Lily's Crossing

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reilly Giff, P.1999. Lily’s Crossing. Bantam Doubleday Dell. ISBN-10: 0440414539

PLOT SUMMARY

Reilly Giff’s Lily’s Crossing, is a historical fiction of turmoil, hope, and perseverance. The unexpected friendship between two young children during WWII in Rockaway, makes for a fresh, enlightening, and adventurous story. Main character, Lily, and Hungarian refugee, Albert, become best friends through all odds. The story is based in the 1940’s when the world was at war and people of all ages suffered the loss of loved ones, or awaited in desperation for the war to be over and have their family members safely back home. Lily is a spontaneous, energetic young girl with a major flaw; she can’t stop her lies. Albert is hopeful to see his sister in Europe, that he is willing to swim across the Atlantic Ocean with Lily’s help. Lily’s lies get her into unlikely situations, but one of her worst lies nearly gets Albert killed. In the end Lily realizes her lies won’t make her world perfect, and vows to never lie again. Her father returns from the war safe and sound, and Albert is reunited with his sister. The power of friendship, the story’s theme, is greatly emphasized throughout the story to serve as a reminder of hope through the worst of times.

John Newbery Medal 1998

ALA Notable Children’s Books 1998

Arkansas Charlie May Simon Master List 1999

Audie Awards 1999

Kentucky Bluegrass Master List 1999

Maine Student Book Master List 1998

Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award Nominee 2000

Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award Nominee 2000

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lily’s Crossing, is a historical fiction that takes place in the United States in Rockaway. The story’s setting is meant to be summer’s paradise for the main character, Lily. A house by the beach, her best friend Margaret, and her father’s companionship is the long-awaited treat for Lily. As the story moves along, we can envision the setting as a beautiful scene, yet, it has been invaded by war ships, aircrafts, and WWII posters and reminders in every corner. This juxtaposition, serves as a reminder of WWII and the turmoil it caused in many people’s lives, especially children. The author’s character development greatly impacts this historical fiction’s overall plot and theme. Giff takes us into the world of a young daydreamer whose summer turns into an unexpected twist of events. The author creates characters that young readers will connect to in a deeper level. Both Lily and Albert have suffered the loss of parents at a young age, and both are anxious about their loved ones overseas. Even though Lily and Albert have been raised in completely different worlds, their fears, dreams, and hopes help them build a lasting friendship that lives on for more than an unexpected summer.

EXCERPTS

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Lily learns her lesson in a resolution that feels psychologically true. In the background, characters cope with wartime shortages, stumble into tragedy as sons and brothers fall in battle-in short, lead complicated lives with the hope of redemption. Closely observed, quickly paced and warmly told, this has all the ingredients that best reward readers.” (1997)

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Much of the plot, characters, and premise is conventional, but Giff (Shark in School, 1994, etc.) 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, in which Lily returns to Rockaway the following summer to find Albert--and Ruth--waiting for her. It's a strong ending to a deftly told story.” (1997)

CONNECTIONS

Classroom Activity: Social Studies/History- Have students create a timeline of important events of WWII.

Classroom Activity: ELA/Reading/Writing- Have students create a foldable booklet, and complete a plot for Lily’s Crossing. Students will write an exposition, turning point, denouement, theme and summary based on the historical fiction.

Library Activity: Display historical fiction books to entice students to read more.

·         Bruchac, J. 2006. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. Speak. ISBN-10: 0142405965.

·         Boyne, J. 2007. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. David Fickling Books. ISBN-10: 0385751532.

·         Strauss, L. 2013. A Piece of Blue String: a young German girl's diary during WW2. La Plume Press. ISBN-10: 1927547164.