Basic Story

Kira-kira.  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 shining in the future.

The novel spans 1951, the year Katie is born, to 1963, and takes place mostly in rural Georgia.

Kira-Kira

·  What is the literal meaning of kira-kira?  How do the girls use the word?  At the end of the book, does Katie feel there is kira-kira in her future?  Why do you think that?

Characters

·  Can you describe the following characters?  Katie, Lynn, Mrs. Takeshima, Mr. Takeshima, Uncle Katsuhisa

·  Who is your favorite character?  Why?

·  How does Katie change throughout the book?  What do you think Katie’s future will be like?  Why do you think that?

Story

·  Did being Japanese affect the characters’ lives?  Can you name specific examples? 

·  One page 13, Katie says, “…my parents said hitting someone was the worse thing you could do.  Stealing was second, and lying was third.”  Later on Katie commits all three of these crimes.  Can you name the incidents?  What does she do each one?

·  On page 183, the sisters tell each other “I hate you.”  Do they really hate each other?  Why do they say so?

Writing

·  The author originally planned to call the novel I WISH.  Can you find examples of Katie wishing for something?  Which title do you like better, I WISH or KIRA-KIRA?  Why?

·   Is there humor in the book?  Give examples.  Why do you think the author included happy parts as well as sad?  Imagine the book with no happy or funny sections.  Would you like it better or worse?

Applications to your own life

·  Do you have a best friend?  What do you learn from each other?

·  Name something in your life that you would describe as kira-kira.

·  Do you know anyone who was alive in 1951?  Ask them how life was different then.  How was it better?  How was it worse?  When would you have rather lived, then or now?  Why?

·  What do you think your future will be like?  How have your family, friends, and teachers influenced the way you imagine your future?

·  Do you know anyone who has died?  How did knowing them change you?

·  Have you ever felt broken-hearted?  How did you get over it?

·  Has race affected your own life?  In what ways?