Kira - Kira Audiobook By Cynthia Kadohata cover art

Kira - Kira

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Kira - Kira

By: Cynthia Kadohata
Narrated by: Elaina Erika Davis
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Glittering. That’s how Katie Takeshima’s sister, Lynn, makes everything seem. The sky is kira-kira because its color is deep but see-through at the same time. The sea is kira-kira for the same reason. And so are people’s eyes. When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it’s Lynn who explains to her why people stop them on the street to stare. And it’s Lynn who, with her special way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow. But when Lynn becomes desperately ill, and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering—kira-kira—in the future.
Luminous in its persistence of love and hope, Kira-Kira is Cynthia Kadohata’s stunning debut in middle-grade fiction.©2005 Cynthia Kadohata; (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group Asian American Growing Up & Facts of Life Historical Fiction Multicultural Stories Newbery Medal Family Life Heartfelt Literature & Fiction Japanese For Kids
Heartbreaking Story • Poignant Storytelling • Wonderful Narrator • Beautiful Writing • Great Performance

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I like the story because it hooked you in and I could not stop listening.📔

The book was really great

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This is a wonderfully stirring book with a wonderful narrator. On an road trip, my family (kids 4-10, mother, grandmother) listened with rapt attention. We laughed, we sympathised, and the children asked questions that led to wonderful discussions. A wonderful way to spend a trip or an evening at home. Definitely beats hearing "Are we there yet?" over and over.

Wonderful family fair!

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended this book to my sister - it is slow to develop into a story about a younger sister's loss of her older sister. The love described is beautiful; the sister is nurtured by her sister and she, in turn, nurtures her younger brother. The parents, immigrants from Japan in the early 50's, must work every day for long hours. They love their children, but the direct nurturing comes from each other.

What other book might you compare Kira-Kira to and why?

There is no comparison to this book. It was so delightful in many ways but so sad in other ways.

What about Elaina Erika Davis’s performance did you like?

I loved her role in first person telling the story of a young woman's perspective of having an ill sister and of her having to take on roles that aren't comfortable. She portrayed the character very well.

If you could rename Kira-Kira, what would you call it?

Butterfly

Any additional comments?

The only thing I didn't clearly understand was some of the cultural issues. I would have to look to ensure that Japanese people celebrate American New Year in that area rather than Chinese New Year - they very well may have started embracing American holidays. Most other Asians celebrate the Chinese New Year.

What a touching book!

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It is well narrated and full of emotion. There is a good theme that is demonstrated in the book.

Good soup

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The performance is great! What a sad but wholesome story. It was very much worth it.

Great story

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