Willow Run

Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2005. Willow Run. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0385730675

PLOT/SUMMARY

Meggie’s world is turned upside down. Her brother, Eddie, is off fighting in World War II and her father has announced they are moving to Willow Run, Michigan to do their part in the war working in a factory building bombers. Meggie convinces her German grandfather to stay in Rockaway partially for his safety and partially because she is embarrassed by him with his German surname and mixing up his v’s and w’s. When Meggie arrives and meets some of her neighbors in Willow Run, we witness even more the sacrifice that families and individuals made for the war effort, “for the duration”, way back when. This is ultimately a well written story of bravery, and not just Meggie’s.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Giff has a talented way of weaving together story lines in this work. We are immersed in the tense climate that is the United States during World War II, where anyone might be a spy or a Nazi according to some. Meggie’s family moving to Michigan introduces other families fighting the same fight and making sacrifices for the good of their country. From troublesome Harlan who lost his uncle in the war to Ronnelle, waiting anxiously for her husband to return so he can meet his daughter we see how the cast of characters support each other and band together during a very difficult and uncertain time. When Eddie goes Missing In Action, Meggie and her family are surrounded by strangers who have become family. There is no sugar-coating of the loss of life or how deep the hurt when the news from the warfront is not positive, but the author keeps the setting very simple and understated to match the bare bones atmosphere they lived in. Meggie’s father summarizes the theme perfectly when, together, they go out searching for an open field and something growing…”We have to keep thinking of places like this,” he said. “Things growing, reaching for the sky, instead of being torn down.”

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Jul. 1, 2005 ; American Library Association; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2005 ; American Library Association; United States
Children's Books 2005: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2005 ; New York Public Library; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 15, 2005 ; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Ninth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2006 ; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
Teachers' Choices, 2006 ; International Reading Association; United States:

Mitten Award, 2005 Honor Book Fiction Michigan

Kirkus Starred Review…” This is a rare, vivid glimpse of the wartime sacrifices of American families who stayed behind during WWII. Eleven-year-old Meggie Dillon's story begins in 1944 in Rockaway, N.Y., just as her family's moving to Michigan's Willow Run so her father can work in a B-24 bomber factory. Meggie imagines a great adventure, but without the accompanying trauma.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Starred Review…” The Dillons’ sacrifices soon pale in comparison to the news that Eddie is missing in action, and although the novel ends without word of Eddie’s fate, Grandpa rejoins the family at Willow Run to offer the support they desperately need. Giff pays equally respectful attention to the grating annoyances, comical childhood obsessions, and heartbreaking uncertainty that fill Meggie’s stay at Willow Run, and readers can be confident that the Dillons are strong enough to weather whatever the War sends them.”

VOYA Starred Review…” Her prose is sparse yet vivid, and the poverty and transience of Meggie's world is palpable. Meggie is as intriguing as Lily and matures quietly and emotionally, coming to realize what courage really is by looking within herself. Inspired by the hope in those around her, Meggie is finally able to offer hope to others. Hers is the story of the sacrifices made back home, where the battle is ultimately won.”

CONNECTIONS

*Read the companion book, Lily’s Crossing (ISBN 0440414539), also by Patricia Reilly Giff and compare Meggie’s and Lily’s experience.

*Study more about World War II and the sacrifices people of the country made “for the duration” in order to support the soldiers. Take note of which ones were mentioned in the book.

*Meggie writes letters to Eddie, her grandfather, Lily, and various other folks. Have students imagine they are one of the other characters in the book (perhaps Harlan, Patches, Rollie, or the ice cream man). Have them write a letter to someone and tell about life from their perspective.