Award-winning author and illustrator @Grace Lin joins Reading in the Middle to discuss her newest middle-grade novel, The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon — a sweeping fantasy filled with Chinese folklore, stone lions, and a possibly-not-a-worm dragon.

In this episode, Grace reflects on her journey from aspiring ice skater to literary icon, shares behind-the-scenes stories about illustrating her work, and explains why she believes books can be both mirrors and windows. We also chat about her early books (The Year of the Dog, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Ling & Ting), her advocacy work, and her beloved podcast Book Friends Forever.

Pick up The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon wherever books are sold, and don’t forget to support your indie bookstores and libraries.

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