Lily's Tiger: Cultural Insights & Perspectives

2021 When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

• Lily, Sam, and their mother travel from California to see their dying grandmother, Halmoni, in Sunbeam, Washington.
• Halmoni is a tiny Korean woman who maintains her cultural connections.
• Lily sees a tiger but no one else believes her except Halmoni, who warns Lily to be wary of the tiger.
• The tiger tells Lily that Halmoni stole the tiger’s stories and if Lily returns them, Halmoni will get better.
• Lily attempts to "trap" the tiger in Halmoni's basement and the library, seeking to protect her grandmother.
• Lily carries "star jars" containing the stolen stories. During meetings with the tiger, a story is released from the jar and Lily learns about a girl who was both a tiger and a mortal.
• Lily and Ricky, who loves comic books, become friends, and he helps her create a trap for the tiger.

2020 New Kid by Jerry Craft

• Jordan Banks, a young boy who loves drawing cartoons, is sent to Riverdale Academy Day School (RAD), a prestigious school.
• Jordan is a Black student in a majority white school and experiences racism from bullies like Andy.
• Jordan's father, Chuck, supports his artistic pursuits while his mother, Ellice, pushes for academic achievement.
• Jordan befriends Liam, from an affluent family, Drew from a disadvantaged background, and Alexandra who uses a hand puppet to deal with her burn scar.
• Jordan's neighborhood friend, Kirk, reconnects him with Washington Heights community.
• Colin, another student at RAD, is expelled for going on vacation with Andy, who is a financial aid recipient.
• Andy's bullying escalates after Colin's expulsion.
• Jordan intervenes when Andy shoves Drew, leading to an incident that tests the school's disciplinary policies.
• Jordan's sketchbook, revealing his frustrations, is discovered by Ms.Rawle, his homeroom teacher, who criticizes his artistic expression.
• Jordan finds encouragement from an art teacher, Ms.Slate.
• Alexandra overcomes her insecurity by sharing her scar story with Ashley.
• Jordan demonstrates his growing confidence at the end of the school year by participating in his class’s yearbook signing and arriving to school without his jacket.
• New Kid is the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal.
• Jordan is a seventh grader in the book.
• The companion novel to New Kid is Class Act, focusing on Drew in the eighth grade.

2016 Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

• CJ and his grandmother ride the bus every Sunday to a soup kitchen after church.
• CJ questions his grandmother about their economic situation and everyday life.
• The passengers CJ encounters on the bus "5 Market Street" provide answers to his questions.
• A blind man with a service dog tells CJ to close his eyes and imagine the music played by a guitar player on the bus.

2015 The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

• The story is narrated by Josh Bell, a seventh grader who excels at basketball with his twin brother Jordan.
• Their father, Charles "Chuck" Bell, is a former professional basketball player whose career was cut short due to injury.
• Their mother, Dr. Crystal Stanley-Bell, is the assistant principal at Reggie Lewis Junior High.

2019 The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

• The Vanderbeekers, a family of five, face eviction from their Harlem apartment building because of a new landlord.
• The family participates in a community fundraiser to prove their worth in the neighborhood.
• The family’s pet, a rabbit named “The Great" Sebastian, plays a significant role in their story.
• The Vanderbeekers seek help from a friendly neighbor, Mr. Olivetti.
• The story emphasizes the importance of community and family values.

2018 The Book With No Pictures ( also 2018 Caldecott Medal) by B.J. Novak

• The main characters are a fictional boy named “B.J.” Novak and his sister who do not have a book to read to them.
• B.J. asks his parents what words are and what a book is.
• The book contains no words or text only illustrations and the reader must use their imagination to fill in the story and the words of the book.

2017 The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (also 2017 Caldecott Honor Book, 2017 Coretta Scott King

Book Award)

• The story is about a young girl who is afraid to say “I begin” to her classmates and her teacher.
• Throughout the course of the school day, she hears stories and observations which encourage her to feel confident to say “I begin.”
• She has to learn to value herself and her uniqueness and to “begin” to find her place in the world.

2014 The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (also 2014 Newbery Medal)

• Ivan is a gorilla living in a mall.
• Ivan is portrayed as a gentle and intelligent animal.
• The story highlights the issues of animal captivity and the plight of Ivan as a captive animal.

2014 The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (also 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

• The story focuses on Ada, a young girl who lives with her mother and brother during World War II.
• Ada has a clubfoot due to the war’s trauma.
• Ada's parents are unable to care for her properly.
• Ada’s brother is sent to the countryside during the war.
• Ada’s mom is called away by her work during the war.
• Ada is sent to the countryside to live with a foster family.

2013 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

• The story involves hobbit Bilbo Baggins who embarks on an adventure with a group of dwarfs.
• The adventure takes place in a fantasy world with a diverse group of creatures, including elves, dwarves, hobbits, and goblins.
• The book features a variety of fantasy themes and elements, including magic, dragons, and ancient treasures.
• The story is told as a classic hero's journey, with Bilbo encountering numerous tests and challenges during the adventure.

2013 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

• The story follows the protagonist, Junior, a Native American boy who leaves his poverty-stricken reservation to attend an all-white school.
• Junior, who is also known as Arnold Spirit, confronts poverty, racism, and cultural identity.
• Junior faces challenges and triumphs as he pursues his dream of education and a better future.

2012 Wonder by R.J. Palacio (also 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

• The story is narrated from the perspective of Auggie Pullman who begins middle school for the first time.
• Auggie was born with a facial difference and is often bullied at school.
• Wonder highlights the importance of acceptance, empathy, and kindness in dealing with differences.

2011 The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

• This is the story of Bob a chimpanzee with a personality that is both stubborn and affectionate.
• Bob lives in a zoo and encounters a variety of humans and animals.
• Bob experiences both joy and sadness.
• Bob faces challenges in his life that are both physical and emotional.

2010 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

• The Hunger Games is a fictional dystopian novel.
• The story centers on Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in a televised battle to the death.
• The book also explores themes of survival, rebellion, and the power of hope.

2010 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

• The story is about a boy named Nobody Owens who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard after being orphaned.
• The book features dark themes of death and loss.
• The story includes elements of horror and suspense.

2009 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

• The Help is a novel that follows the stories of three women in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s.
• The story is told from the perspective of Skeeter Phelan, a recent graduate who wants to become a writer.
• The novel deals with racism, sexism, and the civil rights movement in the south.

2009 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (also 2010 Newbery Medal)

• The story is about Hugo Cabret, an orphan in Paris who lives in a train station in the 1930s.
• Hugo discovers a broken automaton and is determined to repair it.
• Hugo's journey leads him to uncover his family’s secrets and to find his place in the world.

2008 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

• The story is narrated by Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy who has autism.
• Christopher is a highly intelligent but socially challenged.
• The book explores the world through the eyes of Christopher as he navigates his daily life and attempts to solve the murder of a dog.

2007 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

• The story follows two children, Leslie Burke and Jess Aarons, who create a fantastical world called Terabithia in the woods near their home in Virginia.
• The book explores themes of friendship, imagination, and loss.

2007 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (also 2004 Newbery Medal)

• The book tells the story of Despereaux Tilling, a courageous and kind-hearted mouse who loves books.
• Despereaux is a very different from other mice who are expected to live in the darkness.
• Despereaux is determined to find a lost princess, and he encounters dangers and friendships along the way.

2006 The American Girl: Felicity Merriman by by Pleasant Company

• The story features the character of Felicity Merriman, a young girl in Colonial Williamsburg in the 1770s.
• Felicity struggles with family and social issues, including the political unrest leading up to the American Revolution.
• The story explores the themes of family, friendship, and courage.

2005 The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

• The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series of fantasy novels about three siblings who discover a field guide to fairies.
• They encounter dangerous and magical creatures.
• The books feature themes of family, adventure, and the natural world.

2004 Holes by Louis Sachar (also 2000 Newbery Medal)

• Holes is a story about Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is sent to a detention camp for a crime he didn't commit.
• The camp is located in a desolate desert.
• Stanley and the other boys must dig holes all day.
• The book explores themes of justice, fate, and redemption.

2003 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (also 2001 Newbery Honor Book)

• Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of Opal Buloni, a girl who moves to a small town with her father.
• Opal goes to the local grocery store and finds a large, friendly dog.
• The story explores themes of loneliness, grief, and the power of friendship.

2002 The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

• Peter Rabbit is a mischievous rabbit who disobeys his mother's warnings and enters Mr. McGregor's garden.
• Peter Rabbit, who is almost caught by Mr. McGregor, narrowly escapes.
• The story is considered a classic children’s tale, and is often used to teach children about obedience and respect.

2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

• The story follows Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione encounter challenges and mysteries that include a stone that has the ability to grant immortality.
• The books have become a worldwide phenomenon, and they are still popular with readers of all ages.

2000 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

• The story focuses on two children, Leslie Burke and Jess Aarons, who create a fantastical world called Terabithia in the woods near their home in Virginia.
• The book explores themes of friendship, imagination, and loss.

2000 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

• This is a historical fiction story about a young girl named Annemarie Johansen in Denmark during World War II.
• Annemarie helps her Jewish friend, Ellen Rosen, escape to Sweden.
• The story was inspired by real events.

1999 The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

• The novel follows the Watson family as they travel from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama in the summer of 1963, during a period of great social and political upheaval.
• The story explores the themes of racism, family, and hope.

1998 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

• The novel is set in the Mississippi Delta during the 1930s.
• The story follows the Logan family as they struggle to survive in a world of racism and oppression.
• The book is considered a classic of American literature and has won numerous awards.

1997 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

• Mary Lennox, a young girl, is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in his Yorkshire manor.
• Mary discovers a secret garden on the manor grounds that has been locked up for years.
• She befriends the young gardener, Dickon, who helps her transform the garden.

1996 The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

• The novel is set in Cuba and features an elderly fisherman named Santiago who is determined to catch a large marlin.
• The story explores themes of courage, perseverance, and the relationship between humans and nature.

1995 The Giver by Lois Lowry

• The novel follows Jonas, a young boy.
• Jonas lives in a seemingly utopian society, but it is a community where everyone is assigned roles and emotions are suppressed.
• Jonas discovers the truth about his society and embarks on a journey to change it.

1994 The BFG by Roald Dahl

• The story centers on an orphan girl named Sophie who is befriended by a friendly giant named the BFG, who is a “Big Friendly Giant.”
• The BFG lives in Giant Country, a world populated by giants who are all nasty except the BFG.
• The book explores themes of friendship, imagination, and courage.

1993 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

• The book is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Narnia series.
• The story follows Lucy Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, and their cousin, Eustace, as they sail to Narnia with Caspian, the King of Narnia.
• The children embark on a dangerous journey to find the seven lost lords of Narnia.

1992 Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

• Shiloh is the story of a young boy named Marty who finds an abandoned dog in the woods.
• Marty befriends Shiloh but must keep him hidden from his abusive father.
• The novel explores themes of animal cruelty and the bond between humans and animals.

1991 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

• The story follows Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee, a young boy who is a talented runner and a gifted storyteller.
• Maniac runs away from his home and travels to a small town where he finds a warm, supportive community.
• The novel tackles themes of racism, prejudice, and the power of hope.

1990 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

• This is a collection of humorous stories about the students and teachers of Wayside School.
• The school is a giant, thirty-story building in which the classrooms are all out of order.
• The book explores themes of friendship, imagination, and the challenges of growing up.

1989 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s story that follows a caterpillar during its life cycle.
• The caterpillar eats a multitude of foods until he is finally ready to become a butterfly.
• The story inspires a sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world.

1988 The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

• Ferdinand is a bull who is different from other bulls.
• Ferdinand prefers to smell the flowers and sit in the sunshine rather than to fight.
• The story provides a different perspective and advocates for individual expression.

1987 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

• This story features a tree who loves a boy who is her best friend.
• The tree provides the boy with love, shelter, and her leaves.
• The story teaches the reader about unconditional love, generosity, and the passage of time.

1986 Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

• Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of whimsical poems about a variety of topics.
• The poems are full of imagination and humor.
• They encourage silliness, creativity, and a sense of wonder.

1984 Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

• Stellaluna is a bat who is separated from her mother when she is young.
• She ends up in a bird's nest where the baby birds are looking for food.
• Stellaluna must learn to adapt to her new environment and to overcome her differences.

1983 The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

• The Paper Bag Princess is a feminist children’s story about a princess who rescues a prince from a dragon.
• The princess is intelligent, resilient, and ultimately saves the prince.
• The story challenges traditional gender roles and emphasizes the importance of feminist values, such as self-reliance and independence.

1982 Corduroy by Don Freeman

• Corduroy is a teddy bear who is missing a button.
• He is looking for a new button, but he meets a little girl who wants him as a friend.
• The book is about friendship and the importance of accepting others.

1981 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

• The story follows Gilly Hopkins, an orphan who is placed in foster care.
• Gilly is a challenging child but she struggles to feel loved and accepted by foster families.
• The book explores themes of family, resilience, and the importance of love and acceptance.

1980 The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

• The Boxcar Children are four siblings who are living in a boxcar after running away from home.
• The children are resourceful and independent and they must learn to overcome their hardships.
• The story explores themes of family, resourcefulness, and resilience.

Test your knowledge of the significant events and cultural elements in the story of Lily and her tiger. This quiz explores character motivations and narrative perspectives, emphasizing the rich cultural backdrop. Dive deeper into the themes and messages conveyed in this compelling tale.