When You Trap a Tiger
by Tae Keller
by Tae Keller
2021 Newbury Award Winner & APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature Winner
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Copyright: January 28th, 2020
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Reader
Grade level: 3-7
Reading age: 9-11 years
Summary:
Would you make a deal with a magical tiger?
This story follows Lily, a Korean-American girl who moves with her family to her Halmoni's house in a small town in Washington. Lily's Halmoni is a source of mystery and magic, and when Lily encounters a talking tiger in the woods, she realizes there's more to her grandmother's stories than she ever imagined.
As Lily delves deeper into her Halmoni's past, she uncovers family secrets, struggles with her own identity, and learns about the importance of courage, forgiveness, and the bonds that tie generations together. Alongside her sister and new friend Ricky, Lily embarks on a journey to confront the tiger and unravel the truth behind its presence.
Korean culture Beliefs Fairytales Myths Friendship
Illness Determination Misconceptions Storytelling
Mischievous
Tae Keller makes the news & discusses her inspiration for "When You Trap a Tiger."
Book review by 5th grade teacher Colby Sharp.
Listen to author Tae Keller give a special message!
ELA Standard: CCCS RL 5.2. - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
ELA Standard: W.5.3- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud
Halmoni: Korean for "grandmother."
Folktale: A kind of story that gets passed on from generation to generation.
Kosa: A Korean tradition; lay food out for the ones who’ve gone before.
Hallucinations: An experience of seeing or feeling something that isn’t really happening
Prognosis: the likely path or future of a disease
Consequences: a result or effect of an action or condition.
Ae-Cha: Korean for "loving daughter."
Mischievous: Behavior that is able or tending to cause annoyance, trouble, or minor injury.
Before Reading:
Begin by engaging students in a discussion with the following questions:
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Do you have a grandparent or someone like a grandparent in your life? How did you develop this relationship, and what are some special moments or interests you share?
Do you know of any folktales? Are there any that are your favorite? Why?
Students should then predict what they believe the book will be about based off a brief visual scan of the book-title, book cover, book jacket, scanning through the pictures. Conjugate a list of all the students answers on the white board and/or Prowise smartboard.
During Reading:
Story mapping is a powerful reading strategy that helps us understand and remember stories better. Imagine it like creating a map for a journey through a book. First, it is important to identify the main elements of the story: the characters, the setting, and the plot. Then, chart out the sequence of events, like landmarks along our journey. Next, connect these events, showing how they lead from one to another. As you create your story map, you are not just retelling the story; you are also thinking about why things happen and how they connect. This helps us see the big picture and understand the story more deeply.
After Reading:
Exit tickets play an important role in elementary education by providing students with an opportunity to reflect on their learning. These slips have students articulate what they have learned, express any confusion or questions they may have, and showcase their understanding of the material. By collecting exit tickets, teachers gain insight into each student's comprehension level, enabling them to adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.
Being a storyteller is like being a magician with words! It's all about using your imagination to create amazing worlds and characters. To be a great storyteller, you need to let your creativity soar and paint pictures with your words. Practice telling stories to your friends and family, and don't be afraid to be silly or dramatic. Remember, the best storytellers are those who can make people laugh, cry, and dream all at the same time. So grab a pen, let your imagination run wild, and get ready to take your listeners on incredible adventures!
"Roars to life with just a touch of magic.” —Kirkus Reviews
“It’s a complex, satisfying story, one that foregrounds family and healing alongside a love for Korean folklore.” —The Bulletin
"An intoxicating mix of folktale, fantasy, friendship and love (and tigers!). Through a series of challenges--and also a lot of laughter--Lily (a.k.a. Lily Bean, Eggi, Little Egg) finds out what she is made of. She is a character who'll stay with me--and whom I already miss!" —Marie Myung-Ok Lee, author of Finding My Voice and Somebody's Daughter