Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira-Kira

Kadohata, Cynthina. Kira-Kira. Atheneum, 2004 [0-689-85639-3]It is a the last 1950s and a Japanese-American family is struggling to survive in Georgia. The two parents work in a chicken processing plant. The older girl in the family gets ill about a third of the way through this 243 page book and begins to slowly die. This is the story of a family hanging together, dealing with an ill child and eventually her death. It is a touching story told with warm language. [This is the 2005 Newbery Medal winner]