When You Trap a Tiger
on Goodreads (19,119)
What’s inside...
When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger from her halmoni's Korean folktales appears, leading Lily to uncover a hidden family history. Long ago, Halmoni took something from the tigers, who now demand its return. Offered a deal by a tiger to retrieve the stolen item in exchange for her grandmother's health, Lily faces a difficult decision. With the support of her sister and new friend, Ricky, she must find her voice and the bravery to confront the tiger. This book has won the Newbery Medal and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature.
Age
9-11
Length
297 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Lily
Mom
Sam
Halmoni
Tiger
Discussion points
How do you think Lily felt when she met the tiger, and why do you think she felt that way?
What do you think the tiger symbolizes in the story?
Why is it important to share and preserve family stories like Lily’s grandmother did?
What did Lily learn about herself and her family by the end of the book?
How would you have handled the challenges Lily faced?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate Lily’s experiences to their own life by asking them about a time they faced a big challenge or had to be brave.
Discuss the Korean folklore within the book. This can be a great opportunity to explore and appreciate a different culture together.
Share a personal family story with your child, connecting it to the importance of family stories depicted in the book.
Use the imagery of the tiger and what it represents to have deeper conversations about fears and overcoming them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the unknown
Explanation: In 'When You Trap a Tiger,' the protagonist, Lily, confronts a magical tiger from her grandmother's Korean folktales. This act of bravery is a central theme as she navigates through the challenges it presents.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to face new challenges or changes in their lives, such as moving to a new school or standing up for themselves or others.
Example Lesson: The importance of storytelling and cultural heritage
Explanation: The book underscores the significance of stories passed down through generations in preserving cultural identity as Lily delves into her grandmother's tales.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and appreciate their own family histories and traditions, enhancing their understanding and respect for their cultural backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Dealing with illness and loss
Explanation: Lily's journey also explores how children cope with serious family illness and the possibility of loss as her grandmother battles sickness.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and process emotions related to the illness or loss of a loved one, providing them with emotional tools to deal with these challenges.
Example Lesson: The power of forgiveness and reconciliation
Explanation: Throughout the story, themes of forgiveness and reconciliation are vivid as Lily learns to forgive and understand her family's complicated history.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of forgiving others to mend relationships and build stronger connections within their families and communities.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Lily consistently showcases resilience and perseverance as she tackles the tasks set by the tiger and confronts truths about her family.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to persist in face of difficulties and continue working towards their goals, understanding that perseverance often leads to rewarding outcomes.