Book Review For:
Giff,
Patricia Reilly. 1997. LILY’S CROSSING. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN
9780385321426
9780385321426
Lily
is a headstrong, realistic young girl who sometimes fibs, doesn’t get good
grades, and will do whatever she can to avoid practicing the piano. During the
summer on the coast of New York, Lily, her friends, family, and neighbors try
to live somewhat normal lives while worrying about loved ones that are carried
off to war, dealing with separation from them, and wondering what the future
will bring. When Lily’s own father goes overseas to fight during WWII, her
growing friendship with Albert, a Hungarian refugee, helps her to cope, learn
about the devastating effects that fibs can have, and experience a true,
lasting friendship.
The
author includes details like how the headlights of vehicles were painted over
the top half with black paint so that enemy planes couldn’t view them from
overhead and how fresh dairy products were hard to come by. Albert’s speech is
stilted authentically, like a typical English Second Language learner’s would
be, and Lily teases him about how he pronounces “barnacles”. All these things
make this a realistic, enjoyable story that children can comprehend.
After
reading this story with children, an educator could segue into studying the
WWII requirements for U.S. citizens living on the coasts and the reasons behind
them, invite a guest speaker to come discuss what it was like for them to live
on the U.S. coast during this time, or compare Lily’s feelings with those of
today’s children who have a family member stationed in the Middle East.
LILY’S
CROSSING is a 1998 Newbery Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and a Boston
Globe-Horn Book Honor Book (“Lily’s Crossing: Praise & Awards”, n.d.).
Also, the Horn Book Magazine states, "Details...are
woven with great effect into a realistic story," and the New York Times
Book Review claims it is “Brilliantly told (“Lily’s Crossing: Praise
& Awards”, n.d.).”
References
“Lily’s
Crossing: Praise & Awards.” Random House, Accessed November 12, 2013,
giff#praise&awards
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