53 pages • 1 hour read
Cynthia KadohataKira-Kira
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Kira-Kira, Katie Takeshima recounts her life as a Japanese American girl in the 1950s South, highlighting her family's struggles in the poultry industry, enduring societal prejudice, and the devastating impact of her sister Lynn's terminal illness. This novel references death and contains some profanity.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata is a poignant novel praised for its heartfelt narrative and authentic depiction of a Japanese-American family's struggles in the 1950s. Critics appreciate its evocative prose and strong character development. However, some find the pacing slow and certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it offers a touching exploration of family bonds and identity.
Who Should Read Kira-Kira?
Fans of deeply emotional and introspective young adult literature, such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, will be captivated by the poignant narrative and heartfelt themes of family, resilience, and cultural identity in Cynthia Kadohata’s Kira-Kira.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
740LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Asian Literature
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Grief / Death
Civil Rights / Jim Crow
History: U.S.
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Emotions/Behavior: Love