Kira-Kira

Kira-Kira

Author: Cynthia Kadohata

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (2004)

ISBN: 0689856393

3 (our of 5) STARS

Summary: Kira-Kira is about two very close sisters who grow up together first in Iowa and then in Georgia during the 1950s. When the older sister grows terminally ill, the younger sister must take on the role of the elder and hold the family together.

Review: Katie’s family moves to Georgia to find better work. They move into a small apartment and both parents quickly find jobs. Katie’s mother works at a poultry plant and cuts the thighs and drumsticks off the chickens. Katie’s father works at a different plant with baby chicks. He is called a “sexer” because he determines if the chicks are male and female. The female chicks are kept to lay eggs and the male chicks are killed.

Katie’s mother wants a house more than anything. Both parents work long hours. In fact, nearly all they do is work. In their thirties they already have gray hair and look old and beaten down. This raises the question, is it worth it? The family lives in an apartment but hope for a house. But this wish for a house keeps the parents away from the children nearly night and day. Maybe it would be better to be able to spend time together as a family and live in an apartment. This is an interesting question to ponder. How much sacrifice is something worth?