When You Trap A Tiger: A Review

Tae Keller, whose latest book “When You Trap a Tiger” received the 2021 Newberry Award Honor, narrates how Lily learns to deal with her beloved grandma, Halmoni, being sick and eventually passing away. She also learns to find her voice and her self as she struggles to “save” her enigmatic Halmoni. She breaks stereotypes and learns to be brave to face the “tiger” who seems to have her Halmoni’s fate in her claws.

The way Keller presents the struggle and eventual acceptance of an inevitable death of a loved one was woven seamlessly into the storytelling and interaction between the characters. Keller’s use of Korean-inspired myths helped lighten the oft-heavy topic throughout the storyline. It provided the slow build-up leading to Halmoni’s death which allows young readers to join in the journey of acceptance and embrace all the feelings that go with it.

The book also helps readers understand how perspectives may change from within and from without. Lily’s eyes were opened to how others perceived her beloved Halmoni, both the good and the not-so-good. This then brought out something in her which she (and others around her) never thought she had in her. It was an awakening of the tiger within her, a tiger she never thought could exist harmoniously with “invisible” girl or the QAG (Quiet Asian Girl). But instead, she learns to embrace all of her and possibly the other sides of her that she has yet to discover.

“I think that’s how you figure out who you are,” Ricky says. “You do new, brave things, and you find out who you is in not-you situations…”

“When You Trap A Tiger” by Tae Keller

The book was well-written and the stories well-told. However, let me share with you this conversation I had with a public school librarian who has a copy of the same book in her library (paraphrased dialogue):

Me: So I finished reading the book last night, and I really liked the author’s writing. Have you read the book?

Media Specialist: I did not get to finish it.

Me: Just so you know, in case it is brought to your attention by a student or parent, there is a part in the book on adolescent same-sex relationship.

Media Specialist: Good! There should be more of these things. I don’t care about it as much because same-sex marriage has now been legalized.

Me: Ummm… oh-kay… but I just wanted to let you know, just in case…

Media Specialist: I am ready with the correct forms to fill out should that happen. These things should be normalized anyway.

And, I will leave it at that.