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kira-kira (kee ra kee ra): glittering; shining Glittering. That's how Katie Takeshima's sister, Lynn, 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 for the 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 on the street to stare. And it's Lynn who, with her special 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.
Lexile Measure: 740L (What's this?)
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (December 26, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689856407
ISBN-13: 978-0689856402
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (267 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #16,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #41 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Asian American #336 in Books > Children's Books > Classics #1441 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction
Age Range: 10 - 14 years
Grade Level: 5 - 9
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 , for letting a teen vent!R
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.
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.
"Kira-Kira" is not like most other books; instead of a linear narrative with a clear plot, conflict, climax, and resoloution, this story reads in a more sprawling, nonlinear way. I had heard that it felt like a memoir, and this is definitely true; the first-person narrative only adds to the feeling. Yet still, as main character Katie recounts her life as a young Japanese American growing up in Georgia in the early '60s, the events along the way are at times very funny, often sad, and always captivating. The main theme is Katie's relationship with her sister Lynn, as the two girls alternately come together and drift apart, but "Kira-Kira" also touches on poverty, discrimination, and coming of age. It's a wonderful book, whether you're looking for a meaty read for younger kids or a breezy one for teens.
I had read this book in 5th grade (currently in 6th) and enjoyed every bit of it. Everyone thinks this book is for teens but to me it was fine. It's true the book does get a bit depressing, still it goes at a good pace and its not boring at all. Newberys never lie, i reccomend this book for 9 up though
Kira-Kira (kee'ra kee'ra): means glittering; shining in Japanese.Kira-Kira is a spectacular book thanks to the author, Cynthia Kadohata.Glittering. That's how Lynn Takeshima, Katie Takeshima's older sister, always makes everything seem. The sky and how deep it is but see-through at the same time. Even peoples eyes and how they sparkle in their beautiful color. The stars and how they glisten and shine among the moon. All kira-kira. So basically, Lynn is a very calm, magical, and mellow person. Katie, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She is a very out-going and risk-taking kind of girl, but when she gets out of hand, Lynn is always there to get her off the curb, and back on the road.The Takeshima family went through hard times. After Lynn had died of a severe illness, the whole family had fallen apart. Katie was twelve when Lynn had died and she was very depressed for a long time. So it was up to Katie to get over her depression and remind her family and herself, that there is always something glittering- kira-kira -in the future.All of this drama and adventure that had happened to the Takeshima family had taken place during the 1950s in the Deep South of Georgia.Love and hope is the theme of this book. It taught you that when you have a time in your life of frustration or difficulties, you just get a good grip and hang on tight. Just never let go. That's exactly why I like, no, love this book. They just never gave up on hope.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt really bad for Katie when she had to move from her home that she grew up in and how her parents were losing all of their money. Then she became the third wheel whenever her sister Lynn brought her friend Amber along.I would love to say more, but I don't want to give anything away. Overall this was a wonderful book and I enjoyed a lot.
Cynthia Kadohata did a wonderful job writing Kira-Kira that is why I gave it 5 stars!This is one of my favorite books because of how descriptive the author gave details in the book. I had not heard of Cynthia Kadohtata. After reading this book, I will definitely look for other books she has written. When I started reading Kira-Kira, I just could not put it down because it was so exciting. It deserved a Newbery Medal and received nothing less. Kira-Kira in Japanese means "glittery". This is the first word that Katie learned from Lynn. The girls had a special bond.My favorite part was when Lynn died even though it was the part that made me cry. This book is sad but keeps you on your toes! It had fantastic details in the part when Sam caught his leg in the trap. Sam is their younger brother that their mother has in the middle of the book. The girls were the babysitters of him most of the time. In the book, Katie and Lynn have many adventures but not the normal kind of adventures. Lynn is Katie's older sister. They do everything together and go everywhere together. If you have not read this book, I seriously recommend you reading it. It is a book I would read over and over.If you like this type of book, I would suggest reading Hatchet by Gary Paulson and The Giver by Louis Lowery. My name is Emily and I enjoy reading books about real people adventures. If you enjoy this type of book, my suggestions will be very pleasurable to your reading taste.
Kira-Kira
