Q&A: Karina Yan Glaser, Author of ‘The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli’
We chat with author Karina Yan Glaser about The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli, which sees 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.
Hi, Karina! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
My name is Karina Yan Glaser, and I write children’s books! My family consists of me and my husband, plus our two teenagers, two dogs, and three cats. We live in a cozy – translation: tiny! – apartment surrounded by dozens of houseplants in Harlem, New York City.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always loved to read and write. When I was younger, I spent most of my time at my school library as well as my local public libraries. My goal was to read every single book in the kid’s section, just like Francie Nolan attempted to do in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Later, when my own kids were born, I was so excited to read aloud to them. I also discovered so many fantastic new children’s books that had been published since I was younger, and it was thrilling to see so many more voices and perspectives in children’s literature. It was around that time I started writing my first book, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien
- The one that made you want to become an author: All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Your latest novel, The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
An epic adventure spanning centuries.
What can readers expect?
This is a historic fiction novel geared for middle grade readers ages 8-12. The story alternates between 731 Tang Dynasty, Ancient China, and 1931 Chinatown in New York City. The two protagonists are each on a quest to save their families, which leads Han Yu in ancient China to travel on the Silk Roads and Luli in Chinatown to venture outside her safe neighborhood in order to save her family’s restaurant and home.
Where did the inspiration for The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli come from?
The inspiration for The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli originated from a variety of places, including my love for history, art, and poetry. In particular, I wanted to explore the origins of ancient art and create a back story for an artifact you might see in a museum.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing both of the main characters, but a particular joy was creating Luli and her fellow classmates as well as exploring their dynamics in the group scenes. It was so fun to write about her friends and all of their quirks.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
This book was filled with challenges. The research was incredibly difficult, especially given that I was writing two very different time periods. It helped to use the table feature on Microsoft Word to keep track of the two stories and their connection points.
What’s next for you?
More middle grade! I love writing for this age group, and I hope I can keep doing that for the rest of my life.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I’ve read so many amazing books this year. Some of my favorites have included Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, collected and edited by Leonard S. Marcus.
Will you be picking up The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli? Tell us in the comments below!
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