When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - OPTIONAL

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, 297 pages. Random House, 2020.  $17.  Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In the summer between sixth and seventh grade, Lily and her mom and sister move to live with their ailing grandmother, Halmoni.  Lily loves Halmoni and all of her stories, so when a tiger from one of Halmoni’s stories shows up, and only Lily can see it, Lily has to figure out what the tiger wants.  Lily learns that the tiger has come for Lily’s Halmoni, who is dying of brain cancer.  Lily learns to find her own strength and take all of the things that her grandmother has taught her and be her true self.  

I loved Halmoni and was rutting for Lily throughout the story.  I loved the ending and the last fifty pages almost redeem the slow beginning.  Overall, the book felt slow and the mystical mixed with reality without clear boundaries, so that might confuse some readers.  I loved the author’s note at the end and I really wanted to love the story more.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson