kira-kira

Kadohata, C. (2006). Kira-Kira. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Paperback | $6.29 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0689856402 | 272 pages | Juvenile | Ages 10 & up

This 2005 Newbery Medal Winner book is about a family that moved from Iowa to a Japanese community of 31 people in the Deep South of Georgia. Younger sister Katie narrates the story – prior to the move her biggest struggle was keeping track of her doll named “Bera-Bera.” The family had to move because Katie’s dad was to begin working at a chicken hatchery. Lynn and Katie are best friends. Lynn is Katie’s older sister; they are inseparable. They share everything including dreams of the future. Katie is always trying to keep up with Lynn who is a genius. Upon arrival in Georgia, things are different for the family. Their dad works a lot of hours and their mom has to work as well, overtime if possible. The family is saving to buy their own house, and even the girls help with that secretly. Soon Katie has a little brother to take care of and she begins school herself. Lynn, who is always looking out for her, warns her that some people might not be so nice to her. Katie is growing up and will learn things that she doesn’t know much about, such as racism and discrimination. On a trip to work with her mom she hears the phrase “trying to unionize” and her mother scolds her for asking about it. But then Lynn’s focus changes because Lynn gets sick and Katie has to care for her. Lynn’s health is better some days and worse others. The family gets their new house, but struggles to pay the bills for Lynn’s illness as well as the mortgage. Taking care of Lynn is a difficult task because Lynn does not make it – Katie is on her own to fulfill her dreams and she feels she must live up to the promised expectations of Lynn. The entire family, but especially Katie, must deal with Lynn’s illness and death and the parents must deal with difficult work experiences with little or no worker’s rights. This book has won many awards (listed below) and it is no wonder why – every library should own a copy as children and adults of all ages will enjoy reading this Japanese family’s story of love, togetherness, struggle and survival in rural Georgia. Highly recommended for public libraries and K-12 school libraries.

Awards and Honors for kira-kira:

·      ALA Notable Children's Books

·      Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

·      Blue Spruce YA Book Award Nominee

·      Booklinks Lasting Connections

·      Booklist Editors' Choice

·      Capitol Choices List (DC)

·      Cooperative Children's Book Council Choices

·      Charlotte Award Reading List (NY)

·      Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award master

·      Garden State Teen Book Award nominee

·      Junior Library Guild selection

·      Kiriyama Prize Notable Book

·      KSRC Middle School Titles, Top Pick

·      Nene Award Master List (HI)

·      NYPL “Books for the Teen Age”

·      Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award Master List

·      Thumbs Up! Award Master List (MI)

For libraries with diverse populations, kira-kira is also available in simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Italian, Romanian, Serbian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese. To read more about kira-kira, or to listen to an audio clip of the story, please visit Kadohata’s website.