Chapter Book Evaluative Comment

By Leah Davis
Makes History Come Alive
In Lilys Crossing, Patricia Reilly Giff uses several short scenes to make the historical
period of World War II come alive. In one scene, the main character, Lily, and her best
friend, Margaret, are scolded by Margarets mother for eating the rations of chocolate and
candy that she has searched for and saved for months in order to send to Margarets brother,
Eddie, away at war (p. 20). Giff includes this short scene in order to illustrate the shortage of
specialty goods that most Americans experienced during the war, since money was instead
used to support soldiers. In addition, Lily later complains about the Spam that her
grandmother packs in her lunch, huffing, After the war were never going to have one can
of Spam again! (p. 88). This scene shows how people had to use substitutes for the goods
they had enjoyed before the war. Both of these scenes convince us of the reality of daily life
during World War II.
Not Sugar-Coated
Giff accurately portrays World War II without sugar-coating the events. For
example, Giff explains that European families risked their lives by standing up to the Nazis
by using the story of Lilys neighbor, Albert. Albert describes how his parents were killed for
writing a newspaper that warned people about Nazi action, and how he had to flee Hungary
to survive (p. 89). In this anecdote, Giff could have chosen to write a happy ending with the
whole family escaping safely, but she chose to present the reality that many families did die
during World War II. Furthermore, readers learn the truth when Poppy explains the
situation to Lily: People are being killed just for disagreeing with the Nazis, or being

Jewishtheres been nothing but destruction in this war, families separated, villages ruined,
cathedrals bombed (p. 33). This dialogue reveals that these events actually happened,
instead of avoiding the terrible truth. Although the facts about refugees and murders are
unpleasant, Giff uses them to teach readers about the reality of World War II.
Reveals History through the Eyes of a Young Protagonist
Giff shows us history through a 10-year-old girls eyes in order to allow young
readers to experience history through someone who experiences life in a similar way. First,
the departure of Lilys father displays that many men were required to fight in the war.
When Poppy tells Lily that he has to serve in the military, she thinks of excuses to stop him
from leaving, such as, Whos going to take care of me? and What will Gram say and
Itll take forever [to end the war] (p. 33). In sympathizing with Lilys attempts to stop her
father from leaving, readers learn how families were torn apart during World War II. Lilys
viewpoint also allows readers to see how the war was the main focus of everyones lives,
even in America. For example, when Lily hears news about the invasion of France on the
radio, she muses, Is that all anyone [thinks] aboutnews and the war? (p. 36). This
attitude from the young protagonist helps young readers imagine what it would be like to
constantly talk and hear about the war, reminding them that World War II had a worldwide
impact.
Good Balance of Historical Details and Plot
Although many events of the war action in 1944 could be described in detail in this
novel, Giff ensures that Lilys Crossing is more of a story than a textbook. Through Lilys
commentary about news on the radio, Giff shows us war action instead of telling us too many
distracting details. For example, Lily hears that ten thousand have been killed in the

invasion of France, and she worries about her friends brother, Eddie, who is fighting in
the war (p. 108). This radio announcement, though it is a specific statistical fact, does not
give too much historical detail and it ties in with the plot of the story. Then, at the end of the
summer when Paris is liberated by the Americans, Lily and Albert go to the movie theater
to watch a video of the French celebrating their freedom. Although there is opportunity for
Giff to describe exactly how the liberation happened, Giff avoids giving too much historical
detail and instead focuses on what it means for Lily and Albertthat their families will be
reunited. Therefore, in order to balance history with the plot, Giff uses the personal stories
of her characters and leaves out technical details.