Lily's Crossing

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 1997. LILY’S CROSSING. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0-385-32142-2

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

 Lily’s Crossing is the story of one young girl’s struggle to deal with the turmoil of World War II on the homefront. Her best friend has moved away, and her father is overseas, fighting. She meets Albert, a young refugee from Hungary, and they form a bond over the rescue of a kitten. Their friendship is threatened, however, when the lies they’ve told puts Albert’s life in danger.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

When World War II is mentioned, what automatically comes to mind? Hitler, Nazis, Jewish people, and concentration camps, no doubt. But what about what was happening here in the United States at the time? Giff’s tale of a young girl’s struggle with the war introduces us to another perspective and reminds us that wars happen to children, too. Her writing style is comfortable and makes the characters seem like they could jump right off the page.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1998 Newbery Honor Book

American Library Association Notable Book

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

Review in BOOKLIST: “With wry humor and intense feeling…Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*What do the readers know offhand about World War II? Did the book offer any insight into what was happening here in the United States during the time of the war? What do the readers think of the ending—satisfying or too convenient?

*Other novels by this author:

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Eleven. ISBN 0440238021

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. ISBN 9780440415787

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Maggie’s Door. ISBN 0440415810