Kira-Kira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Author | Cynthia Kadohata |
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| Original title | Kira-Kira |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher | Atheneum Books |
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Publication date
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2005 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 244 |
| ISBN | 0-689-85639-3 |
| OCLC | 51861752 |
| LC Class | PZ7.K1166 Ki 2004 |
Kira-Kira is a special book for young adults written by Cynthia Kadohata. It won the famous Newbery Medal in 2005, which is a big award for children's books! The story is about a Japanese-American family who lives in Georgia. The main character is a girl named Katie Takeshima. She tells the story from her point of view. The Japanese words "Kira-Kira" (キラ キラ) mean "glittering" or "shining."
Contents
The Story of Kira-Kira
A New Home in Georgia
The story begins in the early 1950s. Katie Takeshima and her family live in Iowa. Her parents own a Japanese supermarket there. In 1956, their store closes down. The family then moves to Georgia. They find an apartment there. Katie's parents start working at a hatchery. Many other Japanese families also work there.
Katie's older sister, Lynn, is her best friend. Katie looks up to Lynn very much. She thinks Lynn is the smartest person she knows. Lynn even beat their Uncle Katsuhisa at chess! He thought he was a chess master. Lynn taught Katie the special Japanese word "Kira-Kira." They use it to describe things that sparkle or shine in their lives.
When they first arrive in Georgia, Lynn helps Katie explore their new home. She teaches Katie to always think positively. Lynn is shown as a very sensible and independent girl. She even teaches Katie how to save money for their parents.
Katie's School Life and Family Changes
When Katie starts school, things are a bit hard. She is the only Japanese-American student in her class. Her grades are usually average C's. Lynn, on the other hand, always gets straight A's.
When Katie is six years old, her little brother, Samson, is born. They call him Sammy. As Lynn grows into a teenager, she makes a new friend named Amber. Lynn also becomes interested in boys. She starts spending more time with her friends. This means less time with Katie. Katie also notices Lynn changing. She begins to wear makeup and worry about her looks.
Without Lynn's constant company, Katie makes a new friend. Her name is Sylvia "Silly" Kilgore. Silly's mother also works at the hatchery.
Facing Difficult Times
Soon, Lynn starts feeling tired and unwell often. Doctors first think she has anemia. Later, she is diagnosed with lymphoma. This is a serious illness. Lynn becomes even sicker. Her friend Amber and her boyfriend Gregg stop spending time with her.
To help Lynn feel better, the family decides to move. They buy a house that Lynn chose. For a short time, this seems to help her. But then, something upsetting happens. Sammy gets caught in a metal animal trap. This happens on the large property of Mr. Lyndon. He owns the hatchery. Lynn becomes very distressed. Her health gets worse again. She becomes quiet and easily annoyed.
One day, Katie goes outside to relax. When she comes back, her father tells her sad news. Lynn has passed away. Katie then truly understands why Lynn taught her the word Kira-Kira. Lynn wanted her to always see the world as a shining place. She wanted Katie to never lose hope, even when things are very difficult.
Katie tries to help her parents. They are very sad. She starts doing chores around the house. She even cooks, which she used to dislike. During this hard time, Katie grows up a lot. She becomes sensible and independent, just like Lynn.
Finding Hope and Moving Forward
The day Lynn dies, Katie's father becomes very angry. He is usually calm. But seeing Sammy struggle with a limp from the trap makes him upset. He takes Katie with him to damage Mr. Lyndon's car. This act shocks Katie. Later, her father tells Mr. Lyndon what he did. As a result, he loses his job. Katie is worried that her father is now unemployed. But he tells her about another hatchery. It is opening in Missouri. He thinks he will work there next. It will be a longer drive, though.
After things calm down, Katie finds Lynn's diary. She reads it and realizes something important. Lynn knew she was going to die. She had even written a will four days before her death. Katie decides to try and fulfill one of Lynn's wishes: to get better grades in school.
To cheer everyone up, the family decides to go on a vacation. Katie suggests California. This is because Lynn had dreamed of having a house by the sea there. The family arrives in California. As Katie walks on the beach, she imagines hearing her sister's voice in the waves. It says, "Kira-Kira! Kira-Kira!"
