Kira Kira

Title : Kira-Kira
Author : Cynthia Kadohata
Year of Publication : 2004
Publisher : Simon and Schuster, New York

Kira kira is a Japanese word meaning glittering. It is also the first word taught to Katie by her older sister, Lynne. The story was told through Katie, the narrator, and chronicles around the close relationship between Katie Takeshima and her sister Lynne. The beginning of the story was a little slow but mid way through it, I couldn't put it down. The writing is beautiful... through Cynthia Kadohata's writings, Katie felt so real... like a true Japanese American girl somewhere out there. Through the simple eyes of Katie, cynthia Kadohata brought out the struggles of japanese-American family - struggle in terms of prejudice, poverty, cultural difference during the 1950s... she brought about family ties, sister bonds and dignity. it sets me thinking a lot after reading it...

Moi could relate it very well being very closely bonded to my family especially to Twinny. She is the most precious thing in my life... in certain way, the glitter of my life. Like Katie, I am inseperable from my sister. Lynne was always protecting and taking care of Katie and Katie trusted her 100% in whatever decisions that Lynne made cause she knew it's for her own good. Their roles took a reserve when Lynne got very sick and Katie needed to take care of her, a difficult and emotionally devastating job. The story narrated well on Katie's reluctance to become the care-giver and to become the decision maker for both Lynne, her older sister and her younger brother. She was always wishing for Lynne to get well soon so that Lynne could take care of her again... Of course it didn't materialise as Lynne die after a long struggle from lymphoma.

With the death of Lynne, the family grew stronger and realise the true meaning of life... Katie's parents were slogging very hard at work to pay Lynne's medical bill and to get her a house before her death (her dream)....they worked non-stop to provide and lost the chance of being with Lynne... it was depicted clearly at last part when katie's father got really upset and went to crash the windows of the mean boss whom they were working for... BUT they were poor with dignity. After crashing the windows, he went to apologise and taught katie that one must admit to mistakes so that we can live a life with a clear conscious and our head facing up....

From Katie...

My sister had taught me to look at the world that way, as a place that glitters..."

So even though I wanted her to keep watching me, I wished she would forget about me and never see me crying and never worry about me anymore, even if that meant I was now alone.

The death of Lynne did not crash Katie and her family but gave them more strength to live their lives to the fullest and to live the life that Lynne would have had wanted if she has been alive. Katie's grades got improved and she wanted to stay California by the sea just as once she had promised to move there with Lynne...

This story touches me a lot... it shows a love so strong and great... to live life for the one you love even if you are alone.... cause you love him or her so....kira kira....

Source : Official site of Cynthia Kadohata