Lily’s Crossing

By Patricia Reilly Giff

Published by Bantam Doubleday Dell

Copyright 1997

Accelerated Reader: 4.6

Suggested Delivery: Guided Reading

MESMERIZING, STUNNING, BRAVE, AWE-INSPIRING, WARM

Lily, a twelve year old girl in the summer of 1944, has been told her father will be fighting in WWII overseas in France, leaving her at Rockaway Beach with her grandmother.  Margret, Lily’s best friend, also will be leaving due to the war.  When she felt completely alone, Lily became extremely close with a Hungarian refugee, Albert.  The story follows these two children through their emotional journey of missing their families overseas.  Struck by the idea to reunite with them, Lily and Albert venture off into the Atlantic Ocean where Albert is nearly killed.  After the traumatic adventure and Lily returning to school, she finds herself back at home where her father returns, Albert’s sister arrives and everyone finds themselves happier than ever. 

Rockaway Beach

This link provides additional information about Rockaway Beach in New York, where most of the book takes place.  Facts include the history, population and other statistics which are up to date.

Lily's Crossing Trailer

Here is the trailer to “Lily’s Crossing” the movie. 

WWII Facts

This link brings you to a site which retains all aspects of WWII in a kid friendly fashion.  Questions of when was the war, why did it happen, who was involved and others are all answered.  Links to war songs, pictures of weaponry, a timeline and even a look at the children’s lives during war help students have a better grasp on the era in the novel. 

VOCAB: Drone, Trespassing, Throttle, Insignia, Veered, Trestle, Pelting, Sloshing, Pact, Afghans

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book to build a bridge from language arts to social studies as you study WWII.

-Use this book to take a look at how society differs then and now, during war and not during war, Rockaway Beach vs. other areas, etc.

-Use this book to compare stories from WWII to stories from more recent wars such as The War on Iraq or 9/11.

Before:  Have students use the computer lab to research WWII.  Have them complete a questionnaire sheet with questions such as: When was WWII?  Who was involved in the battle?  What was the result?  What types of weaponry were used?  How many were killed?

During:  While reading the book, students will be asked to complete a journal.  They will complete this journal in the P.O.V. of a character.  Each entry does not require that the student uses the same character.  They will summarize what they have read through the eyes of Lily, Albert or any other person within the novel.  This will get the students to think deeper about what thoughts may be running through the minds of the people in the story.

After: Each student will get the opportunity to interview their classmates.  Students will circulate
around the room with questions they have prepraperd. Questions may include: Did you like the novel? What was your favorite part? What part did you like the least? 
After acquiring other student’s opinions, a fishbowl discussion will be held to further dialogue with the whole class.

Writing: Have students pretend they’re movie critics.  After watching the film Lily’s Crossing, have the children write a review of the movie and compare similarities and differences between it and the book.