Lily's Crossing (Newbery Honor Book) [Hardcover]

Patricia Reilly Giff (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Newbery Honor Book

This year, as in other years, Lily has planned a spectacular summer in Rockaway, in her family's cozy house on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean. But by the summer of 1944, World War II has changed almost everyone's life. Lily's best friend, Margaret, and her family have moved to a wartime factory town, and worse, much worse, Lily's father is on his way overseas to the war.

There's no one else Lily's age in Rockaway until Albert comes, a refugee from Hungary, a boy with a secret sewn into his coat. Albert has lost most of his family in the war; he's been through things Lily can't imagine. But when they join together to rescue and care for a kitten, they begin a special friendship. For Lily and Albert have their own secrets to share: they both have told lies, and Lily has told a lie that may cost Albert his life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Elizabeth Mollahan--the Lily of Lily's Crossing--lost her mom when she was little. Her father and a grandmother are her only family. Every summer the three of them flee sweaty New York City for a beach house in New York's Rockaways.

This year though, Lily's father announces that he's enlisted in the Army; days later, he is gone. Alone with her grandmother, Lily sees a long lonely summer ahead. And then, Albert appears. A refugee from the Nazis, his family thrown to the winds, young Albert bears a grief and sadness of his own.

It's a pleasure to read along as Lily and Albert negotiate the pain they feel and the secrets and adventures they share. With subtlety and compassion, this gift of a book reminds us that wars happen to children, too.

[10 and up. Adults should sneak a peek too.]

From Publishers Weekly

PW's starred review of this 1998 Newbery Honor book said that the WWII homefront novel, about Lily's growing friendship with a Hungarian refugee, "has all the ingredients that best reward readers." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385321422
• ISBN-13: 978-0385321426
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #570,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Newbery Honor books, Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Friendship in Rockaway, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lily's Crossing (Audio Cassette)

As thirteen year old seventh graders we really enjoyed reading this book for English class. Lily's Crossing was a book about friendship and both hard and happy times. Lily made a wonderful new friend, Albert, in Rockaway. This all happened during the summer of 1944, at the height of World War II. Everything occurred after Margaret, Lily's best friend, left Rockaway, Beach because her father was transferred to a new city were they manufactured bombers. Lily also had a difficult time dealing with her Poppy (father) leaving to help win the war. Read and discover the adventures and risks Lily and Albert experienced which built their friendship throughout the summer in Rockaway. Our feelings throughout this story were changing constantly. At different parts we both cried and shared happy and sad emotions with one another. Lily's Crossing is suspenseful, well written, and can be enjoyed by all ages.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friends Forever, July 12, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Lily's Crossing (Paperback)

Lily's Crossing, a popular Newberry Honor Book, is wonderful for readers of all ages. Patricia Reilly Giff brings the whole story to life with her amazing adventures and her remarkable characters. Lily, an eleven-year-old girl with a life full of happiness, is living through the tough times of World War II. Her father has to move away to help strengthen America in the war. It doesn't end there! Every summer Lily goes to the beach with her friends but not the summer that her father leaves. Lily's best friend has to go away with her family because her family has to help out with the war. Just when Lily thinks that her life is ruined, she suddenly meets a boy named Albert. They became best friends, but can they stay out of trouble with her lying? Will Lily say something that can cost Albert his life?
This book is highly recommended because it shows just how important friendship can be. Lily is an amazing girl who shares her wonderful world with everyone. Her story can help many people during rough times with friends because she teaches people never to give up on friends. When Lily realizes that her best friend must move away, she feels miserable! She and Albert have their rough times at the beginning, but in the end, they become best of friends! The book also presents life during World War II. It presents the reader with a whole new world in the little town named Rockaway, New York where families and friends become close knit and help each other out. Also, by inviting everyone over to dinner. The war helps Lily become closer to her friends and family during these rough times. It also helps her to become trustworthy with her friends and to stop lying to everybody.
Lily's Crossing should definitely be at top of the list of best novels because the reader will feel a part of an unforgettable world. So me people may see Lily's Crossing a very mellow and sometimes boring book. Despite these views, the reader is bond to feel a connection to the characters life experiences! Even if Lily's Crossing isn't the number one book to many people, there is definitely a whole lot to learn from this little girl, for example, what it was like to live during World War II. It also can help many people understand who true friends are and how powerful friendship can be.
~ Once reading this book, it will change the readers life forever ~

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lily's Crossing, November 28, 1999

By 

Keely (Palo Alto, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lily's Crossing (Paperback)

Lily's Crossing is a great book. One of the reasons why I liked it was that it had good voice. It had such good voice that when Poppy came home I cried out loud as I read. I also liked the book because I like historical fiction. The events that happened in the book could have happened in history in 1942. Also, it was about an immigrant from Hungary whose sister is in France with the Nazis. I loved Lily's Crossing because I never knew what would happen next, because of the way the problem was set up. The probem is Lily tells Albert she can take him to Europe. I didn't know what she was going to do. I kept guessing until the answer was revealed towards the end of the book. So, in conclusion, I would give the book five stars.