Willow Run

Title: Willow Run

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: 11-year-old Margaret "Meggie" Dillon's life in the sleepy town of Rockaway in 1944, is turning upside down. Meggie's family, especially her grandfather, are being threatened by neighborhood boys who are suspicious of the Dillon family because of Grandfather's German accent. Then, Meggie's father accepts a job in Willow Run, and the whole family - except Grandfather - moves away. In Willow Run, the tiny homes are dirty and dark and the factory work is hard on both of her parents. On top of it all, Meggie misses her brother Eddie, who is overseas fighting.
Slowly Meggie makes a place for herself in Willow Run. She meets two friends, Harlan and Patches. They engage in many interesting adventures - including stealing ice cream from the ice cream truck (I am sure that Ms. Giff does not endorse this idea).

But one day, Eddie goes missing overseas. Her family mourns and also prays for him to be found safely.

During her stay in Willow Run, Meggie slowly begins to grow up and learn to keep her hope up for her family and most of all, her missing brother.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It pairs with Lily's Crossing quite nicely, yet it is a great stand-alone novel too. Readers do not need to know one book to enjoy the other in this case. I enjoyed this book even more than Lily's Crossing, I think, though the Rockaway landscape was a nice background in the Lily book.

Ms. Giff really does it again with this great work of historic fiction. Reading work by this author is always a treat, because I can always count on the story to be good - even if not each story is my favorite - the story is still always a worthwhile read.

Meggie is a likeable character, and I can just imagine her in this real situation in real life. Often times, Ms. Giff's books really have that power.

I recommend this book for 8+, or any children who know about WWII already and would not be confused by the reasons for Meggie moving or for Sam's missing notice.

I almost want a sequel (though this book was written a decade ago). I want more of Meggie Dillon's life!

 

Rating: 5 stars