The Green Glass Sea

The Green Glass Sea

By: Ellen Klages

Puffin Books ©2006

ISBN#: 9780142411490

It’s 1943, and Dewy Kerrigan is on her way to a town that—officially—doesn’t exist. The United States is in the middle of World War II and Dewy’s father is one of the scientists working on “the gadget.” Susan also lives on “The Hill” and wishes she was back in her old life at Berkley. Little do these girls know, but their lives are soon to be tangled together when Dewy’s father has to go to Washington for meetings about “the gadget.” Dewy and Susan don’t see how they could have anything in common. However, over time they realize that Susan’s passion for art is very similar to Dewy’s passion for inventing and that misfits need to stick together. The Green Glass Sea shows how World War II had an impact on even the youngest life.

Klages immerses the reader in war time with finer details such as food rations and gasoline coupons. She also incorporates real scientists as characters in her story to give it more authenticity. Klages brings the truth of the raw destruction of the atomic bomb to life. “They walked in from the edge until all they could see was green: splattered at their feet, merging into solid color at the edges of their vision” (Klages 314). The atomic bomb turned the desert sand into glass. She also makes it apparent that there were some scientists who questioned whether or not the bomb should be used through the arguments between Susan’s parents.

This novel could be used in a discussion about the pros and cons of developing the atomic bomb. In a science class, this novel could be used to inspire students to make inventions of their own. It could also inspire artistic students to experiment with different materials. This novel could also help students develop an understanding for the quote “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” because of the girls’ fondness for searching through the dump.

Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2007.

Horn Book Magazine—“Cameo appearances are made by such famous names as Richard Feynman (he helps Dewey build a radio) and Robert Oppenheimer, but the story, an intense but accessible page-turner, firmly belongs to the girls and their families; history and story are drawn together with confidence”(S.R.).

Booklist—“The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes” (Green).

Works Cited

R., S. "The Green Glass Sea." Horn Book Magazine 82.6 (2006): 716-717. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.

Green, John. "The Green Glass Sea." Booklist 103.6 (2006): 61-62. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.