Lily's Crossing facts for kids
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| Author | Patricia Reilly Giff |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic fiction |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
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Publication date
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1997 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 9780385321426 |
Lily's Crossing is a popular book for young adults. It was written by American author Patricia Reilly Giff and came out in 1997. The book won a special award called the Newbery Honor in 1998. It tells the story of two children, Lily and Albert, who learn to help each other during a difficult summer.
Contents
The Story of Lily and Albert
Lily's Crossing takes place in the United States during the 1940s. This was a time when World War II was happening in Europe. The story focuses on two young people, Lily and Albert. They both face sad times and must learn to support each other.
Lily's Summer in Far Rockaway
Lily lives in St. Albans, Queens with her father and grandmother. Her mother passed away when Lily was very young. Every summer, Lily and her father, who she calls Poppy, visit her grandmother, Gram. They stay at Gram's house in Far Rockaway, right by the Atlantic Ocean. Lily loves these trips. It's a chance to relax and explore far from her usual home.
Lily usually spends her summer days with her friend, Margaret. They enjoy talking and watching movies together. But Lily feels she has a problem: she often tells lies. It has become a habit for her, and she sometimes finds it fun.
Changes and New Friends
This particular summer, in 1944, is different. World War II is affecting everyone. Lily's father, Poppy, has to go overseas to fight in the war. Also, her friend Margaret is moving to Detroit with her family. Margaret's father will work on planes there. Lily suddenly needs to find a new friend.
She meets a boy named Albert Orban. At first, Lily follows Albert around, which makes him uncomfortable. But soon, things happen that bring them together as friends. Albert is a refugee from Hungary. This means he had to leave his home to escape danger. He escaped from the Nazis, who were a very bad group during the war. Albert dreams of finding his family again one day. He isn't interested in making new friends.
Helping Each Other Through Hard Times
While Poppy is away, Gram worries a lot about him. She can't contact him, and Lily starts to see the war in a new way. Lily becomes a strong support for Albert. He is alone and his family is far away. Lily wants to help him feel better. She takes him on new adventures. Albert even learns to swim, which helps him trust Lily more.
Albert slowly starts to tell Lily about his life in Hungary. Lily notices his voice sounds restless when he talks about it. Albert has a sister named Ruth. He is desperate to find her. Ruth was left behind because she had measles and couldn't escape with him. Albert is even willing to risk his life to find her.
Important Lessons and Friendships
The book explores several important ideas. It shows how people deal with challenges and how friendships can help.
Learning to Be Honest
Lily often struggles with telling the truth. Her habit of lying causes problems in her life. This is a big challenge for her to overcome.
Family and Support
Lily's father and grandmother are her only close family. They are a huge part of her life. When her father leaves for the war, Lily's world changes completely. Albert, on the other hand, was separated from his family because of the war. He became an orphan, meaning he lost his parents. He mentions that his parents died because they wrote things against Hitler and the Nazis.
The Power of Friendship
Another important idea is how Lily and Albert become friends. They are very different, but they help each other through a tough time. At first, Albert didn't want to be friends with Lily. He resisted talking to her. But their friendship grew strong. They learned to trust each other. Albert feels bad that he escaped the Nazis without his family. His only family left is his sister, Ruth. Lily also struggles with her father being away at war. She talks about him often with Albert. Margaret's brother is also missing during the war. Lily worries about him, knowing many soldiers have died.
Awards and Recognition
Lily's Crossing has received several awards for its powerful story:
- Newbery Medal Honor Book in 1998.
- ALA Notable Children's Book in 1998.
- A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.
- 1999 – Arkansas Charlie May Simon Master List.
- 1999 – Kentucky Bluegrass Master List.
- 1998 – Maine Student Book Master List.
- 1999 – Massachusetts Children's Book Master List.
