Reviews

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

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trixster33's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

dilchh's review

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3.0

I honestly thought that this was going to be a quick read, until I realise it was very hard to digest or enjoy the said story. It was not that this book was not entertaining, but it was really hard, and I mean really hard, to understand the voice of a teenage girl. But, don't get me wrong, this was what eventually made me like the story and Katie, as the main character of the book. You can see how Katie develops, first normally like how a teenage girls would, and then surprisingly, it's as if she just grew wiser in one night but you can tell she's still the same teenage girl that she is.

I think for a children's book, this was a bit too dark, especially the fact that Lynn died on her own. Not that it would have been easier had there was anyone with her at all. I cannot imagine how wrecked I would have been had I read this book when I was around Katie's age, instead at 27 right now. Even so, I am still a wrecked after I finished the last paragraph of the last chapter. The idea that Katie could still hear her sister's voice saying kira-kira when Katie finally went to the sea.

As much as I liked the story, I find Katie and Lynn's relationship to be way too perfect. I have the same composition of a sibling with Katie, me being Katie, and I also have an elder sister and a younger brother. I can tell you that we are in no way as close Katie and Lynn was, though I remembered that my sister was as overprotective as Lynn was to Katie. My relationship to my younger brother does in a way similar to that of Katie and Sammy's relationship. I moved around a lot as a kid and still I think that Katie and Lynn was already wise beyond their years, in that it's as if they don't struggle with the idea to move to a new place. For me, everytime we move places, I would be hunted by nightmares.

Anyway, you have to pardon me if this review is such a mess. On my defense, I am typing this review in the middle of the class as I am simultaneously pretend to pay attention and are taking notes.

gracepizza40's review

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5.0

This is one of my favorite books. It's so good.

faeinthegardens's review

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4.0

Reading this book felt like I was a kid again. The writing and story are simple, but so impactful.

jaydeereading's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

yourlocal_nychotdog's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is such a sad piece of work for me. When Lynn died and Katie was talking to her uncle, I remember him saying how he felt with grief and the loss. I still remember what he said and it resonated with me truly. Lynn and Katie's dynamic is so heartbreaking especially near the end when Lynn was dying and Katie just couldn't do it anymore (she is a child and seeing someone whom she admires dying takes a toll on you so she snapped, it felt as though they weren't just characters in a book but real people who you would see while walking outside. 5 stars I cried but the best books are the ones you shed tears for.