The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

Bibliography:

Klages, 2011. The Green Glass Sea (audio). Narrated by Julie Dretzin. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books. 9781456128630

Plot Summary:
The year is 1943 and Dewey Kerrigan, a 10 year old, science loving inventor, is heading to Los Alamos, New Mexico to live at The Hill (a place that technically doesn’t exist thanks to the military) to live with her father. Dewey’s father is working with the military to develop a secret gadget thought to help win the war (World War II). When Dewey’s father is temporarily sent to Washington Dewey is forced to stay with (and ends up making friends with) a girl who bullies her throughout most of the story. Through a sad twist of fate Dewey loses everything that is dear to her and is left ponder her future.

Critical Analysis:
The plot of this story seeks to bring readers closer to World War II in the United States and the controversy involved with the making of bombs. Klages carefully incorporates time specific facts such as clothing styles, music, and even real people like Richard “Dick” Feynman (who Dewey meets on the train) and Julius Robert Oppenheimer. Additionally, Klages carefully brings the setting of the New Mexico desert to the readers by constantly describing the weather associated with this region.

Ellen Klages spends a great deal of time on Dewey’s background so readers are able to grow attached to the girl’s hard life. A great deal of the story often seems bogged down in details, but once the events unfold the slow pace will make more sense. Readers will more than likely shed a few tears throughout this sad, but touching story.  

I chose to listen to this book in audio format as opposed to reading it since I had not yet reviewed an audiobook. The narrator, Julie Dretzin, did a fabulous job reading the story in a clear fashion and with plenty of emotion in all of the proper places. Dretzin slightly changed the sound of her voice to fit each character making it easier for readers to interpret who is who.

Admittedly, I had a hard time staying with the story because of all of the side details the author focused on and I kept asking myself throughout the whole story why the book was called The Green Glass Sea but once I got to the end of the book everything made sense and it all came together. I encourage you to stay with this book once you start it! 

Recommended for ages 9 and up.

Review Excerpt(s):

• Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2007 
• Booklist (2006) “the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.” 
• Publisher’s Weekly (2006) “the author provides much insight into the controversies surrounding the making of the bomb and brings to life the tensions of war experienced by adults and children alike.”

Connections:

•  Pair this title with other great historical favorites such as:
         The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich
         Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
         Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson 
• There were several notable figures listed within this book (Madame Curie, Julius Robert Oppenheimer and many others). Provide the child(ren) with additional facts and/or books on these well known figures to encourage further learning. 
• Supply the child(ren) with a copy of the Greek alphabet and encourage them to write their names or create a secret message using these letters. Generate a discussion by asking the children to think of places they might have seen Greek letters before.