Flying The Dragon
Written by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
Flying the Dragon tells the story of two cousins in alternating chapters. American-born Skye is a good student and a star soccer player who never really gives any thought to the fact that her father is Japanese. Her cousin, Hiroshi, lives in Japan, and never really gives a thought to his uncle’s family living in the U.S. Their lives are thrown together when Hiroshi’s family, with his grandfather (who is also his best friend), have to move to the U.S. suddenly. Skye resents that she is now “not Japanese enough,” and yet the friends she’s known forever abruptly realize she is “other.” Hiroshi has a hard time adjusting to life in a new culture, and resents Skye’s intrusions on his time with Grandfather. Through all of this is woven Hiroshi’s expertise, and Skye’s growing interest in, kite making and competitive kite flying, culminating in a contest at the annual Washington Cherry Blossom Festival.

Primary ISBN: 9781580894340
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Chapter Book, Age 09 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American, Japanese/Japanese American
Themes: Family Relationship: Grandparents, Generation: 1st, Multiracial Identity
Setting: Japan, United States
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Immigrant, 1st Generation
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