Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff

Lily’s Crossing By Patricia Reilly Giff

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Giff, P., 1997, LILY’S CROSSING, Delacorte Press, New York, ISBN 0385321422

PLOT SUMMARY
Lily’s Crossing takes place during the struggles of the summer of 1944. World War II has changed every one and everyone’s way of life including that of main character Lily. Lily, who is expecting her usual relaxed summer vacation in Rockaway, New York, finds herself alone and in despair as her father ships off to France to fight the war and whose best friend is forced to move out of town.  Lily befriends an unlikely boy named Albert who has moved from Hungary to Rockaway to live with his grandmother after losing his family during the war.  As the story unfolds, Lily’s perpetual lying catches up with her when a lie jeopardies her friend Albert’s life.  It is at this point, Lily’s Crossing that Lily learns a lot about family, honesty and accountability for one’s actions.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Patricia Reilly Giff tells a magnificent story that is relaxed, captivating and even humorous intertwined with the serious elements of war and loss.  Giff’s ability to capture the small town setting and historical elements of coastal New York, along with realistic characters that are both strong yet insecure, cultivate a novel which leaves the reader longing for more.  The details of the 1940’s are accurate and Giff’s “real life” stories and experiences create a tale that is more realistic and genuine.

Lily’s Crossing is a beautifully written story that touches on many human issues while exploring the struggles and heartaches of WW II in an age appropriate style. The historical events and coastal setting are authentic and well documented. Lily’s Crossing is engaging and upbeat with subject matter and life issues that kids in grades 4-6 should find both intriguing and enlightening.
(Historical fiction, grades 4-6)
 
REVIEW EXCERPTS--The Horn Book Magazine, starred review, "Details...are woven with great effect into a realistic story."
--Publishers Weekly, “Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line...this has all the ingredients that best reward readers."
--The New York Times Book Review, "Brilliantly told."
--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."

AWARDS
American Library Association Notable Children’s Books
Boston Globe- Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature Honor Book
1998John Newbery Medal Honor Book
Jefferson Cup Award Honor Book

CONNECTIONS
Language Arts
Pre-Reading Activity:  What is D-Day?  Have students research D-Day.  Have them look up articles from Newspapers and Magazines that covered this historical event.
Creative Writing
Lily has a wonderful imagination.  Have student’s journal while reading the novel incorporating their own imaginative tell with them as the main character.
Thematic Units
Friendship
Why are Lily and Albert friends?  How is it that this unlikely couple becomes so close?  Write a letter to a distant relative or friend and describe your best friend that lives here in town.
Honesty
Have the students list each lie Lily tells throughout the book.  Have the students discuss the final lie that helps Lily understand the importance of honesty.
Family
Have students discuss what makes up a family.  Have students discuss the different types of families and how Lily and Albert’s families are different and similar.
Social Studies/Arts
Encourage students to use reference sources and a map of Europe to trace the invasion of France by the Allies.
Discuss how the US military rationed supplies.  Have students research what supplies were rationed and for how long.

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
WILLOW RUN, Giff, P., 2005, ISBN 0440238013
NUMBER THE STARS Lowry, L., 1998, ISBN 0440227533
DEAR MISS BREED Oppenheim, J., 2006, ISBN 0439569927
DON’T YOU KNOW THERE’S A WAR ON? AVI, 2003, ISBN 0380815449
MERCEDES AND THE CHOCOLATE PILOT Raven, M., 2002, ISBN 9781585360697
JOURNEY, McLachlan, P., 1993, ISBN, 0385304277
STARRING SALLY J. FREEDMAN AS HERSELF, Blume J., 2000, 0440482534