Kira-Kira (Paperback)

by Cynthia Kadohata (Author) "MY SISTER, LYNN, taught me my first word: kira-kira..." (more)
Key Phrases: Uncle Katsuhisa, Hank Garvin, Joe John Abondondalarama (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In Cynthia Kadohata's lively, lovely, funny and sad novel -- winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal -- the Japanese-American Takeshima family moves from Iowa to Georgia in the 1950s when Katie, the narrator, is just in kindergarten. Though her parents endure grueling conditions and impossible hours in the non-unionized poultry plant and hatchery where they work, they somehow manage to create a loving, stable home for their three children: Lynn, Katie, and Sammy. Katie's trust in, and admiration for, her older sister Lynn never falters, even when her sisterly advice doesn't seem to make sense. Lynn teaches her about everything from how the sky, the ocean, and people's eyes are special to the injustice of racial prejudice. The two girls dream of buying a house for the family someday and even save $100 in candy money: "Our other favorite book was Silas Marner. We were quite capitalistic and liked the idea of Silas keeping all that gold underneath the floorboards." When Lynn develops lymphoma, it's heartbreaking, but through the course of her worsening illness, Katie does her best to remember Lynn's "kira-kira" (glittery, shining) outlook on life. Small moments shine the brightest in this poignant story; told beautifully and lyrically in Katie's fresh, honest voice. (Ages 11 to 14) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–Katie Takeshima knows her sister Lynn taught her to say Kira-Kira (S & S, 2004), the Japanese word for glittering or shining. The word is a sharp contrast to the hardships Katie's parents face working in the poultry industry in 1950's Georgia and coping with Lynn's terminal illness. What does shine in Cynthia Kadohata's Newbery-winning novel are the loving relationships between parents, sisters, and younger brother Sam, and the support the Takeshimas find in their small Japanese-American community. Katie recalls difficult times such as the family's move from Iowa and the traumatic day when Sam got caught in an animal trap. She also remembers with great affection Lynn's exceptional abilities and the kooky kindness of her paternal uncle.  Katie finds many of these memories recorded in Lynn's diary, and she also recognizes that one of Lynn's legacies is her own ability to see the kira-kira all around her.  Elaina Erika Davis narrates with a careful cadence that reflects the ethnic sensibilities of the novel, and her only shortcomings are occasional, unconvincing passages of Japanese-accented dialogue. This novel has the immediacy of an autobiographical account of love and loss and presents insightful glimpses of questionable labor practices and post-World War II discrimination against Japanese-Americans.  Most important, it will be meaningful for individual listeners, useful for classroom discussions, and an asset in school and public library collections.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689856407
• ISBN-13: 978-0689856402
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,284 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American
  #19 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Death & Dying > Fiction
  #26 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Asian American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ummm...I liked it., March 22, 2005

By	R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kira-Kira (Newbery Medal Book) (Hardcover)

I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and say that Cynthia Kadohata's Newbery winner "Kira-Kira" is a book that you either love or a book that you loathe to the fullest. Well, I'm a thirteen-year old and I enjoyed it to the fullest. And what really bugs me is that it is ADULT reviewers who are saying this book is too depressing for children. ADULT! Have you people ever heard of Bridge to Terabithia. It was just as depressing, if not more (though, brilliant I might add). I'm not even gonna mention last year's Olive's Ocean.

I'm a reader and fan of E. Bird's reviews, but she's got this one all wrong (well, except for maybe the bear trap part). Thank you Amazon, for letting a teen vent!

R

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Funny, and Sad, August 24, 2004

By	Debra Garfinkle "author of books for teens an... (Orange County, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Kira-Kira (Newbery Medal Book) (Hardcover)

I read this in one day. I couldn't put it down. The writing is beautiful, the characters are likeable, and the sense of time and place are authentic. This is a wonderful story of a Japanese-American family and its struggle with prejudice, poverty, and disease. The book has humor and sadness, but ultimately it left me feeling joyous. I loved it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story warms hearts , January 24, 2005

By	S. Maire "Stephen" (Pakkret, Nonthaburi Thailand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Kira-Kira (Newbery Medal Book) (Hardcover)

After reading Kira-Kira,I had found my new favourite author. Kadohata had touched both myself and a good friend of mine. My friend was in tears at the end of the book. I could understand why she wept for I too felt touched by Kadohata's book. Kadohata filled every chapter with such strong emotions and used such colourful vocabulary. Kadohata is surely one of the most amazing authors of all time.