Lily's Crossing

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reilly Giff, Patricia. 1997. Lily’s Crossing. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0440414539

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This is the story of a girl named Lily who has a major character flaw; she likes to tell lies.  She spends each summer in Rockaway on the Atlantic ocean with her grandmother and father. The summer of 1944 is no different until her best friend moves away to a town with a wartime factory and her father is sent to fight in World War II. Lily is lonely but is introduced to a boy named Albert, a Hungarian refugee living with another family in town. A friendship eventually forms between the two, but Lily tells a big lie that prompts Albert to risk his life in order to return to his sister who was left behind during his escape from Europe.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lily’s Crossing begins by focusing on the character development of the protagonist, Lily. I will admit to not liking her right away, which hindered my progression in the book. The lies she tells seem very far fetched, and I wondered why anyone would believe her, much less be her friend. This character flaw, however, is the basis for the plot development and her eventual change.

The setting of Rockaway is beautifully portrayed throughout the book and is based on the author’s memories of visiting there during her childhood. The historical accuracy of the steamer ships heading to Europe, the rationing and lack of supplies, and the fears of war, including a local boy missing in action, come through in the voice of a frightened child who misses her best friend and her father.

As the story develops, Lily and Albert are forced to deal with some rather adult situations related to the war that children today would find rather foreign. At times, these characters behave in a very grown up manner, considering the effects and consequences of their actions, and other times like the impulsive children that they are. The short chapters and dialogue should make this an easy read, but younger readers without some background knowledge of World War II may have trouble filling in the blanks of history and connecting with the text. Overall, the resolution and redemption of Lily made this a great book. I am glad I didn’t give up on it half way through, or I would have missed a beautiful story of friendship and hope.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1997 BOSTON GLOBE - HORN BOOK HONOR BOOK

1998 NEWBERY HONOR BOOK

ALA Notable Book

From Kirkus: “Much of the plot, characters, and premise is conventional, but Giff …really pulls readers' heartstrings with Albert's memories of his family, the loss of Margaret's well-liked brother in the war, and Lily's joyful reunion with Poppy. Pull out the hankies for the final scene… It's a strong ending to a deftly told story.”

From School Library Journal: “The developing friendship between Lily and Albert… will grab readers' attention and sustain it to book's end. Despite convenient plot twists to reach a happy ending, Giff's well-drawn, believable characters and vivid prose style make this an excellent choice.”

From Booklist: “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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other World War II books to read such as:

•                      Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. ISBN 0547577095

•                      Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. ISBN 9780385751063

Gather other Patricia Reilly Giff books to read such as:

•                     Nory Ryan’s Song. ISBN 0440418291

•                     Maggie’s Door. ISBN 0440415810

•                     Willow Run. ISBN 0440238013

•                     Water Street. ISBN 9780440419211

Use as a guidance lesson on friendship or honesty.

Use with a history unit on World War II. Include the events of the war but also the effects on other countries and sacrifices that were made by families.