Customer Reviews

The Art of Keeping Cool (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's during World War II and Robert's father, Ken, has gone off to join the Royal Air Force of England. Robert and his family moved out to live with Grandpa, against Ken's wishes. Ken and Grandpa have never gotten along for some reason, and Robert is determined to find out why. Elliot and Robert join a German artist, turning the whole community against them, because of the fear that he may be spying for their enemy in war, Germany. Grandpa and Robert don't get along, and family tensions boil again as "civil war" breaks out with the next generation.
I loved this book because of the build up of character that Janet Taylor Lisle creates. Everyone is an individual. Grandpa is always angry. Grandma is always trying to protect people from Grandpa. Robert's mother is always quiet. Elliot is always drawing life in W.W.II. And father like son, Robert and his father always think things through and stand up to Grandpa. I would contrast Janet Taylor Lisle to Philip Pullman because they are the exact opposite. Pullman likes to write deep fantasy while Lisle likes to write shallow fantasy. Pullman writes about things that he imagined while Lisle writes about history.

It is the spring of 1942, a few months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
America is at war with the Germans, and the Japanese. Also known as World War Two. Robert, a thirteen-year-old boy that lives in Sachem's Head, Rhode Island has to live thought this amazing, and confusing experience called `WAR'.

Robert's amazing experience starts in the book "The Art Of Keeping Cool", By Janet Taylor Lisle. Robert is the main character of the book, with his cousin, Elliot at his side. Elliot is the kind of boy who is shy, and sits in the corner at dinnertime. He is not really notices by, but that doesn't stop him from drawing his amazing artwork, and seeing Abel Hoffman. Abel Hoffman is a German artist that lives in the woods of Sachem's Head. The whole town has turned their backs on him because he is German. People start to think he is a German spy, so they start terriorsing him, and soon it comes to the F.B.I searching his house. He didn't even do anything, but they have to be suspicious for their own safety. This is just one example of what war does to people.

Robert finds himself caught in the middle, when Elliot starts to go to Abel's house everyday. Should he cover up for his cousin? Tell his family?, or ignore him? This is only one of Robert's fears (or conflicts of the book) that he has to deal with including war, his hot-tempered grandpa, and discovering the family's secret.

If I could only tell you the ending, because it's so shocking and exciting, but your going to have to wait and see what happens with Elliot, and Abel. Does Robert come to find the family secret? Or will this war ever end?

I think that this book tells me, or teaches a lesson about life, that you have to learn to face your fears, and learn to trust people, like Abel. It also tells me when war comes, and your right in the middle of it; it can lead to many problems in the world, and questions. Like `why do we have wars?'

This book shows me that war affects people in their everyday lives. That's why you should read "The Art of Keeping Cool", By Janet Taylor Lisle.
I recommend this book to ages 12 and up, because it was kind of hard to understand at first.

This multi-layered novel blooms its many layers into your mind, with many questions. To get the answers you're going to have to read the book. This is a historical fiction you'll won't want to miss out on.

Lisle, J. T. (2000). The art of keeping cool. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis: In 1942, when Robert and his mother are forced to leave with his paternal grandfather in Rhode Island, Robert begins to find many questions within his life. Thirteen year old Robert does not understand why his father who is a fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force in England becomes estranged from his family. Robert and his mother are not the only family members displaced and living with their grandfather in Rhode Island. Robert meets his aunt, uncle and cousin Elliot. Elliot, an artist, has mastered the "art" of keeping cool while Robert is confrontational with his acerbic grandfather. While Elliot befriends a reclusive German artist, the prejudiced townsfolk and their anti-German sentiment, rages on with tragic results. Not long after moving to Rhode Island, questions begin to arise in Robert's mind that only time will begin to answer. When Robert's father is declared missing in action, he tries to figure out the world around him and the changes in society brought on by the war and his relationships with his family. Readers are gripping the edge of their seats as they read this heartfelt story and discover the reasons why Robert's father has become estranged with his family.

Evaluation: Winner of the Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award, readers will truly be transported in time to see the historical events of WWII through the fresh young eyes of Robert. As Lisle writes about the tensions within this family, readers are able to see the events of WWII from Robert's perspective. This mystery and coming of age story also examines the dysfunctional household in Robert's life. This story is likely to appeal to boys and girls in grades 5-7. In addition, Lisle's story will make an exceptional component of any WWII unit. Serving as a read aloud or instructional text, educators will likely find this story bring sensitive topics to the surface. Generating discussion of the war sentiments and human errors seem likely topics to explore. Lisle's delicate writing shows the harmful power of hatred and prejudice and their affects on the human spirit.

Not long after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Robert Saunders and both his mother and sister Carolyn were obligated to sell their costly farm and relocate to Rhode Island. Robby's father, an air force pilot, was deployed and sent across the Atlantic to Europe. Without his help on the ranch, it would suffer so Robert's mother resigned to the safe quarters of her father-in-law's cottage. There, along with their other relatives on Sachem's Head, Robert grew to become good friends with his cousin Elliot, a young but gifted artist. As Robby grew closer to Elliot, he was trusted with the friendship of another artist, a poor German exile who escaped to America and found shelter in the forests of Sachem's Head beneath an overturned sailboat. The German, Abel Hoffman, never did make friends with any others in the village for they thought of him as a burden of the war and sometimes a spy, something that for Elliot never crossed his mind. Because of the town's distaste for Abel, he was sent reluctantly to prison several times and while gone, his paintings were burned. When Abel saw the smoke, he sprinted towards his makeshift home, and after witnessing the burning works of art, Hoffman strode into the flames, killing himself and leaving Elliot without a close, understanding friend and teacher. Though it may seem as if that were enough wrongs to go on in one read, it was not, for at home other troubles arose. It was a great relief when Robby's father finally returned to America and life went on, Elliot attending an arts college in Chicago and Robby going on to medical school. The Art of Keeping Cool is a multi layered tale of the hardships of war at home for the families. Janet Taylor Lisle conjured up a heart wrenching read that helps you to see in others' eyes. It is one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Art of Keeping Cool is complex and has many different stories intertwined that make up one. One of the most prominent elements is Elliot's relationship with Abel and how that affects his friendship with Robby. Another is the secret of Robby's father's injured leg and the mystery of its cause. The elements that make up The Art of Keeping Cool help it to be much more interesting and intriguing, that make you want to read further.

The character Abel Hoffman brings the war to Sachem's Head. I like how his presence in Rhode Island connects the World War and Robby's father to the story and compares between places. This element ties the entire novel to the small town of Sachem's.
Elliot Marks is a complex character in The Art of Keeping Cool. His personality and down to earth perspective makes him a prominent character in the story. His connection with art and the world around him is much like that of the German's. I like how Elliot is unlike others of the town and finds that he himself can be compared to Abel more than anyone else.

Lisle's The Art of Keeping Cool is a fantastic tale of family, friends, and the acceptance of others unlike yourself, and it is a worthwhile read for anyone ages twelve and up. The Art of Keeping Cool shows you an altering perspective of the hardships that involve a secretive family and their war at home.

E. Knipp

After reading this book, I understand why it was awarded the Scott O'Dell Award of 2001. I won't give a summary here; many other reviews have covered that territory. I want to comment about the brilliant writing. As the back cover describes it: "This taut, multilayered story of dangers lurking inside and outside a house, of old secrets, of deceptive enemies, and of two friends who must each find their own ways of fighting back."

The Art of Keeping Cool, set in a small town in the northeast during WWII, dives into the quirks and frailties of characters that really come alive--not all at once but slowly unfolding. We are shown how vulnerable everyone is and at the same time each character's strength is revealed. Sometimes what looks strong is really weak and what looks weak is really great strength. The story is thought provoking, at times blurring the lines between who is good and who is evil. The story is complex in its exploration of relationships and like all good stories, the characters are different at the end of the story. The journey is not an easy one. Every one struggles through trials as they discover who they are, who they want to become, and the love or the dark side of family.

This was a family read aloud for us and it held everyone's interest the whole way through. Lots to talk about. I loved it and recommend this for families and young people who like books that touch you or that you can think about deeply.

(Laya Saul, author of the self help book for teens, "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way")

The Art of Keeping Cool-AWESOME! My class read this books together...and we all loved it! This story is about Robert and his cousin Elliot. Meet Robert's family: Grandpa, Grandma, Abel Hoffman, Aunt Nan, Uncle Jake, and Carolyn. Oh and Robert's dad, Kenny, that is serving in World War 2. YOU SHOULD SO READ THIS BOOK! This book is full with ups and downs. Here are two words: buy it!

Do you want to read an exciting, spellbinding, spectacular, page-turner that will hold you so tightly that you won't be able to put it down? Well, here it is, The Art of Keeping Cool! This is a story about two boys. One of them, Robert, whose dad is a fighter pilot, moved to his cousin, Elliot's house. Elliot is very good at art. Then he meets a German artist who everybody thinks is a spy, even Robert. That changes when the artist, Abel Hoffman, tells the kids a story about himself and gives them a painting. This story is a lot like Don't You Know there's a war on? by Avi because it has the same basic theme. Readers from ages seven to 121 that like exciting, page-turners will love this book. The Art of Keeping Cool is such a good, awesome, rocking book. You just have to read it!

Lisle creates a great story of historical fiction. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Robert moves with his sister and mother into his grandparents home in Rhode Island. Robert's father is flying bomber plans in Europe and would not approve of the move of his awaiting family, for some mysterious reason. While living in his new home, Robert slowly sees his father's past unfold in front of him.
Although this provides great drama and keeps you reading for more, I thoroughly enjoyed the historical context Lisle draws from the past. You can see the shiny weapons creaping down the drive and entering the newly built military plant. I loved the thrill as I discovered Robert may have befriended a possible German spy. Thier friendship is in danger as Robert and his cousin must decide on the good of the town. Do they defend their lonely, harmless friend? Or do they do what is best for themselves, their town, and thier country?
Conflicts between Robert's family members become interwoven with the issue of Abel Hoffman and his young friends to creatively convey a historical masterpiece of fiction. What does Robert decide? What does his heart say? How will he respond to the chilling secret of his father's past? Read on and find out; Most importantly, learn a great lesson in history.

This story is told by a 13-year old Americam boy named Robert. He tells his story during WW2 while his father is enlisted as a pilot. It is a fascinating read, learning about his friendship with a German artist as well as his relationship with his cousin and other family. It is a different take on a WW2 story and I would definitely recommend it.

- "The Art of Keeping Cool" Is about a boy named Robert and his cousin Elliot. When Roberts father goes to fight in the war (World War 2) him and his mom move to his dads parents house with his cousin Elliot, his mom and dad. Elliot is into art, but when a German artist moves into town and Elliot starts visiting him things go haywire, because his country is at war with Germany. Then Robert must solve to find out about his family secrets. It is a good book. There is also humor for fans of comedy.