The GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Klages, Ellen. (2006). THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY. Viking Publishing. ISBN 0670061344

2.    SUMMARY

In November 1943, 11 year old Dewey Kerrigan finds herself on a cross country train trip heading to live with her father in a remote area of New Mexico. Her father, a scientist is busy doing "war work" when he has Dewey join him on “The Hill”, a small, well guarded, off the map government community near Los Alamos. While on the train, Dewey works on her assortment of gadgets and gizmos and meets Dick Feynman, who is heading to the same location, and takes an interest in Dewey's inventions. Once she arrives, Dewey finds herself with plenty of unsupervised time as it seems all the adults are busy working on a secret project known as “the gadget". Secrets are a staple as Dewy has been briefed on what she can and cannot do or say to people outside the compound.

When Dewey's father is called away, she goes to live with another family. The Gordon’s and their daughter. Suze, Dewey's tormentor, are all but thrilled to have “Screwy Dewey” and her odd habits move in. Eventually the two draw closer as tension rises in the adults, the end of the project draws near and the impact of it’s implications become questioned. What brings the whole family even closer is the death of Dewey's dad, while in Washington D.C. working on a special assignment. Time begins healing the wound, and Dewey becomes part of the unconventional family.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although the story told by Klages is fiction, the events, places and events did indeed take place. The attention to historic details really preserves this period in time and opens up many avenues for the reader to explore more if they wish. Klages recreates the 1940's era vividly with the use of tone and language. From the references to World War II all the way down to the mentioning of the cost of a soda, the authenticity of this book rings true.

The writing is neat and draws you into the unconventional time and place. The reader is pulled through the events just as the two girls are, with many small clues opening up, until you eventually realize you are reading about the development and testing of the atomic bomb. The author leaves you begging for a sequel as questions have arose as to Dewey's family situation and the ethical use of such a powerful weapon.

The character development of Dewey makes her character easy to sympathize with. Abandoned by her mother, Dewey lives with her grandmother until she suffers a stroke and is then uprooted and sent to live with her father behind a locked fence. His untimely death makes the readers heart ache for the perils this child endures. Occasionally the story shifts to first person as Dewey deals with some of her most agonizing moments.

Dewey busies herself with inventions and her need to develop and create gives the reader an idea of just how unconventional she is for her time, including not conforming to gender roles of the time.  Surrounded by scientist's, several women, gives you hope that Dewy can find her niche.

The development of the story around the creation and testing of the atomic bomb is revealed cleverly giving the reader a slow build until you realize just exactly what the author is leading toward. I found myself surprised while reading as this is one area of history I was not knowledgeable about. I think all readers will have "light bulb" moments when reading this book.

THE GREEN GLASS SEA is a superb historical fiction novel to spark the interest of anyone, at any age.

4.    AWARDS/HONORS/REVIEWS

Winner, 2007 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Winner, 2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
Winner, 2007 New Mexico State Book Award (YA)
Finalist, 2007 Quill Awards (Young Adult)
Finalist, Northern California Book Awards, 2007 (Children's)
Finalist, Locus Awards, 2007 (Best First Novel)
Book Sense #1 Children's Pick - Winter 2006/2007
One Book, One Nebraska for Kids - 2009
2009 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award Master List, (Illinois)
2008 NeNe Award List (Hawaii)
2008 Bluegrass Award Master List (Kentucky)
2007-08 Maine Student Book Award List
2007-08 Isinglass Teen Read List (New Hampshire)
2009 Rhode Island Teen Book Award List
2008-09 South Carolina Junior Book Award List
Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly
Starred Review in The Horn Book
A Horn Book Fanfare selection
A Junior Library Guild selection
A Scholastic Book Club selection

BOOKLIST review: The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes. John Green

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: 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. Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

5.    CONNECTIONS

A few teaching activities from Scholastic.

1. Reread the letter on page 190 that Jimmy Kerrigan writes to Dewey from Washington, D.C. Then reread the passage on page 199 in which Dewey explains to Suze what the letter really says. Exchange letters with a classmate, using a code like the one Jimmy Kerrigan used. See if you can break your classmate's code. What information did you try to pass along in secret?

2. Using descriptions from the text, draw a map of the Hill. Include as many places as you can remember from the book. Possible locations to plot on your map might be the Tech PX, the dump, Morganville
      
3. Dewey and Suze like to read comic books. Some of their favorite characters are Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Captain America. Use a blank sheet of paper and colored pencils or crayons to create your own comic book hero or heroine. Give your character a name. What special powers does he or she have?

References to comic books and comic book characters can be found on pages 87, 151, 181, 195, 202, 242, and 257.

Authors website: http://www.ellenklages.com/

I Googled “Green Glass” or “Trinity Glass” to view pieces of the actual glass.  You can even own your own piece, which I felt would be a nice addition to have if you were using this book in the classroom.