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Product Reviews:
Kira-Kira |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: A book that will appeal to a specific set of teenagers
Comments: Kira-Kira is the story of the Japanese-American Takeshima family, told from the point of view of Katie, the youngest daughter. We learn in the opening passage of the story that Kira-Kira means "glittering" in Japanese, and that it was Katie's 1st word, taught to her by her older sister Lynn. It's obvious from the beginning that Katie adores Lynn.
Born in Iowa to Japanese immigrants, Katie and Lynn have a nice childhood, however ething changes when the family's asian food store goes out of business, and they move to Georgia to become factory workers in a poultry processing plant. It's here that Katie realizes for the 1st time that she is different. Shunned by the white Georgians, the Japanese community in Georgia is tight knit, however life is difficult. Katie and Lynn's parents work long hours under harsh conditions. Katie and Lynn rarely see their father, and when they do, he's exhausted. Their mother is forced to wear "pads" because bathroom breaks are not allowed in the factory. When their baby brother, Sammy, is born, the girls and a next door neighbor pretty much raise him. Just when things can not get worse, Lynn becomes ill, and the family's bonds are tested.
This heart wrenching story is1that I will soon not forget. Cynthia Kadohata expertly gets into the mind of a girl Katie's age who has to deal with some adult situations however does not quite understand them. An example of this is when Lynn is ill, and despite appearing strong and brave in front of Lynn, Katie needs a moment alone and breaks down:
"I cried and cried. For a while as I cried I hated my parents, as if it were their fault Lynn was sick. Then I cried because I loved my parents so much. Then I did not feel like crying anymore. I just felt barren, my eyes felt dry. They sky was still gray. Ething was gray, the sky and the store and even my hand when I held it out in front of myself. I wondered in anyone else in history had ever been as sad as I was at that moment" (p. 199).
We also see racism, prejudice, and the unfair treatment of the factory workers through Katie's eyes. While some have criticized this book and being slow and uninteresting for young adults, it would have been right up my alley when I was younger. Certainly, it's not for e kid and may appeal more to girls than boys, however it's a story that I think will impact many. It was completely deserving of its 2005 Newbery Medal win.
Originally posted at The Well-Read Child. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: highly endorseed
Comments: compelling coming of age story about a young Japanese American girl during the 1950's. There is a little bit of ething: Japanese culture, American History, Racism, Death. The writer's style is eloquently simple however satisfying. This is not a story just for kids, either. (I am 39 and I loved it) |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Sad, Powerful Book
Comments: Kira-Kira is a book about a family who seems to struggle through life. This book teaches you that life can be sad. Kira-Kira taught me how life can be happy and sad in all different ways. Katie and Lynn are young (well, Kate's young) sisters who live in Iowa with their parents and their baby brother named Sammy. They do not have that much money. Their parents work in a factory and all the kids have to make sacrifices. Katie and Sammy have to take care of Lynn throughout the book. Lynn and Katie were best friends as sisters however sometimes Lynn got sad because her sickness did not allow her to play with all her friends.
This book is long and had sad stuff in it. I still think it's a great story however beware it's a sad book.
by Joelle
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Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Love it Like Crazy
Comments: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and endorseed it to all my friends - they, too, loved it. The voice is awesome, the plot is serious enough to keep a reader concerned, and I also learned some things about the Japanese-American experience. Entertaining, interesting, and educational - not much more to ask for!! |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Bittersweet
Comments: This is a wonderful story about relationships, prejudice , and loving the person inside yourself. An enchanting story indeed. |
