Kira-Kira

Author: Cynthia Kadohata

First line: My sister, Lynn, taught me my first word: kira-kira.

Why you should read this book: Third-generation Japanese-American Katie Takeshima loves nothing so much as she loves her wonderful, talented, creative, inspirational big sister, Lynn. Even the discrimination they face in their new home in the deep south can’t put a dent in Katie’s joy in the most important part of life, playing with Lynn and their baby brother Sammy, while their parents work long hours in various chicken-processing plants, so they can afford their very own home. And once they get their wonderful house, Lynn’s hospital bills mount, because Katie’s amazing, glittering sister is very, very sick, and it’s hard to imagine how average, uninspired Katie can ever hold things together without her.

Why you shouldn’t read this book: It’s very, very sad.