The Green Glass Sea

Over winter break, I read The Green Glass Sea, by Ellen Klages. Set in World War Two, this book is about a ten-year-old girl named Dewey, nicknamed "Screwey Dewey," who is uprooted from her home in Chicago where she lives comfortlessly with her nana. She moves to an officially noxexistent town: Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Dewey lives friendlessly in a dusty apartment with her papa among lies and bustling scientists all busy with the " Manhattan Project." When urgent business calls her papa away, Dewey is left with no choice but to move in with Susan, a rude girl who strives to be popular. Susan's mother enjoys Dewey's presence, however, Susan takes quite some time to warm up to Dewey. But soon, they are inseparable, until tragedy strikes. The girls quarrel and separate, to Susan's mother's disappointment.   

But soon, after the atomic bomb is tested and used in Japan, ending the war, the joyous girls share an experience that will keep them together forever.

Overflowing with hope, shame, fear, misery, joy, and secrets, this book creates a compelling weekend read for anyone.