BIBLIOGRAPHY
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Lily's Crossing. New York: Delacorte Press, 1997.
ISBN: 0385321422
PLOT SUMMARY
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff was about a girl named Lily who went to Rockaway Beach, New York every summer with her family. Only the summer of 1944 was different, because World War II had changed everything. Lily's best friend moved away, so her father could work in a factory, and Lily's own father was sent off to war. As the story unfolded, there was only one other person her age living in Rockaway, and they became friends. Through the course of their friendship, they rescued a kitten and discovered they had both told lies that could potentially harm those around them. They also learned about the importance of saying goodbye to loved ones, so they wouldn't have any regrets in the future.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Throughout the reading of this novel, readers didn't question the believability or the authenticity of the characters. All the main characters had problems that everyday people deal with, such as having family members going off to war or dealing with changes, but the characters continued their journeys in growing up. Readers were able to follow and believe the plot was accurate, because the author provided just enough historical detail without overwhelming them, and the author also wrote a letter to her readers at the end of the book to add to her credibility about the things that happened in the story. For instance, the setting took place in 1944 in the town of Rockaway Beach, which is an actual place. In this town, the war was talked about and people were constantly aware of it, but it didn't interfere with their daily lives too much. Instead, this story focused on Lily and her ability to make friends with Albert and her life while she was in Rockaway Beach for the summer.
One of the major themes in this novel involved the importance of friendship. Lily's friendship with Albert helped her not be lonely, but also helped her to focus on someone else besides her, which was a great lesson for readers. Another theme was on the importance of telling the truth, which was an important lesson for children of all ages to learn. Lily and Albert each had to learn about the dangers of lying and were changed because of their experiences. In the end, all of these elements worked together to capture the style of the novel. The style reflected the author's voice and manner about life during World War II, magnified her views to the readers about the importance of friendship and telling the truth, even when it's tough.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Hazel Rochman (Booklist, February 1, 1997 (Vol. 93, No. 11))
With wry comedy and intense feeling, and without intrusive historical detail, Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II. Lily makes up stories about her involvement with spies, submarines, and anti-Nazi plots in her small seaside town in 1944, but underlying her melodrama and lies is grief for her dead mother. When Lily's father has to leave to fight in France, she is so hurt and furious that she refuses even to say good-bye to him. As she gets to know Albert, an orphaned Hungarian refugee, she learns about his secret anguish: he is guilt-stricken about the younger sister he left behind (he, also, didn't say good-bye), and he is determined,
With wry comedy and intense feeling, and without intrusive historical detail, Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II. Lily makes up stories about her involvement with spies, submarines, and anti-Nazi plots in her small seaside town in 1944, but underlying her melodrama and lies is grief for her dead mother. When Lily's father has to leave to fight in France, she is so hurt and furious that she refuses even to say good-bye to him. As she gets to know Albert, an orphaned Hungarian refugee, she learns about his secret anguish: he is guilt-stricken about the younger sister he left behind (he, also, didn't say good-bye), and he is determined,
somehow, to cross the ocean and find her. The happy ending, when Lily's father finds Albert's sister in France, is too contrived, but the reunion scenes at home are heartbreaking. The friendship story is beautifully drawn: both Lily and Albert are wary, reluctant, and needy; they quarrel as much as they bond, and in the end, they help each other to be brave. Category: Middle Readers. 1997, Delacorte, $14.95. Gr. 5-8.
Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Set during WW II, Lily's life with her beloved Poppy is disrupted when he is sent overseas. Lily, left with her grandmother, meets a Hungarian refugee named Albert. He too is suffering a separation from his loved ones. Gradually they become friends and eventually Lily, who has encouraged Albert in his scheme to return to Europe, realizes the danger. The story has a happy ending and Lily comes to understand herself and Albert. The story is filled with believable characters and historical details that make it real and relevant. Newbery Honor book. 1997, Delacorte, $14.95. Ages 8 up.
Set during WW II, Lily's life with her beloved Poppy is disrupted when he is sent overseas. Lily, left with her grandmother, meets a Hungarian refugee named Albert. He too is suffering a separation from his loved ones. Gradually they become friends and eventually Lily, who has encouraged Albert in his scheme to return to Europe, realizes the danger. The story has a happy ending and Lily comes to understand herself and Albert. The story is filled with believable characters and historical details that make it real and relevant. Newbery Honor book. 1997, Delacorte, $14.95. Ages 8 up.
Jan Lieberman (Children's Literature)
Lily, 10, spins yarns or what some might label "lies." It's her way of protecting herself. But during that summer of 1944 at Rockaway Beach, her favorite place, nothing is the same. She is so angry at her father who is going overseas that she refuses to say goodbye. Her best friend has moved away and to make matters worse, her grandmother introduces her to a refugee boy from Hungary. At first she is rude to him, but later they rescue and care for a kitten. Each child tells stories, but the tale Lily tells puts Albert in danger. This story is engrossing as Lily crosses over from self-absorption to being empathetic. 1997, Delacorte, $14.95. Ages 9 to 11.
Lily, 10, spins yarns or what some might label "lies." It's her way of protecting herself. But during that summer of 1944 at Rockaway Beach, her favorite place, nothing is the same. She is so angry at her father who is going overseas that she refuses to say goodbye. Her best friend has moved away and to make matters worse, her grandmother introduces her to a refugee boy from Hungary. At first she is rude to him, but later they rescue and care for a kitten. Each child tells stories, but the tale Lily tells puts Albert in danger. This story is engrossing as Lily crosses over from self-absorption to being empathetic. 1997, Delacorte, $14.95. Ages 9 to 11.
*Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for PreK-Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English
*Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education
*Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson
*Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson
*Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson
*Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson
*Notable Children's Books, 1998; ALSC American Library Association
*Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education
*Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson
*Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson
*Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson
*Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson
*Notable Children's Books, 1998; ALSC American Library Association
*Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1997 Honor *Book Fiction and Poetry United States
*Winner Best Bet to Win Newbery Medal United States
*Jefferson Cup Award, 1998 Honor Book United States
*John Newbery Medal, 1998 Honor Book United States
*M. Jerry Weiss Book Award, 2000 Winner Grades 4-6 New Jersey
*Winner Best Bet to Win Newbery Medal United States
*Jefferson Cup Award, 1998 Honor Book United States
*John Newbery Medal, 1998 Honor Book United States
*M. Jerry Weiss Book Award, 2000 Winner Grades 4-6 New Jersey
CONNECTIONS
*Identify and research with students information about World War II
*Discuss and define the different vocabulary words from the novel
*Write about the important role of friends and family to Lily, Albert, and Margaret in the novel
*Compare and contrast the friendships Lily has with Albert and Margaret
*Other books about World War II:
Burg, Ann. Rebekkah's Journey: A World War II Refugee Story (Tales of Young Americans) ISBN 9781585362752
War II. ISBN available 1423100085
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