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Lily’s Crossing is a 1998 Newbery Medal Winner by the American author Patricia Reilly Giff published in 1999

Plot
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff is an American young adult literature focused on readers beginning the fourth grade. The story is about Lily and Albert, two children who face at a young age grief and must help and learn from each other through the summer. Lily lives in St. Albans, Queens with her father and grandmother, her mother passed away when Lily was a small girl. Each summer Lily and her father(Poppy) stay in Far Rockaway near the Athletic ocean at her grandmother's(Gram) house, she loves going there because it is far from her house and she is able to relax and explore the neighborhood. Lily has a friend Margaret who spend most of their summer days together gossiping and watching movies. Lily feels she needs to fix some problems in her life, one of which is lying because it has become a habit for her and she finds it fun.This summer is different because the story starts in 1944 which was when World War II began to fight in Europe her whole world begins to change because her father must go overseas and her friend Margaret is moving to Detroit with her family for her father to work on planes.Lily must find a new friend to replace Margaret she meets a new friend called Albert Orban. Lily begins to follow Albert which makes him uncomfortable and distance from her, until a series of events leads to the cross paths and become friends. Albert is a refugee from Hungary who has escaped from the Nazis and dreams of reuniting with his family one day, he does not have interest in making friends.While Poppy is away Gram becomes very worried for him because she does not have connect with him and Lily and new view of the war. Lily becomes a support system for Albert because he is alone and his family is far, Lily wants to help him pass his hard time by taking him on new adventures. Albert learns to swim giving some trust in Lily, Albert begins to open up to Lily about his life in Hungary which Lily describes each conversation his voice being restless. Albert has a sister Ruth that he is desperately trying to find, because she was left behind because she had measles and they could not escape together, he is willing to puts his life in danger to find her.

Themes
In the book there is honestly/Dishonestly, Lily has a difficult time being honest with the other characters. She has a habit of lying, which causes conflict in her life. Also family is mentioned Lily's only family is her father and grandmother that are a huge part of her life, and when her father is sent to fight the war her life changes completely.She usually tells lies when she wants to get out of doing something. She also lost her mother at a young age which would explain the reason she is always looking for a new friend. Albert was left as an orphan because he was separated from his family because of the war, he has a hard time to accept Lily as his friend. Another theme is friendship Lily and Albert develop a friendship, even with their differences they manage to help each other through a difficult period.The friendship of Albert and Lily's is strong, they find trust in each other, although at first Albert was resisting any communication with Lily. Albert feels guilty for escaping the Nazis and the separation from his family. Albert was separated from his family, the only family he has left is his sister. He does mention that his parents died for writing negative comments about Hitler and Nazis. Lily has a hard time accepted her father left to the war, she mentions him a few times in her conversations in Albert. Margaret brother is also missing during the war, and Lily becomes concern for his safety because she hard thousands on men had already died fighting the war.

Subjects
War

Critical Reception
Lily's Crossing has receive some critical praise. In the review of the New York Times,Jane Langton wrote that the novel was “For today's children, to whom World War II must seem as remote as the Civil War, Lily's story places history in real time.” and “With Ms. Giff's usual easygoing language and swift, short paragraphs, the impact of the war on an American child is brilliantly told”. Although he also noted “Still, what will the parents who buy so many of Ms. Giff's books think of this one, if they pause to read it themselves? Is Lily Mollahan a good role model for their children?”. Publishers Weekly had a positive review, stating that “Exceptional characterizations and a robust storyline turn this WWII homefront novel into far more than a period piece.”. The Delacorte Press Kathy Hunt wrote a positive review stating "Yet because of the moral clarity of the situation, these youngsters end up stronger." . In Crocker Review Carol Otis gave the book good standards stating "The book portrays very well the World War II era and the feelings that drive Lily. Gram is wonderful: she's strong, often difficult and she has a sense of propriety that often frustrates Lily, but sustains them both."

Interpretation-

Awards
1998- John Newbery Medal

1998- ALA Notable Children’s 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

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

References List
1.Langton, Jane.May 18, 1997. "The Home Front." The New York Times On The Web.Retrieved 18 May 1997. http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/05/18/reviews/970518.langton.html

2.) Jansen-Gruber, Marya. "Lily's Crossing." Lily’s Crossing. Through the Looking Glass  Children's Book Reviews.,  Retrieved  21 Oct. 2014. http://lookingglassreview.com/books/lilys-crossing

3.) Teachers@Random Catalog | Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff."Teachers@Random Catalog | Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff. Random House Children's Book,. 21 Oct. 2014. http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385321426#desc

4.)"Children's Book Review: Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff, Author, Domb, Author Delacorte Press $15.95 (192p) ISBN 978-0-385-32142-6."PublishersWeekly.com. Delacorte Press, 10 Feb. 1997. Retrieved 28 Oct. 2014. http://www.publishersweekly.com/9780385321426

5.) K.H. "Strength through Moral Clarity." Alberta Report / Newsmagazine 25.25 (1998): 48. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. .

6.)Hurst, Carol Otis. "Explore Family Dynamics in Literature." Teaching Pre K-8 28.1 (1997): 92. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. .