” ―The Wall Street Journal

“Luminous artwork is the highlight of this child's introduction to the Silk Road.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Christensen's atmospheric paintings and prose provide lively snapshots of life on the Silk Road.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The colorful illustrations reflect the customs and culture of each stop on the trade route, and the simple text gives context clues for children unfamiliar with the setting and historical period.” ―School Library Journal