Flying the Dragon

NY Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

A young American girl grapples with her Japanese heritage in this "quiet, beautifully moving portrayal of a multicultural family" for middle grade readers (School Library Journal)

American-born Skye is a good student and a star soccer player who never really gives any thought to the fact that her father is Japanese. Her cousin, Hiroshi, lives in Japan, and never really gives a thought to his uncle's family living in the United States.

Skye and Hiroshi's lives are thrown together when Hiroshi's family, with his grandfather (who is also his best friend), suddenly moves to the U.S. Now Skye doesn't know who she is anymore: at school she's suddenly too Japanese, but at home she's not Japanese enough. Hiroshi has a hard time adjusting to life in a new culture, and resents Skye's intrusions on his time with Grandfather. Through all of this is woven Hiroshi's expertise, and Skye's growing interest in, kite making and competitive rokkaku kite flying.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Published: 07/01/2012
ISBN: 9781580894340
Pages: 240
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.90d
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Alternate
Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Nominee

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2012
Publishers Weekly 06/04/2012 pg. 51
School Library Journal 10/01/2012 pg. 141
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2013 pg. 77 - Recommended, Satisfactory

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 152671 / Flying the Dragon
Reading Level: 4.1 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 8