Flying the Dragon, Paperback

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."