Mei Lee, a brave, passionate young girl, lives in China, and it is her favorite time of year-Chinese New Year. Lots of family members come to visit, and Mei Lee and her mother make tasty pork and cabbage dumplings and decorate the house all in red.

But then suddenly all the celebrations stop. Mei Lee's family learns that the horrible beast called Nian has returned to steal the joy and take her people captive forever. Mei Lee then decides to set out on a quest to find out what can defeat Nian and save her people. Mei Lee must journey to the great Taihe mountain to find Ms. Yu, an older woman who once told Mei Lee that there was a place where there is no more sorrow, pain, or death-full of everlasting joy and eternal life. Mei Lee soon discovers that Ms. Yu has the answer that will defeat Nian and save the people of China-and that it will also save the entire world.

In this children's story, a courageous girl in China embarks on a quest to save her family from an evil beast and brings the joy of Jesus to her people.