About This Book
This Newbery Medal-winning novel follows 12-year-old Lily as her family moves in with her ailing Korean grandmother. A magical tiger from Halmoni's folktales soon appears, demanding the return of something stolen long ago in exchange for Halmoni's health. Lily is faced with a difficult choice, learning that deals with mystical creatures are rarely straightforward. With the help of her sister and a new friend, Lily embarks on a quest to uncover a secret family history, find her voice, and bravely confront the tiger. It's a poignant and uplifting story about family bonds, cultural heritage, the power of storytelling, and finding inner strength in the face of fear and loss. Perfect for middle-grade readers navigating complex emotions and cultural identity.
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL • WINNER OF THE ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY Would you make a deal with a magical tiger? This uplifting story brings Korean folklore to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlock the power of stories and save her grandmother. Some stories refuse to stay bottled up... When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal--return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni's health--Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice...and the courage to face a tiger. Tae Keller, the award-winning author of The Science of Breakable Things, shares a sparkling tale about the power of stories and the magic of family. "If stories were written in the stars ... this wondrous tale would be one of the brightest." —Booklist, Starred Review
Discussion Prompts
1
How do stories, both real and mythical, help Lily understand her family and herself?
2
What does bravery mean to Lily, and how does she show it throughout the book?
3
How does Lily's biracial identity and Korean heritage influence her journey?
4
What lessons does Lily learn about making deals and trusting others?
5
How does Lily's relationship with her grandmother and sister evolve?
External Reviews
Awards
1 award
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