Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
kira-kira (kee’ra kee’ra): glittering; shining
I knew I had to read Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata after seeing it recently floating around in the blogosphere. Plus it won the 2005 Newbery Medal and one of my “life reading goals” is to read all the Newbery’s. Plus, on top of that I’ve always enjoyed any stories with an Asian flair. Plus, on top of the top, I loved the book cover. Absolutely intriguing.
My uncle was exactly one inch taller than my father. But his stomach was soft. We knew this because we hit him in it once the year before, and he yelped in pain and threatened to spank us. We got sent to bed without supper because my parents said hitting someone was the worst thing you could do. Stealing was second, and lying was third.
Before I was twelve, I would have committed all three of those crimes.
Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? And yes, I’m aware of the fact that I just used the word intriguing to describe the book cover. So, it is best to conclude that Kira-Kira is an intriguing book. And because I can’t summarize it better than the book jacket:
Glittering. That’s how Katie Takeshima’s sister, Lynne, makes everything seem. The sky is kira-kira because its color is deep but see-through at the same time. The sea is kira-kira frot he same reason. And so are people’s eyes. When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it’s Lynn who explains to her why people stop them on the street to stare. And it’s Lynn who, with her speial way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow. But when Lynn becomes desperately ill and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering — kira-kira — in the future.
This book covers it all. From the friendship and love between two sisters to family dynamics, struggling to make ends meet, racism, prejudice, discrimination, harsh working conditions in the factories, the American dream, illness, death, grief, honesty, and pushing forward with life. I knew from the first few pages that this was going to be a sad story. I was drawn into this family’s story. I wanted to ease their pain and suffering. I wanted everything to turn out all right. I felt that Lynne’s thoughts and feelings were so honest and true. Her character touched me.
I would highly recommend this book to readers of all ages and felt it deserving of the Newbery. I seriously don’t know how Cynthia could have packed one more “theme” into this book, it certainly gave me a lot to think about and learn from. I enjoyed it and have Cynthia Kadohata’s book Weedflower on the shelf for one of my next reads. I am looking forward to it.
Visit Cynthia Kadohata’s website here.
Other great blogger reviews of this book include Shelf Elf, The Well Read Child, and A Patchwork of Books. Check them out.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: female author, Fiction, I-L Author, I-L Title, Japanese-American, Newbery
Enjoy this post? Then subscribe to receive updates in your favorite reader or by email.
Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell's, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books - any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it's much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.
I’ve been noticing reviews of this book on other blogs, too. I think I must add it to my TBR. Nice review!
on March 11th, 2008 at 4:03 pmYour description makes me want to read it, and soon. I’m also trying to read all the Newberry books (and reread the ones I read when I was little).
on March 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pmSounds…intriguing!
I haven’t heard of this one, but I’ll have to check it out.
on March 11th, 2008 at 6:37 pmThanks all! Yes, intriguing!
on March 11th, 2008 at 8:20 pmI went through many of the same emotions you did as I was reading this book. It’s definitely one of the best young adult books I’ve read in a while.
on March 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pmThis book sounds really good… I’m going to add it to my bookmooch wish list right away
on March 12th, 2008 at 8:37 pmThe Well Read Child – Thanks for your review to begin with!
Heather – Oh no! Now I’m nervous. I hope you like it!
on March 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pmMy girls and I read this book a few years ago and loved it! Because we live in the deep south, a lot of it was funny for that reason.
Great review!
on March 15th, 2008 at 8:31 amLaura – I thought it was funny that this little Japanese girl developed a southern accent in such a short time. Thanks for coming over!
on March 15th, 2008 at 9:35 amthis is a great book!!! its so sad and happy at the same time!!i loved it!
on April 5th, 2008 at 1:30 amThanks for the review. I checked out the book and really enjoyed it.
on April 19th, 2008 at 1:37 amanother book that i placed on my tbr… i’m going to check out more of your reviews later since it appears we have similar taste in books.
on April 24th, 2008 at 7:07 amkira-kira is a very sad book. Katie went through alot of changes. She needed alot of help.
on May 20th, 2008 at 1:02 pmi love kira- kira!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i’m going to check out more of your reviews later since it appears we have similar taste in books. I’ve been noticing reviews of this book on other blogs, too. I think I must add it to my TBR. Nice review!I would highly recommend this book to readers of all ages and felt it deserving of the Newbery. This book covers it all
on May 20th, 2008 at 1:05 pmgarnet_mommy on cafemom CALL ME!
on May 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pmi love this book
on May 27th, 2008 at 1:27 amTHIS WAS THE WORST BOOK EVER OH MY GOSH!!! I READ IT THIS SUMMER AND I ALMOST DIED IT WASA PURE TORTURE I HATED IT SOOOO MUCH SO FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE THINKING OF READING IT……DONT! ITS A WATE OF TIME AND MONEY WORST BOOK EVER!
on September 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pmLucyy – Hi! I certainly welcome thoughts that disagree with my own but you may want to refrain from shouting (when you write in all caps). It is considered extremely rude. Just a thought for you. Many thanks!
on September 1st, 2008 at 8:52 pmom! lucy shut up your just bieng hard headed idoit the books awsome
on October 3rd, 2008 at 4:32 pmAshlynn G. – Oh my . . . I’m so glad that you enjoyed the book! But let’s all be nice.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm[...] Natasha at Maw Books [...]
on December 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pmi read this book but it wasnt 1 of the best. i have 2 do a book report on it though so i’m looking stuff up. ugh i’m bored of school!!!!!!
on February 19th, 2009 at 4:10 pmthis book is awsome u should read it its great.
on June 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 amits defedently in my top 10
i think that all of u people r great in ur own way bc we r allo little rainbows in the clouds…thnk u everone…good night to everyone……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
on January 20th, 2010 at 3:33 pm