Lina and the Shadow Moon: A Lantern Light Adventures Story

By Amelia Wren

A glowing lantern. A hidden question. A girl who learns that curiosity can light the way to understanding.

Eight-year-old Lina Chen knows three eclipse words: moon, shadow, and orbit. But at her San Francisco library's Eclipse Night, she is afraid to ask the question pressing in her pocket: where does the shadow really come from?

Then an old brass lantern begins to glow, and Lina is swept far from the library into rainy Jiangning, China. There she meets Wang Zhenyi, a real eighteenth-century astronomer, writer, and thinker who studied the sky with courage and care.

As Lina watches Wang Zhenyi build a clear eclipse model with a lamp, a table, and a mirror, she begins to understand more than the science of shadows. She learns that a question is not something to hide. It is a doorway-one that can lead to careful thinking, shared discovery, and the confidence to speak up.

Lina and the Shadow Moon is a warm, illustrated historical fiction chapter book for curious young readers who love astronomy, time travel, girls in science, and stories about real women from history.

Perfect for independent readers ages 7-10, classroom read-alouds, homeschool history and science studies, library collections, and families looking for thoughtful early chapter books with heart.

Inside this book, readers will find: A relatable girl protagonist with a child-sized worry to overcomeA magical time-travel adventure rooted in real historyAn introduction to Wang Zhenyi and eclipse scienceShort, accessible chapters for growing readersBlack-and-white interior illustrationsBack matter that separates fact, inference, and fictionThemes of curiosity, courage, careful observation, clear explanation, and asking good questions

Part of the Lantern Light Adventures series, this book blends magical adventure with historically grounded storytelling to help children feel curious, capable, and connected to the real people who came before them.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H9B5JCBR
• ISBN13: 9798187745289
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 100 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"