Why read When You Trap a Tiger?

Book cover of When You Trap a Tiger

Book description

WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
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…

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Mythology

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Why read it?

2 authors picked When You Trap a Tiger as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Loriel Ryon

Author

Reality and magic interweave with Korean folklore in this intergenerational family story that I couldn’t stop listening to. This deeply emotional story about a young girl trying to save her dying grandmother was captivating and magical.

Lily drew me in right away with her desperation, and the magical tiger didn’t let me leave. It was tense all the way to the end where I was left more heartbroken than I was prepared for. This is a story I’ll never forget and always recommend!

From Loriel's list on The best magical middle grade books that will shatter your heart and then stitch it back together.

Christina Matula

Author

This was a touching book about a mixed Korean girl who tries to help her sick grandmother, Halmoni, get better through the power of stories. With a bit of magical realism and Korean folklore brought to life, Lily finds her own voice (so she is no longer what she describes as a “QAG – quiet Asian girl”) and begins to understand her own ancestry. Like Lily, I found a connection to my heritage via stories and folklore.

From Christina's list on The best middle-grade books featuring Asian-American/Canadian kids by Asian-American/Canadian authors.