STORYTELLER
1. Bibliography
Giff, Patricia Reilly. STORYTELLER. New York: Wendy Lamb, 2010. Print. ISBN:9780375838880
2. Plot Summary
STORYTELLER by Patricia Reilly Giff is a historical fiction novel that has two settings. Elizabeth is a young girl who lives in the 21st century. She is sent to live with an aunt she doesn't know. While there, she finds solace in a drawing of her ancestor Zee. Zee grew up during the Revolutionary War. The story alternates between the lives of these two girls. Elizabeth learns that her and Zee had a lot in common including looks and the gift of storytelling.
STORYTELLER by Patricia Reilly Giff is a historical fiction novel that has two settings. Elizabeth is a young girl who lives in the 21st century. She is sent to live with an aunt she doesn't know. While there, she finds solace in a drawing of her ancestor Zee. Zee grew up during the Revolutionary War. The story alternates between the lives of these two girls. Elizabeth learns that her and Zee had a lot in common including looks and the gift of storytelling.
3. Critical Analysis
Zee's life is told from the perspective of a young girl during Revolutionary War which Giff includes various details to make this time period come to life for the reader. The reader is not overwhelmed with details. Giff gives enough information to make the scene come to life for the reader. The reader learns more about the Revolutionary War and how neighbors were either together or against one another. In Elizabeth's story, we learn the importance of family heirlooms and especially the history of our ancestors.
When Zee went off to war to find her father and brother, we are taken to the front lines of the war. "Everything was color: the orange of the sun, the shiny green of the washed leaves, the red of the blood everywhere." The reader is given a look at the front lines of the war and the images that Zee must have seen.
The speech for the time of the Revolutionary War is not portrayed in this story. Through Zee's story, the speech is more of the modern day like Elizabeth's. Elizabeth and Zee face some of the same struggles even though they are 100's of years apart. Giff does a wonderful job of intertwining the lives of these two girls. Through the author's note at the end, the reader learns the factual basis behind this story.
Zee's life is told from the perspective of a young girl during Revolutionary War which Giff includes various details to make this time period come to life for the reader. The reader is not overwhelmed with details. Giff gives enough information to make the scene come to life for the reader. The reader learns more about the Revolutionary War and how neighbors were either together or against one another. In Elizabeth's story, we learn the importance of family heirlooms and especially the history of our ancestors.
When Zee went off to war to find her father and brother, we are taken to the front lines of the war. "Everything was color: the orange of the sun, the shiny green of the washed leaves, the red of the blood everywhere." The reader is given a look at the front lines of the war and the images that Zee must have seen.
The speech for the time of the Revolutionary War is not portrayed in this story. Through Zee's story, the speech is more of the modern day like Elizabeth's. Elizabeth and Zee face some of the same struggles even though they are 100's of years apart. Giff does a wonderful job of intertwining the lives of these two girls. Through the author's note at the end, the reader learns the factual basis behind this story.
4. Review Experts
KIRKUS REVIEWS 2010: "Still, this is a lovely story about love and loss, a little-known aspect of Revolutionary history and the way the past informs the present, and the ending is gratifying."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 2010: "The fast-paced narrative, toggling back and forth between the 18th and 21st centuries, will keep readers interested.
5. Connections
~Students could research different elements of the Revolutionary War in groups and present their findings to classmates. This would help to build background knowledge of the War before students read this historical fiction novel.
~Students could ask their parents about their family history and create their own journal to pass down to family members.
Other book by Patricia Reilly Giff:
ALL THE WAY HOME
LILY'S CROSSING
MAGGIE'S DOOR
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