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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
A gorgeous story about grief, ancestry, family and love, When You Trap A Tiger is a beautiful middle fade you won’t want to miss. The writing is stunning and the story will touch anyone of any age deeply. Pick up your copy on January 28, 2020.
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
This magical realism story caught me a bit off guard because of the magic of it. I was a bit confused while reading as to whether the tiger was an allusion or not. As this story uses Korean folktales, I had thought it wouldn’t be an allusion but now I’m not so sure. Either way, I thought the use of the tiger along with the Korean folktales was done really well. While I know little about the culture’s folktales I found them super interesting and they were actually my favorite parts to read.
I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book because of all the aspects that were already put into play for our main character such as the tiger, the situation with her halmoni, her relationship with her sister, her trying to find friends, as well as having a parent that passed away. However, the author was able to mix all of these situations and create a really great story. I really didn’t expect to get teary-eyed from a MG story but here I was sniffling as I read the last chapter or two.
One thing I was a bit iffy about was Lily’s age. I don’t recall it being mentioned but I believe she was about to be going into 7th grade but at times she sounded much younger. I think this mainly has to do with the tiger and magical realism aspect of the story. Some of the comments Lily made about the tiger and ways of catching it felt odd for someone in middle school to be making, had her character been younger it would’ve made more sense.
I do wish there had been more details about a specific relationship that’s revealed at the end. There is a WLW relationship shown at the end and while I wasn’t surprised as I think the crumbs for it were laid throughout the story, I wish we could’ve seen more of it.
Now, this is just a side note but the cover is gorgeous and it’s what made me want to pick up the book, to begin with. If you’re looking for a book that includes Korean folktales as well as a Korean MC that has magical realism, I would definitely pick up this book. While it is a middle-grade book I wouldn’t let that stop you from giving it a try.
I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book because of all the aspects that were already put into play for our main character such as the tiger, the situation with her halmoni, her relationship with her sister, her trying to find friends, as well as having a parent that passed away. However, the author was able to mix all of these situations and create a really great story. I really didn’t expect to get teary-eyed from a MG story but here I was sniffling as I read the last chapter or two.
One thing I was a bit iffy about was Lily’s age. I don’t recall it being mentioned but I believe she was about to be going into 7th grade but at times she sounded much younger. I think this mainly has to do with the tiger and magical realism aspect of the story. Some of the comments Lily made about the tiger and ways of catching it felt odd for someone in middle school to be making, had her character been younger it would’ve made more sense.
I do wish there had been more details about a specific relationship that’s revealed at the end. There is a WLW relationship shown at the end and while I wasn’t surprised as I think the crumbs for it were laid throughout the story, I wish we could’ve seen more of it.
Now, this is just a side note but the cover is gorgeous and it’s what made me want to pick up the book, to begin with. If you’re looking for a book that includes Korean folktales as well as a Korean MC that has magical realism, I would definitely pick up this book. While it is a middle-grade book I wouldn’t let that stop you from giving it a try.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
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
The beginning makes it seem like just some boring book but I BEG anyone who reads this to continue. The beginning has a reason and it’s just such a well crafted novel.
A beautiful story about family, heritage and finding your own voice. I did cry a few tears in the end and had goosebumps when I read the author's note.
I read this in a day or so! All the emotions it gave me-
When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me stories. I used to curl up in bed deside her and she used to whisper stories to me in the dark before I slept. My favourite was always the three little piggies, but with an original twist special to us. Or even a story about a princess trying to pick her favourite dress. And sometimes I used to whisper stories to her. And even though we dont do it anymore, those memories are something I cherish and go back to often. So i could relate to that.
When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me stories. I used to curl up in bed deside her and she used to whisper stories to me in the dark before I slept. My favourite was always the three little piggies, but with an original twist special to us. Or even a story about a princess trying to pick her favourite dress. And sometimes I used to whisper stories to her. And even though we dont do it anymore, those memories are something I cherish and go back to often. So i could relate to that.
“A cure is not about what we want. It's about what we need. The same is true for stories.”
Lily is a normal, if a little shy, biracial girl. Until she makes a dangerous deal with a mystical tiger that lives in her grandmother’s basement, changing her relationship with her family, friends and how she sees her place in the world.
"When You Trap A Tiger" is a perfect gift for the young reader (late elementary, early middle) in your life! The book expertly navigates grief, growing-pains and proudly re-connect with your culture. I laughed, I cried, I loved it. 9/10
Lily is a normal, if a little shy, biracial girl. Until she makes a dangerous deal with a mystical tiger that lives in her grandmother’s basement, changing her relationship with her family, friends and how she sees her place in the world.
"When You Trap A Tiger" is a perfect gift for the young reader (late elementary, early middle) in your life! The book expertly navigates grief, growing-pains and proudly re-connect with your culture. I laughed, I cried, I loved it. 9/10
It wasn't what I was expecting but I like it nonetheless.