LSSL 5360 Module 5- Book Review #4 GINGERSNAP by Patricia Reilly Giff

Module 5- Book Review #4 Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. (2013). Gingersnap. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780375838910

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This is a quick, easy, touching read about a young girl, Jayna, who yearns for the family she has never known. In the midst of WWII, her older brother, Rob, the only living relative she knows, heads off to war as a chef on the Muldoon battleship. Jayna finds herself alone, left with the landlady who she is less than fond of. Just as Rob leaves for war, he tells Jayna that he believes they may have a grandmother in Brooklyn who owns a bakery. When she learns Rob is missing-in-action, she realizes the only company she has is her recipe book, her turtle Theresa, a mysterious and ghostly guiding voice, and her possible grandmother. Jayna, alone, scared, and being followed by this ghostly companion, decides to take a trip to discover the ‘Gingersnap’ bakery and search for the only family she may have left.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a sweet historical fiction book that depicts a touching story during a time of warfare, and I really enjoyed the details Patricia Reilly Giff gave to paint the pictures of Brooklyn during WWII. The descriptive writing, and Jayna’s young, hopeful, and often desperate voice added to the mood and gave the reader a taste of what it was like to be homebound while family members were off at war. Throughout the book, Giff continues to use “soup” as a motif, relating each recipe to a mood, feeling, or event. This was my favorite aspect of the story- tying in the aspects of food, family, hope, and courage by presenting a comparable recipe for each chapter.

For me, personally, I think the “ghost” character could’ve been developed more. I really enjoyed it throughout the book, but felt so much was left open at the end: Who was the ghost? Why did she look just like Jayna? I usually like spiritual aspects and supernatural occurrences in books, but this particular one left me underwhelmed and confused at the end. I wish Giff had come full-circle with the ghost character and tied up the loose ends a little bit better.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, heartfelt, and somewhat haunting story and a quick read that opens up the world of a young girl during war-torn times.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Giff is one of few writers who can entwine an odd lot of characters, set them in Brooklyn during World War II, flavor the story with soup recipes, add a ghost and infuse the plot with a longing for family—and make it all believable.” –Kirkus Review

“I would recommend Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff to anyone who enjoys historical fiction in grades four and up. I was lucky enough to listen to the audio of this wonderful book narrated by Olivia Campbell. She did an excellent job capturing Jayna’s voice and personality. The variety of voices for the different characters helped the book come alive for me. It was so fun stepping back in time and hearing about radio shows and actors from so long ago.” –Goodreads, starred review by Stephanie Robinson

5. CONNECTIONS

*This piece of historical fiction could be super fun for the classroom! I would use it to have the kids make up their own “soup” motif or recipe book that fits a set of moods or an event in their life.

*Recommended for Ages 9-12