Hostorical Fiction - THE GREEN GLASS SEA

Bibliography
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. Recorded Books. New York,
New York. ISBN 978428146396

Plot Summary
This story, set in World War II in the non-existent place of Los Alamos, is an eye opener about the war and the way scientists helped in the war. This story, from the point of view of two ten year old girls allows young readers to engage in a war that happened along time ago and that seemingly didn’t affect children. This book will open children’s minds to what wars really cost.

Critical Analysis
This book is a great historical fiction. The accounts of life in Los Alamos are authentic and bring these experiences to an appropriate level for upper elementary students. The characters are well though out and developed. The characters emotions are portrayed so clearly that many times I found myself feeling like they must have felt. The plotline is easy follow and an engaging read for students who are and are not familiar with the story of Los Alamos. I love the way Ellen Klages describes the setting so that it is clear what Los Alamos must have looked. The audiobook version is read by Julie Dretzin. She does a great job of changing voices so that conversations between people are easily understood.

Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”
Publishers Weekly: “…the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.”
I was unable to find a review of the audiobook.

Connections
*This book could be used to teach about World War II and the life of secrecy in Los Alamos.
*This book could be used for a student who is curious about how the atomic bomb came about and how the scientists who created it felt.
*This story could be used to reveal the good and bad of science.
Taylor, Mike. WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II. ISBN 1562398083
Maruki, Toshi. HIROSHIMA NO PIKA. ISBN 0688012973