LILY’S CROSSING by Patricia Reilly Giff

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia. 1997. LILY’S CROSSING. Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0440414539

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Lily would spend her summers at her family’s summer house by the Atlantic Ocean in Rockaway; however, the summer of 1944 was much different.  World War II changed everyone’s life even Lily’s.  Her best friend moved away so her father could work in a wartime factory town, and even more devastating her father was headed overseas to war.  Lily meets a refugee from Hungary, Albert, which has a secret sewn in his coat.  Over time the two become friends both of which have secrets and both have told lies.  One of Lily’s lies could cost Albert his life.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Giff’s story of friendship will keep its young reader interested for hours.  With the story being of war and how it affects kids and their family’s readers will gain a deeper understanding of what families go through during this time.  Readers will get a true picture of what is like during this time through the descriptions of the setting.  The powerful themes of this story come out through the power of friendship.  The readers will also be able to relate to these characters and some parts of their lives.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*Starred review in THE HORN BOOK: “Details…are woven with great effect into a realistic story.”

*Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  “Giff’s well-drawn, believable characters and vivid prose style make this an excellent choice.”

* Booklist: “With wry comedy and intense felling…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.”

*Kirkus Review: “[A] deftly told story”

*Newbery Honor Book – 1998

*ALA Notable Children’s Book

*Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Pre-Reading Activity- Have the students research and find articles in news magazines about the 50^th anniversary celebration of D-Day.  The students will present their findings to the class especially any unusual facts or moving stories.

*Language Arts (writing)- Have the students write a journal entry from Lily’s perspective on the day her father leaves for war.

* Language Arts (reading)- Have the students compare and contrast the feelings of Lily, Margaret, and Albert as well as how each of the characters dealt with their feelings.

*Social Studies- Have the students research which supplies were rationed during this time and the impact it had on society.

* Future Reading:

-Maclachlan, Patricia. JOURNEY. ISBN 0385304277

-Lowry, Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. ISBN 0440227534

-Freedman, J. STARRING SALLY. ISBN 0440482534