In When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin, Pinmei and her friend Yishan embark on a quest to rescue her storytelling grandmother, Amah, from the Tiger Emperor, navigating a world of Chinese folklore, enchanted objects, and magical beings. As they seek the Luminous Stone that Lights the Night, they uncover powerful secrets, confront the emperor, and Pinmei grows into a confident storyteller.

Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver enchants readers with its lyrical prose and rich, mythical storytelling. The book’s illustrations are highly praised for their beauty. Some readers found the pacing slow at times, but the intricate plot and cultural depth generally outweighed this for most. Lin's weaving of Chinese folklore is both educational and captivating.

A reader who enjoys When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin is likely a fan of richly woven folklore and fantasy. Ideal for middle-grade readers who appreciated the lush storytelling of The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill or the mythic adventures in Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi.

Fantastical / Mysterious / Adventurous / Emotional / Contemplative

Grace Lin

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore When the Sea Turned to Silver and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

When the Sea Turned to Silver Summary

Background

When the Sea Turned to Silver Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-13

When the Sea Turned to Silver Chapters 1-13 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-25

When the Sea Turned to Silver Chapters 14-25 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 26-41

When the Sea Turned to Silver Chapters 26-41 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 42- 59

When the Sea Turned to Silver Chapters 42- 59 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 60-76

When the Sea Turned to Silver Chapters 60-76 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

When the Sea Turned to Silver Character Analysis

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Themes

When the Sea Turned to Silver Themes

Symbols & Motifs

When the Sea Turned to Silver Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

When the Sea Turned to Silver Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

When the Sea Turned to Silver Essay Topics

When the Sea Turned to Silver

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read When the Sea Turned to Silver?

Reading Age

Book Details