When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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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
WINNER OF THE ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
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. Think Walk Two Moons meets Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!
"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 (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence is depicted in the book. The narrative focuses on family dynamics and personal growth rather than physical conflict or aggression. No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The story involves magical realism but does not include elements that would cause fear or distress.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have violence?
No violence is depicted in the book. The narrative focuses on family dynamics and personal growth rather than physical conflict or aggression.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The story involves magical realism but does not include elements that would cause fear or distress.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. While the story touches on themes of family and culture, it does not explicitly include religious practices or beliefs.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have racial/cultural content?
The book features a Korean American protagonist and incorporates elements of Korean folklore, which are central to the narrative. This cultural representation is significant in shaping the story's themes and character experiences.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have profanity?
No profanity is present in the book. The language used is appropriate for the target age group.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have climate change?
No climate themes are present in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and familial themes rather than environmental issues.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have sexual identity?
No explicit sexual content in the book. The reference to the sister's same-sex relationship is not sexual in nature and does not play a central role in the story.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have gender roles?
The book explores themes of family dynamics and includes a passing reference to feminism, particularly in the context of the female characters' experiences and relationships. However, the discussion of gender roles is not deeply explored.
Does When You Trap a Tiger (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) have lgbtq+ themes?
The book includes a reference to the older sister's same-sex relationship, which is mentioned in a way that some readers felt was not integral to the main story. This inclusion has sparked discussions about its relevance and representation.
