THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

Bibliography:   

Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY: Puffin Books.  ISBN 9780142411490 

Plot Summary:   

Readers will follow Dewey as she embarks on a mysterious train ride to a non-existent town in New Mexico.  There she reconnects with her grandmother and mathematician father.  The year is 1943, and there are hundreds of scientists and their families living in the area where everything seems to be a secret.  Dewey’s father must go away, leading to Dewey moving in with Suze.  At first they do not like one another, but a friendship eventually blossoms.  Adventure, bravery, and history come to life on the journey through the pages.  The “gadget’s” creation and the ultimate use of the atomic bomb are brought back to life in this well written historical fiction novel.   

Critical Analysis:   

The setting for this mysterious book is explicitly described, welcoming readers into the life of Dewey.  Many will identify with Dewey, while others may sympathize with her for being small, slightly lame, and a bit different from the norm.  The main characters are believable; doing things that would come natural to many young children of a similar age.  A very serious historical topic is brought to life without overwhelming the reader with details.  Information is presented accurately in terms that young readers will be able to comprehend.  The setting is described so distinctly that readers will be able to visualize the details of the time and place.  This coming-of-age themed piece captures the era perfectly by weaving together fiction details and historical facts.   

Reviews:   

·        2007 winner – Scott O’Dell Award

·        2007 winner – New Mexico Book Award for Young Adults

·        2007 winner – Judy Lopez Award for Children’s Literature

·        2007 finalist – Quill Awards

·        2007 finalist – Northern California Book Awards

·        2007 finalist – Locus Award for Best First Novel

·        Publishers Weekly:  “Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII.”

·        The Horn Book:  “…the story, an intense but accessible page-turner … where history and story are drawn together with confidence.” 

Connections:  Age Level:  9 and up 

·        New Mexico Research:  Research cities mentioned in the book:  Los Alamos, Roswell, and Trinity

·        Discuss censorship:

o   Word study to clarify meaning of word.

o   Research censorship from the past and present.

o   Writing prompts:  What would it be like to have your mail read by some you were not sending it to?

·        Idioms Study:

o   “loose lips sink ships” (Page 31)

o   “It ain’t over till the Fat Man sings” (Page 255)

o   “the $64 question” (Page 234)

o   “knew her onions” (Page 207)

o   “mind your own beeswax” (Page 220)

o   “my stars and garters” (Page 220)

·        Stop/Think/Write/Share before, during, and after the readings

·        Franklin D. Roosevelt: 

o   His death during this period

o   Timeline tracking his presidency, leading to his death