Kira-Kira
Children’s literature is an amazing thing. There have been several instances in my life when a simple children’s book can make me feel a lot more power in words and learn a lot more about how to write than an ‘adult’ book. Some of my favorite books in the world are supposedly for children – The Chronicles of Narnia, Bridge to Terebethia, Words of Stone, His Dark Materials Triology. These are books I can read again and again and always enjoy them, though Bridge to Terebethia is too sad to do that with. It was the first book that ever made me cry, and cry hard. I read the ending with tears rolling down my cheeks. No adult book has ever made that happen for me.
So when assigned a children’s book for a class, I was pleased. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, winner of the 2004 Newberry Award, in other words the best children’s book of the year. Before I read it, I got a negative report from a friend of mine. I wasn’t swayed by the report, but upon finishing the book, I have no idea why she didn’t like it. It was such a simple and beautiful book, even though the theme (an ill sister and how it affects the protaganist) has been done before and done well. This book added some twists and was beautiful. I highly recommend it.
It was also short. 240 pages, yes, but I read it in 2 hours or so. And that was a thorough readthru too. So pick it up, if you get a chance. I’m sure many libraries will stock it since it received such a high award. It’s definitely worth a couple of hours.
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