The Art of Keeping Cool facts for kids
| Author | Janet Taylor Lisle |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | World War II |
| Genre | Children's Literature Historical Fiction |
| Set in | Sachem's Head, RI in 1942 |
| Publisher | Atheneum Books for Young Readers |
|
Publication date
|
October 2000 |
| Pages | 207 |
| Awards |
|
The Art of Keeping Cool is an exciting historical novel for young readers. It was written by Janet Taylor Lisle and came out in October 2000. The book tells a story set during World War II.
Contents
About the Book's Creation
Janet Taylor Lisle, the author, found inspiration from three main things when writing The Art of Keeping Cool. She was very interested in her father's time as a pilot during the war. He flew for the Royal Air Force.
She also thought about how the U.S. army used to occupy her hometown during World War II. Finally, she considered the big impact of the war on people's lives and cultures. These ideas helped her create the story.
Story Summary: Robert's Journey
The Art of Keeping Cool explores what it was like to be a kid during World War II. The story takes place in 1942. It follows a thirteen-year-old boy named Robert.
Robert's New Home
Robert's father has been away for over six months. He is serving in Europe with the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Robert and his family moved. They left their farm in Ohio. They went to live with his father's parents in Rhode Island.
This new living situation feels very strange to Robert. He has never met his grandparents before. He also doesn't know his cousin Elliot, who lives there too.
Uncovering Family Secrets
Robert finds it even stranger that his mother and other family members never talk about his father. Robert feels he must find out why his family acts so oddly. He wants to understand their unspoken rules.
He gets help from his cousin Elliot. They also meet an artist named Abel Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman is a German painter who had to leave his home country. With their help, Robert starts to learn about his father's family's past.
Elliot soon begins visiting Abel Hoffman's house. He goes there to practice sketching and drawing.
Awards and Recognition
The Art of Keeping Cool has won several important awards. These awards show how much people liked the book.
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, winner, 2001
- Riverbank Review Book of Distinction, winner, 2001
- ALA Notable Children's Book
- Horn Book Fanfare
- Junior Library Guild Selection
- Scholastic Book Club Selection
