ISBN: 0-385-32142-2
Summary:
Lily Mollahan, a young girl gifted with a silver tongue looks forward to an exciting summer at her family's beach house in Rockaway on the Atlantic Ocean. The summer quickly turns dismal as World War II destroys Lily's plans, forcing her best friend to move away and her father to be shipped off overseas to help rebuild a war-torn country. Always fearing for her father's safety, Lily is distracted when Albert, a Hungarian refugee comes to visit "family". Their friendship blooms as they learn each other's secrets and as they learn more about themselves.
Analysis:
Lily is introduced as a "last-row, last-seat kid in school with terrible marks in everything" who "told lies every other minute" (pg. 18). The reader automatically finds Lily to be a real character, with a genuine imagination as well as genuine concerns and fears. Her family situation is relatable, being raised by a single parent with help from grandparents, trying to find her own voice.
Author, Patricia Reilly Giff's writing style is easy to read and could easily be read aloud, leading listeners through Lily's adventures, as she learns how to deal with loss and her eyes are opened to other people's thoughts, reactions and feelings. The coming-of-age theme is timeless but finds a comfortable spot with Lily during her 1944 summer in Rockaway. Readers are drawn into Lily's lively, sometimes embarassing struggle with maturity through Patricia Reilly Giff's memories of her own summers at Rockaway Beach watching steam ships head out of port destined for Europe, for war.
Reviews:
"Details . . . are woven with great effect into a realistic story of ordinary people who must cope with events beyond their comprehension." --Starred, The Horn Book Magazine (from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/patriciareillygiff/books.htm)
"Set during World War II, this tenderly written story tells of the war's impact on two children, one an American and one a Hungarian refugee. Giff's well-drawn, believable characters and vivid prose style make this an excellent choice." --School Library Journal (from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/patriciareillygiff/books.htm)
Awards:
Newbery Honor Winner
ALA Notable Book
"Boston Globe-Horn Book" Honor Book
Connections:
- Research Rockaway Beach and the steam ships that took soldiers overseas; map/chart the journey
- Start a journal like Lily, describing your thoughts, feelings and events that happen in your life
- Group discussion about saying goodbye: how it feels, personal experiences and connections with the text
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