Willow Run

Patricia Reilly Giff's WILLOW RUN tells of Margaret, whose life is changed by World War II and the fact that her grandfather is German - and suspected of being a spy despite his love for America. Her family's move to Michigan where her father will build planes in a factory takes her away from her grandfather and all she knows in this poignant story of war and change.

Willow Run Patricia Reilly Giff Wendy Lamp Books What would you do if you had to leave your whole life behind you and move away because of war? This great book Willow Run is the story of Meggie Dillon, who has to move because her family needs money. Because Meggie's brother has gone to war. The family moves to a place called Willow Run. Here Meggie faces many obstacles when she finds out her brother is missing in action, then realizes she doesn't remember his face. Meggie also steals some icecreame from the icecream truck and then feels guilty, and wants to pay for the the icecream she had stolen, that means she has to face Arnold, the icecram man, who she and her friends think is a spy. This book is filled with friends, icecreme, letters, war, and truth. You will discover all of this and more in Willow Run. Meggie (Margaret) Dillon is an eleven year old girl from Rockaway New York, who has to move to Willow Run Missouri, because her brother is fighting in war, so there family doesn't have as much money as they used to. Meggies dad has to work in a factory that makes B-42 Bombers for the war. Meggie is very emotional and she is very brave. Meggie has to face many obstacles in this book. Meggie is very truthful and is always writing to home and writing down her thoughts. She handles her situation very well and she acts very strong. I definitely recommend this book and its companion, Lilly's Crossing. to kids ages nine to twelve. This book is definitely a page turner. Every time I put it down it was like I was stopping the story and the characters were just waiting for me to pick the book up again so they could continue their story. This book will also interest people who like history. It gave me a good impression of what it was like in that time during World War Two. I felt like I was in the story with Meggie. Does Eddie ever come back? Does Meggie remember his face? You find out what happens....

The year is 1944 when Margaret "Meggie" Dillon leaves her grandfather and her best friend Lily behind in Rockaway, New York and moves to Willow Run, Michigan, so her father can work at a factory building airplanes. Her older brother Eddie is fighting the war in Europe and Meggie misses him terribly. To make matters worse, her new house looks like a long box with few windows and no grass or trees in the yard. Her home in Rockaway had been near the sea; she used to hear the call of seagulls and breathe in the fresh, salty air. All she has to remind her of home are a few seeds from her grandfather's vegetable garden. Slowly Meggie begins to make friends and rebuild her life. She meets Patches and Harlan, along with other kids who are in a similar situation. Their parents brought them to Willow Run so they could find better work in a factory building war planes. Meggie knows that this arrangement is not permanent because everyone keeps telling her that it is just for the duration. Patricia Reilly Giff fills the book with vivid details that keep the reader anchored in time. Meggie is always entering wartime jingle writing contests and watching war newsreels at the movie theater. Giff, a former reading teacher, is the author of many books for children, and several of her novels for young adults were named ALA Notable Books and ALA Best Books, including THE GIFT OF THE PIRATE KING, ALL THE WAY HOME, and NORY RYAN'S SONG. Meggie Dillon lived during uncertain times, just like many young people today. Readers will learn about the power of friendship and hope to pull us through difficult times when they pick up a copy of WILLOW RUN. --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner [...]