Kira-Kira Reading Comprehension Questions
by Cynthia Kadohata
Book Summary
Kira-Kira tells the story of Katie Takeshima, a Japanese-American girl growing up in the 1950s and 60s. The narrative follows her family's move from Iowa to rural Georgia, where her parents work long hours in a chicken processing plant. The central focus is Katie's deep bond with her older sister, Lynn, who teaches her to find the 'kira-kira' (glittering) in everyday life. As Lynn falls ill with lymphoma, Katie struggles to understand and cope with her sister's declining health and eventual death. The book explores themes of family love, grief, resilience, and finding beauty amidst hardship, all through Katie's innocent yet profound perspective.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 19 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Kira-Kira.
1.What Japanese word did Lynn teach Katie, and what does it mean?
2.Where did the Takeshima family move from and to, and for what reason?
3.Why do you think Lynn consistently encouraged Katie to find 'kira-kira' in their surroundings, even during difficult times?
4.How did Katie's understanding of Lynn's illness likely change from the initial symptoms to the diagnosis of lymphoma?
5.Based on the family's move and parents' work, what can you infer about the economic situation of Japanese-American families like the Takeshimas during that time?
6.When Sammy was born, what contrasting emotions might Katie have experienced given Lynn's declining health?
7.What is a central theme about family love and support portrayed in 'Kira-Kira'?
8.How does the concept of 'kira-kira' contribute to a major theme of the book?
9.What overarching lesson does Katie learn by the end of the story regarding loss and memory?
10.Compare Katie's initial understanding of her family's move to Georgia with her perspective after Lynn's death. How did her understanding of their life change?
11.How did the birth of Sammy, Katie's younger brother, serve as a moment of both contrast and continuity for the Takeshima family?
12.Consider the parents' decision to move to Georgia for work. How does this decision reflect their priorities and sacrifices?
13.What does the word 'profound' mean in the context of Katie's sadness after Lynn's death?
14.If someone is described as having 'unwavering' love for their family, what does that imply about their feelings?
15.The family showed great 'resilience' in the face of their difficulties. What does 'resilience' mean in this sentence?
16.What does it mean if a house has a 'melancholy' air after a sad event?
17.The Takeshima family faced subtle discrimination in Georgia. How might experiencing discrimination, even if not overt, affect a family's sense of belonging and well-being?
18.Lynn taught Katie to find 'kira-kira' in everyday things. What are some 'kira-kira' moments or objects you have noticed in your own life recently, and how did they make you feel?
19.The Takeshima family faced immense grief after Lynn's death. What are some different ways people might cope with grief, and how did Katie and her parents seem to cope in the story?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Kira-Kira to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Kira-Kira with children.
What was your favorite part of Kira-Kira? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Kira-Kira, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Kira-Kira make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Kira-Kira to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Cynthia Kadohata wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Kira-Kira?
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 5.1. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Kira-Kira?
ReadBuddy provides 19 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Kira-Kira, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Kira-Kira for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
Want your child to try the full quiz?
Just download the free app.
Scan a book cover
any book covers
Answer fun questions
with instant feedback
Watch reading grow
scores and streaks
ReadBuddy.ai
