When You Trap a Tiger
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“When You Trap a Tiger” by Tae Keller is a middle-grade magical realism novel that won the 2021 Newbery Medal. The story centers on Lily, an eleven-year-old Korean American girl who moves with her family to live with her ailing grandmother, Halmoni. Upon their arrival, Lily begins seeing a magical tiger from her grandmother's Korean folktales, which no one else can see. The tiger claims Halmoni stole its stories long ago and offers a deal: return the stolen stories in exchange for Halmoni's health. Lily embarks on a quest to save her grandmother, navigating family relationships, grief, cultural identity, and the power of storytelling. The book explores themes of loss, healing, and finding one's voice, blending elements of fantasy with a realistic portrayal of a family coping with illness and intergenerational trauma. It is targeted at a middle-grade audience, generally recommended for ages 8-12.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The book includes a minor, implied same-sex romantic relationship involving Lily's older teenage sister, Sam, and her friend Jensen, which is revealed towards the end of the narrative. Additionally, there is a subtle comment about gender identity made by the magical tiger. Some Christian parent reviews have expressed concern about the inclusion of this content in a middle-grade book.
Lily's older sister, Sam, develops a romantic relationship with a teen girl named Jensen. Lily realizes they are a couple after observing them become "huggingly close" or "snuggle" near the end of the book. This relationship is noted by some reviewers as being 'thrown in there' or a 'PC surprise' for a young middle-grade audience. Furthermore, the magical tiger makes a comment about gender when Lily assumes it is male, stating: "Typical. You hear one story about a male tiger and think we're all the same? Humans are the worst."
Witchcraft & Occult
A significant element of the book is magical realism, which is deeply rooted in Korean folklore and traditional beliefs. This includes a talking magical tiger, the concept of 'story magic,' and references to a 'sky god,' along with traditional Korean spiritual practices.
Anti-Christian Themes
The book incorporates Korean folklore and spiritual practices that are distinct from Christian beliefs, including a 'sky god,' 'spirits and ancestors,' and 'story magic.' While the book itself does not actively denigrate Christianity, a character expresses doubt about God, and some Christian parents have voiced concern regarding the overall spiritual worldview presented, especially alongside other content.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Recommended for ages 10-14 (Grades 5-8). While official ratings suggest ages 8-12, the complex themes of terminal illness, death, grieving, supernatural deals, and the inclusion of a same-sex relationship in the narrative make it more suitable for slightly older middle-grade readers who can process these mature subjects. Parental guidance is strongly recommended for discussions around cultural differences, spiritual beliefs, and LGBTQ representation.
Good to Know
The book is rich in Korean culture and explores complex themes of grief, family, and identity through the lens of magical realism. Parents should be prepared to discuss the portrayal of death and dying, the cultural spiritual beliefs presented, and the implied LGBTQ relationship with their children, aligning the content with their family's values and understanding.
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