Kira-Kira. ISBN 978-0-689-85640-2. Cynthia Kadohata. 2004. Newbery Medal. Ages 12-15. Japanese-American.

Katie Takeshima loves her older sister Lynn. Lynn taught Katie her first work, kira-kira, which means glittering. Lynn teaches Katie to see the world as kira-kira. This Japanese-American family makes the move from Iowa to Georgia in the 1950‘s in order for Mother and Father to find jobs in the poultry production plants. The family has another baby, and the goal of purchasing a home seems attainable. Then, life for the Takeshimas changes. Lynn gets ill. Mother and Father must work even more hours to keep their jobs, pay Lynn’s medical bills, and pay the mortgage on the home that they thought would make them happy. After Lynn’s death, this close-knit family finds a way to continue with their lives and to honor their daughter. “Here at the sea - especially at the sea - I could hear my sister’s voice in the waves: ‘Kira-kira! Kira-kira!’”

Students could explore their own heritage and ancestry. The teacher could also lead a discussion or use as a writing prompt, “Why is your heritage important?” Students could also be asked to find a folk song or poem from their cultural heritage to share. The history of Japanese immigration and life in the United States for Japanese-Americans could also be explored. This exploration could include a discussion of Japanese-American internment camps during World War II. A general history of discrimination and segregation in the United States could also be studied based on a reading of Kira-Kira.