Friday, March 27, 2009

Changes for Molly by Valerie Tripp, Illustrations by Nick Backes, Vignettes by Keith Skeen- Realistic or Historical Fiction and Chapter Book


This book is a great example of realistic or historical fiction, and it is also a chapter book. The book is about a ten-year-old girl named Molly McIntire and her friends and family. The book takes place in 1944 during World War Two. Molly, her mother, her siblings, and her friends, are all at home while Molly’s father is in England taking care of wounded soldiers, since he is a doctor. Molly’s father is about to come home, and Molly wants him to think she is grown up, so she works really hard to get the role of Miss Victory in a tap dance that would be the finale in a big show called, “Hurray for the U.S.A.” The show was going to be put on at a veteran’s hospital for all of the hurt soldiers and the whole town. Molly lands the role of Miss Victory, but on the day of the big show, she gets sick and cannot perform. She got sick because she had been sleeping and going to school with wet hair every day so that her hair would be curly for the show. Molly was very sad because her whole family went to see and perform in the show while she was at home, sick in bed. Plus, Molly’s father sent a telegram saying that he cannot come home yet. The story ends with Molly’s father surprising Molly and coming home that night! Since everyone else is at the show, Molly is the first to see her father, and they are both very happy!
This book is part of the “American Girls” series. I remember loving the American Girls series when I was in elementary school. I even had costumes and dolls that looked like the American Girls! This book would be great in a third-fifth grade class because in addition to being interesting, it is very informational. Throughout the book, references to the war are made. Molly and her friends talk about people that they know who got hurt or killed in the war. The idea of rationing food and other products was also mentioned. At the end of the book, there is a section called “A Peek Into the Past- Looking Back-1944.” In this section, there are pictures and lots of information about what life was like during World War Two. The pictures showed things such as soldiers returning home, the atomic bombs, and the changes that women made during the war. This part was completely informational, and students could learn a lot. This book would be great to teach students about World War Two. Students could also connect to the book because of the current War. Students might have friends or family who are fighting in Iraq, and they could relate to Molly. The book has a happy ending, so that might help to boost morale. Although girls typically read this series more than boys, I think that both boys and girls could learn a lot from this book! Some children think of historical books are boring, but this one includes lots of fun and mischief that Molly gets into as well, making it very interesting!

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