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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
This is a really lovely exploration of family, identity, and loss. And tigers!
Still recovering from their father’s death years before, two sisters are moved to the small town where their grandmother lives by their mother. They soon find out it’s because their grandmother is sick and doesn’t have long to live.
I loved how the magical realism/fantasy elements were integrated into this story — it worked really well because it was so tied to the Big Feelings the main character was having. I did feel the tiger stuff got a tad repetitive, so I was going back and forth between 4 & 5 stars. But the end made me cry SO much that I rounded up.
I also really loved the author’s note.
This is a really lovely exploration of family, identity, and loss. And tigers!
Still recovering from their father’s death years before, two sisters are moved to the small town where their grandmother lives by their mother. They soon find out it’s because their grandmother is sick and doesn’t have long to live.
I loved how the magical realism/fantasy elements were integrated into this story — it worked really well because it was so tied to the Big Feelings the main character was having. I did feel the tiger stuff got a tad repetitive, so I was going back and forth between 4 & 5 stars. But the end made me cry SO much that I rounded up.
I also really loved the author’s note.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
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
This is a beautiful book, and a fine addition to the surprisingly robust sub-genre of Is That Animal Real or Imaginary? so common in middle grade writing and nowhere else.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Lily, along with her mother and her sister, Sam go to stay with her halmoni or grandmother. While she is there she encounters a tiger that nobody else can see, but the tiger makes a deal with Lily to bring her stories trapped in jars, and she will help her halmoni. Each night, Lily opens a jar and releases the stories for the tiger to tell, but her halmoni's heath continues to deteriorate. Lily begins to wonder if maybe trusting the tiger was the wrong thing to do.
When You Trap a Tiger is filled with symbolism and lessons about growing up and accepting change. Much of what is in the story comes from Korean folklore and shows that many stories are universal. At the same time, Lily is learning to let go of her youth and realize that life moves forward whether we want it to or not. For a book written for middle grade readers, some of the ideas presented in the story might be a little too abstract, but overall, When You Trap a Tiger is an interesting story interwoven with many life changing themes. 3 1/2 stars.
When You Trap a Tiger is filled with symbolism and lessons about growing up and accepting change. Much of what is in the story comes from Korean folklore and shows that many stories are universal. At the same time, Lily is learning to let go of her youth and realize that life moves forward whether we want it to or not. For a book written for middle grade readers, some of the ideas presented in the story might be a little too abstract, but overall, When You Trap a Tiger is an interesting story interwoven with many life changing themes. 3 1/2 stars.
Wow! A powerful story for all young readers! I got lost in the Korean heritage, tiger stories, and grandmother-granddaughter relationship....and it made me miss my grandmothers and all the stories that they can share with the younger generations. A great message for all to enjoy and definitely worth the medal it earned!
emotional
informative
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:
No
Lily's sister calls her a QAG, a quiet Asian girl. Lily's mom thinks of her as the one who doesn't cause any trouble. Lily's friends don't call her anything because she doesn't really have any. But to Halmoni, grandma, she is Lily Bean, magical and brave. When Halmoni starts getting sick, Lily is the only one to suspect the magical tigers who have been trying to find Halmoni all her life, so she sets out to do something about it.
This book is an emotional magical realism full of traditions, magic, family relationships, loss and finding yourself. If you follow my reviews, you know I'm a sucker for a bit of good character development, and I can't help but be impressed by Tae Keller's excellent understanding of both children and adults. Whether its the grumpy librarian, the rebellious teenage sister or Ricky of the many hats, these characters are built with a finesse that adds depth to the story and makes everything just a bit more magical. I also love that it is a book about Korean traditions, not just a book with Korean characters in it, and the author doesn't shy away from mentioning real issues, though in a way that's friendly for middle school audiences, of course.
In many ways, this book was like a deep breath in and out and is just what I needed this week. Thank you.
This book is an emotional magical realism full of traditions, magic, family relationships, loss and finding yourself. If you follow my reviews, you know I'm a sucker for a bit of good character development, and I can't help but be impressed by Tae Keller's excellent understanding of both children and adults. Whether its the grumpy librarian, the rebellious teenage sister or Ricky of the many hats, these characters are built with a finesse that adds depth to the story and makes everything just a bit more magical. I also love that it is a book about Korean traditions, not just a book with Korean characters in it, and the author doesn't shy away from mentioning real issues, though in a way that's friendly for middle school audiences, of course.
In many ways, this book was like a deep breath in and out and is just what I needed this week. Thank you.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes