Willow Run

by Patricia Reilly Giff

Click on image for author information

Meggie Dillon has problems. She just wants to be a regular kid – but this is World War II. Her older brother Eddie is overseas fighting. Her grandfather was born in Germany, and while a US citizen now, has a “suspicious” german accent. And her father has just got his dream job supervising a plane assembly line – meaning the family has to move to Michigan, away from her best friend Lily.

This is a fascinating, unsentimental tale of living in a time of war from a child’s perspective. While there are no easy answers given, it is gently written and so should not overwhelm young readers. Thankfully, the big issues in Meggie’s life will be foreign to most readers, however they will be able to relate to more “normal” issues she faces, such as making new friends, honesty, and loyalty. They will be fascinated by the details such as wartime butter, jingles contests, movie news reels, and rag curlers.

My one suggestion would be that the author should add some historical notes for interested readers, and perhaps a brief list of some of the less frequent terms (for example, not all 10 year olds in 2005 would know what a snood is).

While the publisher lists the book as for ages 9 – 12, in my opinion slightly older would be more appropriate.

Christian Content: None – the Dillon family does attend Sunday mass.

Parental Heads-Up: None

ISBN: 0385-90096-1

Expected Publication: 13 September 2005