| Book Details | |
|---|---|
Title |
When you trap a tiger |
Author |
Tae Keller |
Publisher |
Random house children’s book |
Publication Date |
01/03/2023 |
Pages |
320 |
Genre |
Fantasy fiction / Magic realism |
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is an American children’s book author. This book, When You Trap a Tiger, won the 2021 Newbery Award.
In this inspirational tale, a girl sets out to discover the power of stories in order to rescue her grandma, bringing Korean mythology to life.
Story Plot
Lily, her mom, and her sister move in with her aging Halmoni (Korean term for a grandmother). Lily’s Halmoni is sick due to a magical tiger because, according to the tiger, Lily’s Halmoni stole the tiger’s stories. Lily must find the stories in order to save her Halmoni.
Summary
“When You Trap a Tiger” focuses on Lily, a Korean girl. Lily’s mother one day surprises the family by informing them that they will be traveling to Washington to live with her grandmother. Halmoni is fighting cancer, and the transfer is designed to ensure that she receives better care. Lily’s grandmother often tells her stories about tigers. One day, one of the tigers from Lily’s stories comes to life and informs Lily that her Halmoni stole something from the tiger. The tiger claims that in exchange for Lily giving back what her Halmoni stole, Lily will receive power to help.
Characters
Though Lily views herself as an invisible girl, she learns bravery on the way to trying to save her grandmother. She occasionally loses her temper, but it’s only because she’s desperate to keep her sick grandma alive. For someone going through this hopeful yet dismal position, they read as being really realistic.
Unlike Lily, Sam, Lily’s older sister, is unaware of the magical tiger. The two were once quite close, but like many siblings, they have grown apart over time. The sisters remain at odds for the majority of the novel. Despite their difficulty communicating, their love for one another is clear.
Ricky is Lily’s best friend and is full of energy; he was the biggest help for Lily in the novel. Though both fumbled with Lily being impatient and Ricky being insensitive at times, it was something Lily really needed, and Ricky gave an otherwise sad story a little serotonin boost.
Theme or Message
Positive themes include family, fortitude, and resilience in the face of mystery, ambiguity, and loss.
Strong lessons about owning your own experience and dealing with loss, grief, fear, and despair.
Gives voice to those who have been labeled “quiet,” “shy,” and worse.
Strengths
This book has a remarkable and inspirational plot that blends the aspects of adventure, fantasy, and current events. The writing that Tae Keller used was smooth and understandable, which made it easy for readers to understand the story. This book also expresses Korean folk tales, their language, and their culture, giving a clear view of Korean American culture. The story narrates the significance of the power of stories and imagination.
Weakness
Some readers might find the pace slow. This might be challenging for people who prefer fast-paced novels. This novel also highlights the theme of loss and family struggle; some readers might find this too heavy or emotional. Not every reader will find the combination of magical realism and ordinary living to be appealing. This feature may be unclear to those who value distinct lines separating reality from imagination, or it may be less pleasurable
Awards
This book, When You Trap a Tiger, won the John Newberry Medal in 2021 and the Asian or Pacific Award for Children’s Literature.
Who should read it
This book is ideal for individuals of all ages. This book is likewise quite easy to grasp, and the plot is very enjoyable.
Enjoy the novel while also learning about Korean culture through it. People who appreciate fantasy and magical realism will enjoy this novel.
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