1. Bibliography
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2004. KIRA-KIRA. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439799414
2. Plot Summary
In 1950, a Japanese-American family named Takeshima moves from Iowa to Georgia so the family can find work. At this time Katie, the narrator is in kindergarten, and relies on Lynn, the older sister, to teach her about life. While her parents are working many hours to survive, Katie learns special ways of viewing the world including the term "kira-kira" which means glittering, and this word will carry with her through life. As the family begins to adjust to the new situation, Lynn becomes deathly ill, and the family will struggle to find a way to survive. Using Lynn’s views on life, Katie and her family will have to look for ways to help them find the kira-kira during these hard times.
3. Critical Analysis
In this 2005 Newbery award winning novel, Kadohata’s KIRA-KIRA will have readers laughing and crying throughout. In the 1950's, this loving family of five moves from Iowa to Georgia in in desperate need of work. The children will have to learn how to adjust and deal with the grueling conditions, including their parents working very long hours to survive. Within pages of the book, reader's of all ages will truly care for this family, and continue to read in hopes of a happy ending. Katie, the narrator, will learn about life through the help of her older sister Lynn. Which includes Lynn teaching her to see things as "kira-kira," meaning glittering, "like the ocean." Lynn soon becomes ill with lymphoma, and the family must come together and push through the hard times to survive. Katie shares unforgettable memories of the good and the bad, including the day her brother, Sam, got his foot caught in an animal trap which will have reader's reaching out. Between events in all of their lives, like Katie and Sam staying in the car all day for her mother and father to work, young adults will have a passionate understanding of what this family went through as team, and have a true understanding of happiness and suffering.
4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Medal
Bookpage: “Kadohata has written a quiet, powerful story that lingers long after the last page is turned.”
Publishers Weekly: *Starred Review* “Lynn's ability to teach Katie to appreciate the "kira-kira," or glittering, in everyday life makes this novel shine.”
5. Connections
*Similar Books
LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMISTER BOY. By Gary D. Schmidt. 0553494953
CRISS CROSS. By Lynne Rae Perkins. 0060092726
AL CAPOME DOES MY SHIRTS. By Gennifer Choldenko. 0399238611
THE TALE OF DEPEREAUX: BEING THE STORY OF A MOUSE, A PRINCESS, SOME SOUP, AND A SPOOL OF THREAD. By Kate Dicamillo. 0763625299
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2004. KIRA-KIRA. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439799414
2. Plot Summary
In 1950, a Japanese-American family named Takeshima moves from Iowa to Georgia so the family can find work. At this time Katie, the narrator is in kindergarten, and relies on Lynn, the older sister, to teach her about life. While her parents are working many hours to survive, Katie learns special ways of viewing the world including the term "kira-kira" which means glittering, and this word will carry with her through life. As the family begins to adjust to the new situation, Lynn becomes deathly ill, and the family will struggle to find a way to survive. Using Lynn’s views on life, Katie and her family will have to look for ways to help them find the kira-kira during these hard times.
3. Critical Analysis
In this 2005 Newbery award winning novel, Kadohata’s KIRA-KIRA will have readers laughing and crying throughout. In the 1950's, this loving family of five moves from Iowa to Georgia in in desperate need of work. The children will have to learn how to adjust and deal with the grueling conditions, including their parents working very long hours to survive. Within pages of the book, reader's of all ages will truly care for this family, and continue to read in hopes of a happy ending. Katie, the narrator, will learn about life through the help of her older sister Lynn. Which includes Lynn teaching her to see things as "kira-kira," meaning glittering, "like the ocean." Lynn soon becomes ill with lymphoma, and the family must come together and push through the hard times to survive. Katie shares unforgettable memories of the good and the bad, including the day her brother, Sam, got his foot caught in an animal trap which will have reader's reaching out. Between events in all of their lives, like Katie and Sam staying in the car all day for her mother and father to work, young adults will have a passionate understanding of what this family went through as team, and have a true understanding of happiness and suffering.
4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Medal
Bookpage: “Kadohata has written a quiet, powerful story that lingers long after the last page is turned.”
Publishers Weekly: *Starred Review* “Lynn's ability to teach Katie to appreciate the "kira-kira," or glittering, in everyday life makes this novel shine.”
5. Connections
*Similar Books
LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMISTER BOY. By Gary D. Schmidt. 0553494953
CRISS CROSS. By Lynne Rae Perkins. 0060092726
AL CAPOME DOES MY SHIRTS. By Gennifer Choldenko. 0399238611
THE TALE OF DEPEREAUX: BEING THE STORY OF A MOUSE, A PRINCESS, SOME SOUP, AND A SPOOL OF THREAD. By Kate Dicamillo. 0763625299
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