Awards
2013 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Synopses & Reviews
There is bad luck, good luck, and making your own luck — which is exactly what Summer must do to save her family in this novel from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata.
Summer knows that "kouun" means "good luck" in Japanese, and this year her family has none of it. Just when she thinks nothing else can possibly go wrong, an emergency whisks her parents away to Japan — right before harvest season. Summer and her little brother, Jaz, are left in the care of their grandparents, who come out of retirement in order to harvest wheat and help pay the bills.
The thing about Obaachan and Jiichan is that they are old-fashioned and demanding, and between helping Obaachan cook for the workers, covering for her when her back pain worsens, and worrying about her lonely little brother, Summer just barely has time to notice the attentions of their boss's cute son. But notice she does, and what begins as a welcome distraction from the hard work soon turns into a mess of its own.
Having thoroughly disappointed her grandmother, Summer figures the bad luck must be finished — but then it gets worse. And when that happens, Summer has to figure out how to change it herself, even if it means further displeasing Obaachan. Because it might be the only way to save her family.
Cynthia Kadohata's ode to the breadbasket of America has received six starred reviews and was selected as a National Book Award Finalist.
Review
"Summer's voyage of self-discovery engages readers via her narration, her journal entries and diagrams, and even through her assigned book report of A Separate Peace. Readers who peel back the layers of obsessions and fears will find a character who is determined, compassionate and altogether delightful." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Synopsis
The winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata. There is bad luck, good luck, and making your own luck--which is exactly what Summer must do to save her family.
Summer knows that kouun means "good luck" in Japanese, and this year her family has none of it. Just when she thinks nothing else can possibly go wrong, an emergency whisks her parents away to Japan--right before harvest season. Summer and her little brother, Jaz, are left in the care of their grandparents, who come out of retirement in order to harvest wheat and help pay the bills.
The thing about Obaachan and Jiichan is that they are old-fashioned and demanding, and between helping Obaachan cook for the workers, covering for her when her back pain worsens, and worrying about her lonely little brother, Summer just barely has time to notice the attentions of their boss's cute son. But notice she does, and what begins as a welcome distraction from the hard work soon turns into a mess of its own.
Having thoroughly disappointed her grandmother, Summer figures the bad luck must be finished--but then it gets worse. And when that happens, Summer has to figure out how to change it herself, even if it means further displeasing Obaachan. Because it might be the only way to save her family.
Cynthia Kadohata's ode to the breadbasket of America has received six starred reviews and was selected as a National Book Award Finalist.
About the Author
Cynthia Kadohata is the author of the Newbery Medaland#8211;winning book andlt;iandgt;Kira-Kira, andlt;/iandgt;the Jane Addams Peace Award and Pen USA Award winner andlt;iandgt;Weedflowerandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Cracker!, Outside Beautyandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;A Million Shades of Grayandlt;/iandgt;, and several critically acclaimed adult novels, including andlt;iandgt;The Floating Worldandlt;/iandgt;. She has published numerous short stories in such literary journals as andlt;i andgt;Theandlt;/iandgt; andlt;iandgt;New Yorker, Ploughshares, Grand Streetandlt;/iandgt;, and the andlt;iandgt;Mississippi Reviewandlt;/iandgt;. She lives with her son and dog in West Covina, California.Julia Kuo is the creator of andlt;iandgt;20 Ways to Draw a Cat and 44 Other Awesome Animalsandlt;/iandgt; as well as the charming board book andlt;iandgt;Everyone Eatsandlt;/iandgt;. Julia also created the cover and interior artwork for Newbery Medal winning author Cynthia Kadohataand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;The Thing About Luckandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author Jenny Hanand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dreamandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in Chicago.