GINGERSNAP

GINGERSNAP

a. Bibliographic Data: Giff, Patricia R. GINGERSNAP. Random House Children’s Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0375838910.

b. Plot Summary:

            Jayne, a motherless and fatherless young girl, has spent many years in foster care until her older brother Rob comes to save her from that lifestyle. Finally in the comfort of family, her foundation yet again gets ripped out from under her feet when Rob is shipped to fight in World War II. Just before he leaves her in the care of their landlord Celine, he informs her of a secret box that he has stashed away in his closet of their parents’ things. Around this time she also starts hearing a voice, curiosity becoming too much after news of her brother’s disappearance, she snoops through the box and finds a recipe book with her “maybe” grandmother in front of a bakery with her nickname on it: Gingersnap. After overhearing Celine hint at giving up caring for Jayne, that’s all she needs to give her the push to head out to Brooklyn with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and her new ghostly guide in search of her “maybe” grandmother. What will she find? Who will she meet? Is her grandmother still alive?

c. Critical Analysis:

            GINGERSNAP is a historical fiction novel about a young girl in search of family to fill that void in her heart left by her parents’ death and brother’s deployment. The World War II setting is difficult to comprehend without background information about how much had to be rationed and saved. I think the idea of families being involved with leaving for way is an adequate parallel to today’s war, without stepping over boundaries or causing too much conflict. Readers who have experienced the loss of family or have been affected by the war could relate more to Gingersnap’s character than the average student. 

            The setting, plot, and characters were not sugar coated but they definitely could have been more developed and detailed to add more life to the book. They were predictable enough for an adult to catch on to but still unpredictable enough for the young readers. The character that could have used the most explaining was the “ghost”-like figure that guided Gingersnap to make decisions. There were confusing issues surrounding this character, especially the odd fact that only its hands and feet were visible at times (at times with her own nail polish). Gingersnap herself doesn’t even know much about who this character is:

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’m trying to figure that out, but don’t worry. I’m harmless.”

I took a step back. I could always jump out the window onto the porch over the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t do that,” the voice said. “I tried it before. It’s a nasty fall if you miss.”

“I don’t believe in ghosts,” I muttered.

“I don’t either. But that’s what I am. At least, I think so.”

Looking deeper into this character, I think, in my personal opinion, this could have been some type of coping mechanism that the girl used to help her in her time of searching and need, especially since it wasn’t present at the end of the book when things changed for the better.

d. Reviews

"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

“As in the Newbery Honor Book Lily’s Crossing (1997) and its companion book Willow Run (2005), Giff offers an accessible chapter book with highly individual characters and a convincing picture of life on the home front. Jayna often makes soup, and related recipes appear between chapters. Though parts of the story seem as improbable as daydreams, readers will be swept along by Jayna’s first-person narrative and moved by the novel’s ending.” –Booklist

“Giff smoothly intertwines threads of loss, displacement, hope, family, and the soothing power of food (especially soup) in a quiet but emotionally charged novel set during WWII.” –Publishers Weekly

“While she doesn't find any family there (Brooklyn), the people she does encounter change her life.” –School Library Journal

“Jayna’s journey is a memorable one.” –Kirkus

Awards/ Honors

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

John Newbery Medal 2011

Golden Kite Award for Fiction 2011

ALA-ALSC Childrens Notable Book

William Allen White Children Book Awards 2015–2016

e. Connections:

Students could make their own recipe for their own soup and try it out at home with their parents.

This book can bring about a strong discussion about ratioining and effects of war on civilization.

Students could research on why World War II was fought and what the repercussions of this were for our nation.

Since Jayna has a pet turtle, that students could do a writing activity about what pet they would choose to bring across the country with them. Where would they go? How would they help their pet survive? Etc.

Students can make a class recipe book that consists of a collection of recipes from each others home and heritage.