When You Trap a Tiger: A Moving and Heartfelt Novel by Tae Keller – Review

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is an amazing and heartwarming story about a young girl’s journey of understanding her family, culture, and identity. This book is a well-crafted masterpiece that will leave readers feeling inspired and hopeful. It is an excellent story for all ages that touches on important themes like family, friendship, and self-discovery. The story follows ten-year-old Korean American Lily as she unravels the mystery of her grandmother’s past. With help from her friends, she discovers the power of her own family history and the strength of her own voice.

The writing in this book is superb; it draws you in with its beautiful descriptions and captivating dialogue. The characters are lovable and feel real, which makes the story even more enjoyable to read. Keller does a great job of exploring different cultures, beliefs, and traditions without feeling like she’s lecturing or preaching to readers. She also does an admirable job of addressing tough topics like death and grief in a sensitive yet powerful way.

Overall, When You Trap a Tiger is an incredibly moving novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. It’s an uplifting story that celebrates family bonds while teaching lessons about resilience, courage, and finding one’s true purpose.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller Review

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A Breathtaking Coming-of-Age Story – When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Award-winning author Tae Keller brings us a captivating and heart-warming story with her book, When You Trap a Tiger. Set in the beautiful city of Seattle, the story follows Lily, who is on a quest to uncover her mysterious family history. As Lily discovers more about her past, she must also face the present day struggles that come with growing up.

Key Features:

  • 1. A captivating coming-of-age story set in Seattle
  • 2. Join Lily as she unravels her family’s mysteries and secrets
  • 3. Explores themes such as family bonds, identity, and resilience
  • 4. Winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal and Pura Belpre Award

This book is perfect for readers of all ages. Whether you are looking for an adventure or simply need to escape into another world, this book will take you away. With its vivid imagery and compelling characters, it’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied. So don’t wait any longer; dive right into When You Trap a Tiger, and let yourself be swept away!

Product Details

Product Name Author Publisher
When You Trap a Tiger Tae Keller Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date ISBN-10 ISBN-13
April 7, 2020 1524715700 978-1524715705
Number of Pages Language Format
320 pages English Hardcover, Paperback and Kindle Edition.
Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight (lbs) Edition Number
8.19 x 5.44 x 0.9 inches 0.7 lbs. 1st edition.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller Pros and Cons

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller: Pros and Cons

Pros
1. Powerful Storytelling: When You Trap a Tiger is a captivating story full of drama, heartbreak, and hope. It follows the journey of 11-year-old Korean-American Lily as she tries to unravel the mystery of her mother’s disappearance while dealing with family secrets.
2. Diverse Characters: The main characters in this book have diverse backgrounds, including Korean, Mexican-American, and African American.
3. Authentic Representation: The author has created an authentic representation of the Korean culture and traditions in this book.
4. Educational Value: This book has educational value for those looking to learn more about Korean culture and folklore.
5. Engaging Plot: The plot of this book is engaging and will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

Cons
1. Slow Pacing: Some readers may find the pacing of this book to be a bit slow in parts.
2. Child Protagonist: This book has a child protagonist, which some readers may not enjoy reading about.
3. Sad Theme: This book deals with some very sad themes, so it’s not for everyone who prefers lighter stories.

Who are They for

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is an enchanting and captivating story of one young girl’s journey to understanding her family’s past. This amazing novel follows the life of Lily, who is struggling to understand why her beloved grandmother harbors such secrecy about her childhood. When Lily discovers an old photograph of a woman named Sook-hee, she embarks on a magical journey that reveals the long-buried secrets of her family’s past.

Told with poetic mastery and stunning insight, When You Trap a Tiger is an unforgettable tale of courage, resilience, and finding strength in our stories. It’s a timeless book that will remain in readers’ hearts for generations to come. With vivid characters and a strong sense of culture, this extraordinary story will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful.

A truly unique work of art, When You Trap a Tiger is sure to become a classic. The perfect blend of fantasy and reality, this heartwarming story will fill readers with warmth and joy. Whether you are looking for an inspiring story or just want to be taken away into another world, this mesmerizing novel will captivate your imagination and take your breath away!

My Experience for When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Lloyd Kaufman

I never thought I’d be able to find the answer to an age-old question: what happens When You Trap a Tiger?

Growing up, my Korean grandmother told me stories of mythical creatures living in the forests. Tales of magical tigers with mystical powers captivated me and I wished I could meet one.

Little did I know that when I moved to my new home, I would discover a secret: there was a real tiger living in the woods! At first, I was scared, but then I realized this was my chance to finally meet a magical creature.

So I decided to trap the tiger. With help from my friends and family, we worked together to build the perfect trap. We used Tae Keller’s book, When You Trap a Tiger, as our guide. It showed us how to create a safe environment for the tiger and even taught us special techniques for handling it properly.

Finally, after many hours of hard work, we succeeded! We had caught the tiger! To our surprise, it was friendly and gentle. We learned that it wasn’t a wild beast, but rather an old friend who had been searching for someone like us all along.

My grandmother always said that anything is possible if you just believe. Thanks to Tae Keller’s book, When You Trap a Tiger, now I know she was right!

 

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages
1. Some readers may find the language too simple for their tastes.
2. The ending of the story may be disappointing to some readers.
3. The pacing of the novel is slow in some sections.
4. The book may be difficult for younger readers to understand.
5. The characters are not developed deeply enough.
6. Some readers may find the plot to be predictable.

How to Find Hope in Difficult Times with When You Trap a Tiger

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is an inspiring story of hope, resilience and courage. It is the perfect book for anyone looking for uplifting stories when going through difficult times. The protagonist, Lily, is faced with a multitude of challenges, but her determination and strong will help her to overcome them all. Through Lily’s journey, readers can gain insight into how they can find hope in their own lives during trying times.

In this book, readers learn how to keep faith, even when life seems hopeless. Lily discovers that if you focus on the small things that make life special, it can be enough to carry you through even the darkest moments. She also learns how to find strength within yourself, allowing you to take on any challenge that comes your way. Finally, she discovers how to never give up, no matter what obstacles are in front of her.

When You Trap a Tiger is an uplifting story filled with lessons on finding hope in difficult times. Its empowering message is sure to stay with many readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Questions about When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

 

What is When You Trap a Tiger About?

When You Trap a Tiger is an inspiring and magical middle grade novel about the power of stories, family, friendship and Korean folklore. Twelve-year-old Korean American Lily faces difficult life choices when her mother falls ill and she must choose between keeping a secret that could help heal her mother or staying true to herself.

What Ages is When You Trap a Tiger Recommended For?

When You Trap a Tiger is recommended for ages 8-12. It was written by Tae Keller, who won the 2020 Newbery Medal for excellence in children’s literature.

Does When You Trap a Tiger Feature Korean Folklore?

Yes! When You Trap a Tiger features Korean folklore, as well as themes such as family, friendship and resilience. Through her storytelling, Lily discovers how stories can be used to understand the world around her and make sense of difficult situations.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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