Module 5/Genre 5 - Historical Fiction/Biography

Bibliography
Lisle, Janet Taylor. 2000. The art of keeping cool. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689837876

Plot Summary
This historical novel is a captivating story about a couple of cousins, Robert and Elliot, in a coastal northeastern town during World War II. As one befriends a German artist, the other suspects the German a spy. As the story unfolds two mysteries are presented – one of the true nature of the German and one of Robert and his father, now a pilot in the war. As the story concludes, the novel presents real prejudice – within one’s family and within the community.

Critical Analysis
This story starts off in a powerful way, with symbolism and foreshadowing, as enormous guns pull into town and the two cousins go to watch them arrive. Through the characters in this story you learn about World War II and how life was in the U.S. during that time. Rationing and putting a banner in the window if you had a family member in the war are just a couple of ways that this story portrays WWII life in the early 40s. The characters in this tale help set the stage as well. The fearful hatred of the enemy really shows up as townspeople abuse and taunt the native German artist – who left Nazi Germany because he was being persecuted there. What also makes the story real are the small details, like German subs sinking ships off of the eastern coast.

The theme throughout this story is that of the uselessness of prejudice. Not only does this theme show up in the German artist storyline, but also in the family’s storyline. When the older cousin, Elliot, is continually abused and belittled by this grandfather because his grandfather thinks him weak and useless, one sees the parallel of the storylines. The historical figures of the time are also thrown into the story to make it more accurate and believable. As both mysteries unravel the end is revealed, even though it is predictable, is sad yet realistic.

This well told historical novel would be perfect for older children and young adults to read and discuss. Because of the content, there could be so many useful discussions about family dynamics, self-control/anger management, prejudices, and more.

Review Excerpt
Kirkus Review: "Briskly plotted, emotionally complex, brutal in incident yet delicately nuanced in the telling, a fine historical fiction."
Publishers Weekly: “The intimate first-person narrative brings universal themes of prejudice and loss to a personal level as the boys and their artist friend discover the destructive power of war on the home front.”
School Library Journal: “…this is a heartfelt story about family dynamics and the harmful power of prejudice and hatred.”

Connections
Have students research and discuss how Germans, Japanese, and Italians were treated in the U.S. during World War II.

In an art class have the students learn about expressionism and which Germans took part in that artistic movement. Have them also learn about other influential German artists.

Have a week of rationing in the classroom. Each day have rationing coupons for different items. At the end of the week discuss the kinds of things people rationed during World War II and the kinds of things people did within their community to help.