Willow Run by Patrica Reilly Giff

Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Willow Run. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2005. ISBN 9780440238010

Plot Summary:

Twelve-year-old Meggie Dillon is forced to move from her home in Rockaway, New York to Willow Run, Michigan so that her father can work in a factory during World War II. Meggie misses her home by the beach, her friends, and her grandfather. She also misses her brother, Eddie, who is serving in Europe. Life in in Willow Run is hard; her family is living in a cramped apartment, she has to make new friends, and her mother starts working in the factory. She spends her free time writing letters and entering contests so she can visit New York with her grandfather…someday.

Eddie is reported missing in the Battle at Normandy and Meggie worries she has forgotten his face. Her family is trying to keep the faith and believe that Eddie will come home.  Meggie writes to his girlfriend and she writes back giving the family hope.

“Dear Meggie,

I’m so glad you wrote to me. I know about Eddie. All of Rockaway does, every single one praying for him. But I want to tell you something, Meggie. I know he’s coming home. Just believe it. He promised me.

Love,

Virginia.” 

Critical Analysis:

Characters:

Students will identify with Meggie and the struggles she and her family encounter during WWII. Meggie makes mistakes but she learns from them and matures. Meggie is a resilient and believable character. She faces many struggles that kids continue to encounter today: moving, making new friends, missing family members or friends, and the fear of losing someone you love. True to the time period, Meggie writes letters to friends and family. She looks forward to opening a letter with her brother when he gets home.

Plot:

This story centers around Meggie, a girl who tells the story of her family. Readers will understand her struggles to adapt to her family moving, missing a family member, and making friends in a new city. Giff’s descriptions of cars, clothes, and the stars of the period take readers back to 1944. She accurately describes the everyday struggles American families tackled during this tumultuous time in history. Willow Run is told simply, but with much heart.

Setting:

Willow Run, Michigan is a factory town and is an important part of Meggie’s story. Giff’s descriptions make it easy for the reader to picture Willow Run. “He started the car and drove along blocks of apartment houses with a few trailers here and there and a couple of shacks leaning against each other. Not a garden in sight. Grandpa would hate it.” The kids jumped rope, went to the movies, and chased the ice cream truck. The women went to work in factories, neighbors sat outside to visit, and all worried about family and friends. These activities contribute to the authenticity of Giff’s historical story.

Theme:

The theme of Willow Run is one of love and support for both family and friends during hard times, such as war. Other themes include those typical of teens; changing, friendship, and growing up. All of these themes that were important then are still relevant today.

Style:

Giff’s style is simple and straightforward. Meggie’s story and that of WWII are seamlessly blended together for an enjoyable read. Willow Run captures the feeling of the times, along with how people spoke and behaved. This is simply the story of a family that occurs long ago during a time of war.

Authenticity:

Giff does not include an author’s note, sources, or recommended reading at the end of Willow Run. She does, however, have a reputation as an excellent, award-winning writer of historical fiction.

Review Excerpts:

• From School Library Journal-"Giff's engrossing, heartwarming story will help readers understand how personally war affects people."
• From Booklist (starred review)"Giff artfully carves the sentiments so prevalent in times of war--anxiety, inspiration, boredom--into sharp relief while creating a cast of finely drawn characters (the kind of people Meggie would never have met had she stayed home), each with his or her own worries, fears, and hopes. Many story lines are threaded neatly together here, but what has happened to Meggie's brother, Eddie, who is fighting overseas, remains unknotted at the end. Tough and tender, this is an excellent addition to World War II shelves." 
• From Children's Literature- "Giff has given us a story of sacrifice, the power of family, and characters that embody the strength of spirit of those on the home front during WWII." 
• From Kirkus Reviews-"Spam and spies, 1940s songs and Victrolas and a lively cast of characters make wartime America pop to life in this finely wrought story of cowardice, courage, and digging deep."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Willow Run follows Lily's best friend, Meggie, when her family must move to Willow Run, Mich., to work in a factory and help the war ffort."

Connections:

Gather historical fiction written by Patricia Reilly Giff to read:

Maggie’s Door ISBN 9780440415817

Gingersnap ISBN 9780440421788

Lily’s Crossing ISBN 9780440414537

Water Street ISBN 9780385730686

A House of Tailors ISBN 978-0440238003

Gather historical fiction written by other authors:

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park ISBN 9780547577319

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry ISBN 9780547577098

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen ISBN 9780375859083

The Brooklyn Nine by Alan M. Gratz ISBN 9780142415443

Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy ISBN 9780152164270

Pair this book with Lily's Crossing, the prequel to Willow Run for an introduction to historical fiction.

Learn more about author Patricia Reilly Giff:
About the Author

Have fun at her website:
Patrica Reilly Giff

Use this book to introduce a unit about WWII.

Visit a museum about WWII.