When katie and her family move from a japanese community in iowa to the deep south of georgia, its lynn who explains to her why people stop them on the street to stare. The familys devotion to one another, and lynns ability to teach katie to appreciate the kira kira, or glittering, in everyday life makes this novel shine. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 272 pages and is available in paperback format. I really liked this book, because it got my attention evry time i read it. Kirakira was a short, fun tale that i definitely recommend. The novel is a firstperson narration by katie takeshima, the middle child of japaneseamerican parents. Two sisters were best of friends, until one day, lynn fell ill and that was where everything started going downhill. Adult author cynthia kadohata makes her debut in childrens literature with kirakira, a fictional memoir of filial love. The books plot is about a japaneseamerican family living in georgia.
Ask students to write a one page description of something that is kira kira to them. Kirakira book by cynthia kadohata official publisher. Tone main character everything was gray, the sky and the store and even my. The book anonces that the faimly is moving to georgia with thier uncle, thier dads brother. Sep 04, 20 kira kira was a short, fun tale that i definitely recommend. Since katie and lynn care about their family, their love helps their problems. This book, kirakira is about a japanese family, the takeshima family. Free download or read online kira kira pdf epub book. Cynthia kadohata is the author of the newbery medalwinning book kirakira, the national book award winner the thing about luck, the jane addams peace award and pen america award winner weedflower, cracker. It won the newbery medal for childrens literature in 2005. Cynthia kadohata is the author of the newbery medalwinning book kira kira, the national book award winner the thing about luck, the jane addams peace award and pen usa award winner weedflower, cracker.
Thats how katie takeshimas sister, lynn, makes everything seem. Kirakira by cynthia kadohata scholastic books for kids. I recommend this book to people who like historical fiction a kind of adventure books. Katie does her best to remember lynns kirakira glittering. In the novel, kira kira, we watch katie grow from a tiny nearly five year old into a heartbroken, mature eleven years. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading kirakira. The pacific rim voices project designated kirakira a kiryama prize notable book, and the bank street college of education included the novel on its 2004 list of best childrens books of the year.
Kathy, lindsay, sammy katie, lynn, sammy katie, lynn, smith. First its in iowa, and then moves to a japaneseamerican neighborhood in georgia. This family lived in iowa, then moved to georgia after the dad lost his job, in iowa. Kirakira kee ra kee ra is a japanese word for glittering.
Theme analysis growing up although katie is barely twelve years old when the novel ends, she has been forced by circumstances to grow up more quickly, at least in some respects, than might be expected of a girl her age. The book is mainly about two sisters, lynn and katie, and how they always stick together. And how the title of the book, kirakira, realates to the book. Pdf kirakira book by cynthia kadohata free download 272.
Reading guide for kirakira by cynthia kadohata bookbrowse. Like kadohatas first novel, kirakira is set within the tightly knit world of a japanese american family in the american south in the 1950s. Kira kira title, author, and genre opinion and recommendation. Checked by cynthia kadohata, maurizio zorat, paperback. Lynn and katie takeshima use kirakira to describe all the subtle wonders of being alive, from boxes of kleenex to the light that dances in a persons eyes. In the novel, kirakira, we watch katie grow from a tiny nearly five year old into a heartbroken, mature eleven years old. This study guide consists of approximately 70 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of kirakira. In the novel, kirakira, we watch katie grow from a tiny nearly five year old into a heartbroken, mature eleven years. Katie and every japanese family including hank, silly and her mother. They drink ochazuke, traditional japanese teagreen tea mixed with riceand uncle katsuhisa teaches the girls about the constellations, including the sode boshi, the kimono sleeve, which is the japanese way of seeing what in the west is called orion. Kira kira kira kira by cynthia kadohata tone project by jordan rappoport setting quote kirakira is set in the 196070s. This study guide consists of approximately 70 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of kira kira.
Plot summary katie loves her big sister, lynn, who sees even ordinary things in the world as kirakira, a japanese word for glittering. Kira kira is a young adult novel by cynthia kadohata. Adult author cynthia kadohata makes her debut in childrens literature with kira kira, a fictional memoir of filial love. Help guide students through the novel with vocabulary prompts and comprehension activities. Examples may include the ocean, stars, the moon, the morning dew on the grass, a dancer under a spotlight, etc. This unforgettable story is a comingofage tale of one familys difficulties in adapting to a postworld war ii society that is reluctant to welcome a japanese family that is laboring in georgias poultry plants. When i grew older, i used kirakira to describe everything i. Kirakira in japanese meaning glittering or shining. Asked in name origins what is the theme of the book kirakira.
Parents need to know that kira kira is a story about a poor japaneseamerican family living in the south during the 1950s. Kirakira by cynthia kadohata hardcover book the parent store. Jun 20, 2008 cynthia kadohata is the author of the newbery medalwinning book kirakira, the national book award winner the thing about luck, the jane addams peace award and pen america award winner weedflower, cracker. She taught her younger sister katie the phrase kirakira which in japanese. Jun 20, 2008 kirakira ebook written by cynthia kadohata. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading kira kira. Kirakira, cynthia kadohata kirakira is a young adult novel by cynthia kadohata. It is a graceful, lyrical, unflinching and illuminating look at a japanese american family living in challenging personal and social times.
Telling her tale through the strong, believable voice of 10yearold katie takeshima, kadohata sets her narrative in postworld war ii america. This becomes the theme of the book, as katie will learn that lynnies beautiful and tooshort life is kirakira when she becomes terminally ill with cancer. To never give up hopethis theme comes across during the book in the way how the whole family has to not give up in the fact that lynn might have lived a long healthy life. Dont worry you can read or download this book or ebook in my blogs. The novel follows some serious subject matter and themes, including the death of a close friend.
This chapter shows that although they live in the united states, the family still observes its japanese traditions. The book s plot is about a japaneseamerican family living in georgia. Inside the living room, my father laid me down on my cot. The thing about luck book by cynthia kadohata, julia kuo. Lynn told me that when i was a baby, she used to take me onto our empty road at night, where we would lie on our backs and look at the stars while she said over and over, katie, say kirakira, kirakira i loved that word. Kirakira is a young adult novel by cynthia kadohata. Kirakira by cynthia kadohata timeline timetoast timelines. Ask students to write a one page description of something that is kirakira to them. Katie does her best to remember lynns kira kira glittering. Feb 01, 2004 kira kira, cynthia kadohata kira kira is a young adult novel by cynthia kadohata. The main character and narrator of the story is a girl named katie takeshima, the middle child in a japaneseamerican family.
The main characters of this young adult, historical story are katie minnamino, uncle katsuhisa. Cynthia kadohata is the author of the newbery medalwinning book kirakira, the national book award winner the thing about luck, the jane addams peace award and pen usa award winner weedflower, cracker. If hope there family did give up on lynn she might not have made it as far in life as she did. When katie and her family move from a japanese community in iowa to the deep south of georgia, its lynn who explains to. Dariimaa 1 celine 2 amy 3 hwee yee 4 kei 2 harmony. The novels title is actually the first word her sister lynn, who is four years older, teaches the narrator, katie takeshima. Aug 08, 2014 two sisters were best of friends, until one day, lynn fell ill and that was where everything started going downhill. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read kirakira. Reading guide for kirakira by cynthia kadohata discussion guide for book clubs. I enjoy yelling at cameras about books that ive over. Cynthia kadohatas first novel for children embodies the meaning of its title.
The main theme is katies 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. Its a wonderful book, whether youre looking for a meaty read for younger kids or a breezy one for teens. Katies sister becomes deathly ill with lymphoma, and it tears the family apart. The sky is kira kira because its color is deep but seethrough at the same time. What happens at the end of the book kira kira answers. When they move, lynn becomes distant from her family. The familys devotion to one another, and lynns ability to teach katie to appreciate the kirakira, or glittering, in everyday life makes this novel shine. The title of kadohatas fiction debut means glittering in japanese. In the first cople pages the author talks about how lynn and katie are very good sisters and how they watch out for each other all the time. Although katie is barely twelve years old when the novel ends, she has been forced by circumstances to grow up more. The main theme is katies relationship with her sister lynn, as the two girls alternately come together and drift apart, but kirakira also touches on poverty, discrimination, and coming of age. Katie takeshimas sister lynn makes everything seem glittering and shining. The first edition of the novel was published in february 1st 2004, and was written by cynthia kadohata.
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 in the future. Parents need to know that kirakira is a story about a poor japaneseamerican family living in the south during the 1950s. Free download or read online kirakira pdf epub book. This is a quiz about the book kirakira by cynthia kadohata. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This is a quiz about the book kira kira by cynthia kadohata.
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