A story set during the Ming Dynasty (1500s AD) in China follows twins Mei and Yun, 12, on a quest to save their grandfather after he’s arrested for cursing the emperor’s second son. The duo—adventurous and intuitive Mei, cautious and scholarly Yun—journey first to the cursed City of Ashes, where its inhabitants are trapped in a ghostlike state, and then to the Imperial City, where they must sneak into the enchanted library and search old records for proof that a man accused of treason years before was innocent. It is his wife, Lotus, who cursed the City of Ashes, and it is that curse that has now seeped beyond the city’s boundaries, causing all the trouble. The twins’ encounters with Princess Zilla, a daughter of the emperor, and Fu-Fu, 9, a lonely and angry relative of the imperial family, factor into their planning, but most significant is their realization that the wisps of color they’ve always been able to see around people are dreams, the essence of which can be collected. A contemporary omniscient narrator (in the form of Jade Rabbit) recounts this adventure-filled tale with its notable characterizations. (Ages 8-11)

Twin siblings sneak into the emperor’s palace to break a curse in this Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy adventure set in the Ming Dynasty.

"[A] magical adventure, which shoots for the moon—and succeeds."—Entertainment Weekly

Twins Mei and Yun can’t wait for the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, even though strange things keep happening in their village. A gloomy atmosphere has settled over the land and their grandpa’s usually delicious mooncakes instead taste horrible and bitter, insulting the prince who tastes them.

Determined to clear grandpa’s name, Mei and Yun journey through the City of Ashes, visit the mysterious Jade Rabbit, and encounter a powerful poet, who makes them a pact: infiltrate the royal palace to expose a past royal injustice, and the poet will remove the curse that has ensnared their grandfather and village.

Seamlessly weaving together folklore, palace intrigue, and historical detail, G. Z. Schmidt delivers an unforgettable adventure set in the Ming Dynasty about sibling bonds and the importance of the past. The beautifully illustrated cover by artist Feifei Ruan shows the twins riding a floating cloud, whose softly curved edges shine with printed gloss. Back matter includes further information on Chinese mythology, philosophy, and more. An enchanting experience, The Dreamweavers is perfect for young fantasy readers.

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choice