The Kite Fighters
Opportunity clashes with tradition in a lively novel set in 15th century Korea. Brothers Young-sup and Kee-sup are occasionally prickly toward one another, but for the most part theirs is a warm and loving relationship. Kee-sup is skilled with his hands and has a talent for kite-making. Young-sup has no patience for the detail work of making a kite, but he is a wonder at flying them. When the young king spots the brothers flying one of Kee-sup's kites, he asks Kee-sup to make a kite for him. Then he asks Young-sup, with whom he begins a friendship, to fly the dazzling new kite in the annual New Year's kite competition. But the boys' father believes that such an honor should go to the eldest son. Already feeling like an invisible second son, Young-sup cannot see beyond his own hurt and anger until Kee-sup reveals his own unhappiness at the role tradition holds for him and bravely challenges their father on Young-sup's behalf. A buoyant story told in Young-sup's voice and enriched with cultural detail and appealing, well-rounded characters builds to an exciting and satisfying conclusion as the kite competition plays out on the page. ©2000 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-11
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
15th Century
Brothers
Competitions and Contests
Difference/Individuality
Fathers
Feelings/Emotions
Historical Fiction
Koreans and Korean Americans
Traditions
World History
Diversity subject:
Asian
Publisher:
Clarion
Publish Year: 2000
Pages: 136
ISBN: 0395940419
CCBC Location: Fiction, Park