War and Millie McGonigle by Karen Cushman

Bibliography

Cushman, K. (2021). War and Millie McGonigle. ALFRED A KNOPF. ISBN 9781984850102

Plot Summary

One would think living on Mission Beach in San Diego, California would be a dream, and for the most part, there’s no other place Millie would rather be. However, since the start of World War II, Millie has been feeling the effects of the Great Depression. Her sunny days are gloomier than ever, especially after her best friend moves and Gram is no longer around to cheer her up. With her father struggling to find work, her mother scrimping pennies together to buy food, her “pill” of a sister who’s always the center of attention due to being ill, and a rowdy little brother, Millie struggles to understand herself and the world around her. It becomes difficult for her to “remember the good things in this world, the things you care about”, as Gram says. Soon, unexpected friendships and situations help Millie realize just that. 

Critical Analysis

Karen Cushman creates another award-winning historical novel by providing readers with the perspective of a tween, Millie, growing up during World War II. Set on the sunny beaches of San Diego, California in 1941, Cushman masterfully weaves a story of a young girl managing the loss of her grandmother and best friend during a frightening time in history. Readers will relate to the young girl’s trials and tribulations of being a preteen along with arduous family dynamics. Cushman flawlessly incorporates details of the effects of the Great Depression and the fear of the West Coast being attacked during WWII within the storyline, providing readers with a real sense of day-to-day angst and worry. The inclusion of the bombing of Pearl Harbor brings the plot to its climax as Millie and her family prepare for the worst. Cushman’s portrayal of this historical time (men being drafted for war, racism towards Japanese residents, societal response to aid wartime) shows evidence of great research and adds to the authenticity of the novel itself. 

Review Excerpt(s)

"Transforms grim history into a light for dark times." —Kirkus Reviews

“A lively choice for historical fiction fans.” —Booklist

“Newbery Medalist Cushman melds historical detail and generous humor in this gently paced novel of family travails and sociopolitical tensions set in 1941 California.” —Publishers Weekly

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

**Activities can be found at https://images.randomhouse.com/promo_image/9781984850102_7693.pdf

• Millie and her mother are good at writing jingles. Take a look at the gallery of World War II propaganda posters on this website: 

history.com/news/world -war-ii-propaganda-posters-photos-united-states -home-front. 

Select one poster and write a jingle that Millie might write to support the message of the poster.

•  View and discuss the photographs of San Diego on this website: sandiegohistory.org/journal/1978/april/wartime. 

• Discuss together what it would have been like to be a child or teenager growing up during the depression and WWII. Compare and contrast to how children grow up today. 

Scales, P. (n.d.). The War and Millie McGonigle Educator's Guide. TeachingBooks. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://images.randomhouse.com/promo_image/9781984850102_7693.pdf

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
• Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel by Rob Currie
• 47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich by Annette Oppenlander