The Silken Thread

by Gabrielle Wang

Moonie lives in Melbourne and dreams of designing dresses for movie stars. Eight thousand kilometres away, on Chongming Island in China, peasant boy Little Dipper cares for the silkworms on his family’s farm and hopes to learn English.
On the day Moonie’s beloved Ma Mi goes away, Little Dipper appears in her house. Before they can speak, he is whisked back home. Aided by a magical silk cocoon, Little Dipper’s visits become a regular event and although neither knows how or why they are connected their bond grows each time.
Will the silken threads of friendship be enough to help Moonie bring Ma Mi home, or to save Little Dipper from the troublesome ghosts who stand between him and his dream of learning English?
From one of Australia’s most esteemed and award-winning children’s authors and Australian Children's Laureate for 2022–23 comes a magical story of kindness, courage and friendship’s power to make dreams come true.

A CBCA Notable book

Praise for The Silken Thread
‘A magical story of friendship full of wondrous detail about life in Australia and China during the Depression. Threaded with humour and wisdom, the voices of Little Dipper, Moonie and their families stay with you long after you put the book down.’ – Sally Rippin, 8th Australian Children's Laureate
‘The Silken Thread is a beautifully evocative sunshine burst of magical realism, illuminating the harsh and joyous realities of life in China and Australia during the Great Depression, while celebrating the hidden lives of Chinese Australians. Rich in detail, complex in theme yet delicately drawn, the novel celebrates the strange ties that bind us across cultures, time and language, highlighting the importance of learning, friendship, family and community. An enchanting pocket treasure to lose yourself in.’ – Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter
‘I was fascinated by this brew of real life, history, and the uncanny magic that connects one friend to another. Wise, touching and brimming with wonder!’ – Emily Gale, award-winning author of The Goodbye Year
‘A brave, beautiful and richly imagined story of ghosts, friendship, destiny and the magical threads that connect us.’ – Jane Godwin, award-winning author
‘The Silken Thread is a glorious novel, braided through with gentle humour, deep feeling and magic, yet never shying away from the realities of the lives of the plucky children. Moonie and Little Dipper will stay with readers long after the final page.’ – Alice Pung, award-winning author of Millie Mak

Genres: Historical Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Gabrielle Wang is an award winning children’s author born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage. Her great grandfather came to Victoria during the Gold Rush, settling in the town of Wahgunyah on the Murray River. In her twenties Gabrielle lived in China and Taiwan where she studied Chinese language, traditional painting and calligraphy. After working as a graphic designer she discovered a love of painting pictures with words. Since then she has written 16 books for children and young adults. Gabrielle’s stories are a blend of Chinese and Western culture with a touch of magic. She has twice won the Aurealis Award for Best Children’s fiction, and her books have been named Notables in the CBC Awards and highly commended in the Prime Minister's Awards. She is also published internationally in US, UK, China, Korea and South America.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Silken Thread' is a beautifully evocative sunshine burst of magical realism, illuminating the harsh and joyous realities of life in China and Australia during the Great Depression, while celebrating the hidden lives of Chinese Australians. Rich in detail, complex in theme yet delicately drawn, the novel celebrates the strange ties that bind us across cultures, time and language, highlighting the importance of learning, friendship, family and community. An enchanting pocket treasure to lose yourself in.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a story that connects two children from different worlds. Set in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The book shows how hope, friendship, and staying strong can help people through hard times.

[Brit McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful little book.