When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
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
Frequently asked questions
Is When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence is explicitly described in the search results. There are references to tense moments and a car crash, but these do not constitute violence in the narrative. The story contains some tense moments, including a small jump scare involving the magical tiger and references to a car crash that killed a father, which could be unsettling for younger readers.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have violence?
No violence is explicitly described in the search results. There are references to tense moments and a car crash, but these do not constitute violence in the narrative.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have scary content?
The story contains some tense moments, including a small jump scare involving the magical tiger and references to a car crash that killed a father, which could be unsettling for younger readers.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the narrative based on the search results.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have racial/cultural content?
The protagonist is an 8-year-old Korean American girl, and the story explores themes related to her cultural background and family history, making race a central element of the narrative.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have profanity?
No profanity is mentioned in the search results.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have climate change?
No climate themes are present in the narrative based on the search results.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is indicated in the search results. The narrative focuses on family and personal growth without sexual themes.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have gender roles?
The search results do not indicate any specific framing of gender roles within the narrative. The focus is on the protagonist's personal journey rather than traditional or modern gender roles.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Winner) have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative includes a brief mention of the protagonist's older sister and her best friend being possibly identified as lesbians, which appears to be a minor element in the story. This inclusion has been noted as feeling somewhat out of place and potentially added for political correctness.
