“Kira-Kira,” by Cynthia Kadohata

“Kira-Kira,” by Cynthia Kadohata is a Newberry Award winning novel about the relationship between two young Japanese girls living in the late 1950's.

Book Cover Art for Kira-Kira by Cynthia KadohataWhen Katie Takeshima was a baby her older sister Lynn taught her to say her first word: “kira-kira.” In Japanese kira-kira means glittering. As Katie grows up Lynn helps her to see the kira-kira around her, from the beauty of the sky and sea to the depths in people's eyes. In addition, Katie looks up to Lynn because her older sister is “a genius” in her eyes, able to do anything, even beat her uncle at chess.

When the family business collaspes, though, Katie's family must move from Iowa to Georgia, in the heart of the South. In their new town Katie's parents have to work hard just to make ends meet, and their new home is rather run down. When Lynn becomes ill with lymphoma the mounting medical bills and added strain cause all Katie's dreams to fall apart. Now it is Katie's turn to help Lynn and the rest of her family to see kira-kira in the future.

“Kira-Kira” is beautifully written, with one of the saddest endings out of all the books that I have ever read. Nevertheless, I must say that Cynthia Kadohata has done a stunning job in writing “Kira-Kira.” The characters Lynn and Katie are wonderfully presented, and their personal interactions and emotions add extra feeling to the already evocative storyline.

“Kira-Kira” is a must read book for every person, young or old.

Inkweaver Book Rating:

Plot

Characters

Presentation

★★★★★Overall



Your Rating:
Inkweaver Review 2009-04-15T10:08:00-05:00

3 replies so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

ssss

Anonymous said...

THE GIRL IN THE BLUE LOOKS LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!! LIKE ACTUALLY

Unknown said...

I cried at the end. I reccomend it to you and everyone you know. I read it like 10 times and so should you. It's about a Japanese girl and her family living in the U.S. in that descrimination era. This site always helps me in my different custom essays.