Lily's Crossing

Lily’s Crossing

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Lily’s Crossing. New York, NY: Yearling Newbery, 1997. ISBN 9780440414537

Summary:

Imagine a life where major change is constant and everything you know is quickly altered. This is Lily’s story – her mother passed away when she was young, war has caused her to move alone with her grandmother to her family’s summer home, her best friend has moved thousands of miles away, war has called her father overseas, and an interesting, suspicious refugee has moved in next door. Although Lily’s life seems traumatic, Albert – the Hungarian refugee – has experienced things Lily can’t even imagine. Quickly, the two youth form a special bond over a kitten, music and swimming; however, Lily’s lies may catch up with her and cost her - her new friend, Albert.

Analysis:

Giff has the amazing ability to take a tale and make the reader feel as if they are sitting right alongside the characters on the beach, hiding out in the vacant home, or traveling into town together. Her words carry the reader seamlessly though the novel and paint a vivid historical picture of a story that takes place in 1944 America during World War II.

Patricia Reilly Giff creates a setting where the reader can imagine the ships traveling across the channel to Europe and where the reader can feel the tension, relief, and sand in their eyes as the trainer naval plane zooms low over the water. All of her vivid details help recreate the setting, time, and feeling of WWII.  This is true of Giff’s plot structure as well. The idea of families moving away because of wartime opportunities or parents being deployed or called overseas to serve their country is all very believable. Albert’s sister was left behind in France because of illness, which was also a common occurrence for families during the World Wars. Family separation is a critical aspect in this novel.

Lily and Albert are both very believable characters that readers are able to easily connect to and empathize with during this dangerous and unnerving summer. Lily is likeable and struggles like many young children to tell the truth. She finds adventure in her stories, but also learns the real danger of a lie. Albert is quiet, lonely, and withdrawn – all believable characteristics of a refugee. Giff’s characters are easy to identify with and realistic. Patricia Reilly Giff incorporates accurate dialect and dialogue to help the reader “hear” the characters. The character development and setting details help make this a believable piece of historical fiction.

The title Lily’s Crossing implies the theme of this book, and it is one that the reader must infer from Lily’s actions and growth as a character throughout the book. There is a lot of literal crossing that occurs for many of the characters in Giff’s novel; however, Lily’s “crossing” is more figurative in terms of growth from a silly, playful girl to a thoughtful, truthful young lady. This transition is very believable and fits with the idea that many young children had to grow up quickly during the time of war.

Lily’s Crossing is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that allows the reader to be fully submerged in wartime America. It’s a book I couldn’t put down until finished, and one I am eager to share with my fellow readers!

Awards and Review Excerpts:

- 1998 Newbery Honor Book

- Boston-Globe Horn Book Honor Book

- ALA Notable Children’s Book

From The Horn Book Magazine: "Details...are woven with great effect into a realistic story."

From Publishers Weekly: "Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line...this has all the ingredients that best reward readers."

From The New York Times Book Review: "Brilliantly told."

From Booklist: "With wry comedy and intense feeling...Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II...The friendship story is beautifully drawn."

From Kirkus Reviews: “[A] deftly told story.”

From School Library Journal: “Giff’s well-drawn, believable characters and vivid prose style make this an excellent choice.”

Connections:

Share Patricia Reilly Giff’s letter to the reader at the conclusion of the novel. This helps add some important background knowledge and offers insight to Giff’s purpose.

Collect and share other works by Patricia Reilly Giff, such as:

- Pictures of Hollis Woods ISBN 9780440415787

- Nory Ryan’s Song ISBN 9780440418290

- Maggie’s Door ISBN 9780440415817

- A House of Tailors ISBN 9780440238003

Collect and share other pieces of historical fiction connected to World War II, including:

- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry ISBN 9780547577098

- The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ISBN 9780385751537

- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak ISBN 9780375842207

Build background knowledge about World War II through various media, such as video clips, radio recordings, photographs, historical documents, and nonfiction works, including:

- World War II: An Interactive History Adventure by Elizabeth Raum ISBN 9781429634571

- World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by Richard Panchyk ISBN

  9781556524554

- Why Did the Whole World Go to War?: And Other Questions About … World War II by

  Martin Sandler ISBN 9781402790447

Locate and note all of the major locations mentioned in the novel on a map for student reference. Include areas such as, Rockaway Beach in New York, Detroit, France, Germany, and Hungary. GoogleEarth would be a helpful tool to travel across the world, too.

Discuss the significance of the stars – both in the novel, human history, and in our solar system.

Music is an important element in this story. Share some of the musical pieces mentioned in the novel, such as:

-  “The Blue Danube”

- “Mairzy Doats”

- “Swinging on a Star”

- “God Bless America” sung by Kate Smith – Listen here Kate Smith - "God Bless America"

Listen to excerpts from the radio shows of the times, such as Lux Radio Theatre and Portia Faces Life. Here are archived recordings from Lux Radio Theatre in 1944 - Lux Radio Theatre 1944

Share Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff (ISBN 9780440238010) the companion novel to Lily’s Crossing.

*image borrowed from www.barnesandnoble.com

Destiny is in the stars…

~ Mandy J