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weekday's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I don’t even know what to say about this book. Sometimes you read a book that’s so special that you can’t even describe why you loved it so much. After finishing it, I put it down in awe and immediately wanted to buy myself a copy (I ended up adding it to my Christmas list). Keller’s writing is utterly gorgeous, yet very accessible to middle grade readers. The story explores Korean folklore, family relationships, friendships, LGBTQ relationships, and more. I found myself drawn into Lily’s journey of self-discovery and her quest to save her grandmother, who is slowly losing herself, body and mind, to cancer. The mythological tiger is woven wonderfully into the real-world setting of the story, and I found myself ever-eager to learn what Lily’s next encounter with the tiger would bring. The ending is beautiful and bittersweet, and I was left with a sense of loss when I turned the last page. Highly recommend this book!
I don’t even know what to say about this book. Sometimes you read a book that’s so special that you can’t even describe why you loved it so much. After finishing it, I put it down in awe and immediately wanted to buy myself a copy (I ended up adding it to my Christmas list). Keller’s writing is utterly gorgeous, yet very accessible to middle grade readers. The story explores Korean folklore, family relationships, friendships, LGBTQ relationships, and more. I found myself drawn into Lily’s journey of self-discovery and her quest to save her grandmother, who is slowly losing herself, body and mind, to cancer. The mythological tiger is woven wonderfully into the real-world setting of the story, and I found myself ever-eager to learn what Lily’s next encounter with the tiger would bring. The ending is beautiful and bittersweet, and I was left with a sense of loss when I turned the last page. Highly recommend this book!
atelierofbooks's review
4.0
Rating is more what my middle school self would have given this rather than my adult self. I'm so happy that these books are being written. The representation is so, so good.
noapo88's review
5.0
The power of stories and magic and love.
When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a great tiger appears almost straight from the Korean folklore that the grandmother used to tell Lily and her sister.
Is it real? Is it just Lily's imagination? Who can say?
A beautiful love story to Korean traditions and to stories in general. Tae Keller has such a way with words it's truly astounding.
It reminded me of "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness but instead of how you deal with a long term illness, this one talks about sudden loss, when you don't have time to prepare and you don't want to let go.
When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a great tiger appears almost straight from the Korean folklore that the grandmother used to tell Lily and her sister.
Is it real? Is it just Lily's imagination? Who can say?
A beautiful love story to Korean traditions and to stories in general. Tae Keller has such a way with words it's truly astounding.
It reminded me of "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness but instead of how you deal with a long term illness, this one talks about sudden loss, when you don't have time to prepare and you don't want to let go.
paetjdud's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Vomit, and Dementia
jennchantal's review
5.0
I read this beautifully written book with my 11 year old daughter. We both enjoyed the tale of a young Korean girl grappling with the impending death of her beloved Halmoni (grandmother). It’s a magical realism coming of age story that seamlessly intertwines traditional fairy tales with modern family dynamics. My daughter gives it 5 stars (in a jar).
kraley's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but some things felt a little off to me. Ricky and his dad, Ricky’s response when friends were around, why make Ricky wealthy? If people called Halmoni a witch, Lily would have heard it right off, not so much later that it was a surprise. The mom was very cardboard feeling. I didn’t even get a deep feeling between Halmoni and Lily. I also felt that Sam’s relationship was kind of gratuitous.
alexisamburgey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rainbowwitch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0