Angela Kato is not a happy 12 year-old at the moment. Her parent's marriage is breaking up and she is being sent to her maternal grandparent’s home for the summer. Angela wants to spend the summer with her friends skateboarding. But in the Kato family there is no monku-no whining or complaining. Angela is convinced she will die of boredom in her grandparent’s small house. But her grandparents and Aunt Janet do not allow her to be bored because they have decided to put her to work. Angela will work in her grandparent’s flower shop creating origami "1001 crane" displays for newlyweds. Resentful at first, Angela comes to find comfort and confidence in her folding techniques. As her skills grow, so do her relationships with family and friends.
This is a lovely, well-written story about a girl entering adolescents amid family conflict Learning about her family's history and culture, Angela comes to understand herself and those around her better. I recommend this book highly, especially for those that ever wished or prayed “to be the glue that fastens . . . parents together again.”
Grades 4-7