Lily's Victory Garden (Tales of Young Americans)

Gr 2—4—During World War II, Lily collects tin cans with her brother to help with the war effort. Their last stop is always at the house of the Bishops, whose son was the first soldier from their town to die in battle. Lily takes note of the beautiful flowers in the untended yard and longs for a garden of her own. It seems that her dream might come true when she hears that the town park will be turned into Victory Garden plots, to be given to winners of a lottery. Lily applies but is told that she doesn't qualify, so she obtains Mr. Bishop's reluctant permission to create her own garden in his yard, on the condition that she doesn't bother his wife. Lily spends several days planting seeds, hoeing, and watering, and soon Mrs. Bishop begins to help. Everything goes well until the woman slips in the mud and her husband becomes angry. Lily races home in disgrace, but later Mr. Bishop comes by to apologize. He hadn't realized how happy his once-grieving wife had been when she was working in the garden. The lovely, realistic watercolor paintings capture the text well, and back matter explains other aspects of the American home front. This story, told from Lily's point of view, is beautifully rendered, emphasizing how tragedy can be surmounted.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library