Opportunity clashes with tradition in a lively novel set in 15th century Korea. Brothers Young-sup and Kee-sup are occasionally prickly toward one another, but for the most part theirs is a warm and loving relationship. Kee-sup is skilled with his hands and has a talent for kite-making. Young-sup has no patience for the detail work of making a kite, but he is a wonder at flying them. When the young king spots the brothers flying one of Kee-sup’s kites, he asks Kee-sup to make a kite for him. Then he asks Young-sup, with whom he begins a friendship, to fly the dazzling new kite in the annual New Year’s kite competition. But the boys’ father believes that such an honor should go to the eldest son. Already feeling like an invisible second son, Young-sup cannot see beyond his own hurt and anger until Kee-sup reveals his own unhappiness at the role tradition holds for him and bravely challenges their father on Young-sup’s behalf. A buoyant story told in Young-sup’s voice and enriched with cultural detail and appealing, well-rounded characters builds to an exciting and satisfying conclusion as the kite competition plays out on the page. (Ages 8-11)

A tale of two brothers in fifteenth-century Korea from theNewbery Medal winner and #1 New York Times–bestselling author of A Long Walk to Water.

In this riveting novel, two brothers discover a shared passion for kites. Kee-sup can craft a kite unequaled in strength and beauty, but his younger brother, Young-sup, can fly a kite as if he controlled the wind itself. It’s like the kite is part of him—the part that wants to fly.

Their combined skills attract the notice of Korea’s young king, who chooses Young-sup to fly the royal kite in the New Year kite-flying competition—an honor that is also an awesome responsibility. Although tradition decrees, and the boys’ father insists, that the older brother represent the family, both brothers know that this time the family’s honor is best left in Young-sup’s hands. But how do you stand up to the way things have always been?

This touching and suspenseful historical novel from the author of A Single Shard, filled with the authentic detail and flavor of traditional Korean kite fighting, brings a remarkable setting vividly to life.

“The final contest . . . is riveting. Though the story is set in medieval times, the brothers have many of the same issues facing siblings today.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Readers will enjoy watching these engaging characters find ways of overcoming webs of social and cultural constraints to achieve a common goal, and the author expresses the pleasures of creating and flying kites—‘A few sticks, a little paper, some string. And the wind. Kite magic’—with contagious enthusiasm.” —Kirkus Reviews