Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff

Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff
  1. Bibliography
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Gingersnap. Wendy Lamb Books, 2013. ISBN 0375838910.
  1. Plot Summary
Jayna is an orphan and has only her older brother Rob to rely on. Rob has been called
to the war in the Pacific, and Jayna is left with only her landlady, Celine. Jayna decides
to go to New York and try to find any possible family. After finding a French cookbook
with a photograph of a bakery among Rob’s things, Jayna goes in search of the Gingersnap
bakery. Once there, she finds much more than she could have imagined. Jayna finds
answers to her questions, acceptance, and most importantly, family. 
  1. Critical Analysis
The different recipes scattered throughout the story that related to particular
moments in the story add to a unique spin on the story. For example, on page 122,
there was a recipe titled “Waiting Soup” that appeared just as Elise mentions that
Jayna can stay with her until Rob comes home from the war. My favorite recipe is
the last one; “Welcome-Home Soup.” (Pg. 144) Rob had just returned home from
the war and as the soup states, he was welcomed home. 

I can’t help but wonder if the “ghost” that is mentioned throughout the story is an actual
ghost or could it be Jayna’s conscience? It could also really be a ghost. And if that were
the case, then who was it? Possibly Jayna’s mother? That could be because the ghost
looked like Jayna. But because the ghost does show resemblance to Jayna, that makes me
think that the ghost could be her conscience talking to her.  
Overall I thought this book was pretty good. If it had been a little longer,
I think the characters and plot line could have developed into a deeper and better
thought out story. However, the story as a whole was really very good. The reader
was able to understand the main character, Jayna rather well, through her
thoughts and point of view given throughout. 
  1. Review Excerpts
  • “Jayna’s journey is a memorable one.”- Kirkus Reviews
  • 2015 South Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee
  • 2015 Volunteer State Book Award- INtermediate nominee
  • 2016 William Allen White Children’s Book Award nominee
  1. Connections
  • Follow this book up with another novel by the same author, Patricia Reilly Giff,
Lily’s Crossing. This novel takes place during the same time, but it is the story of another
girl’s experience during the war. It provides a different point of view. 

  • This book can be read while learning about the bombing of Pearl Harbor in history.

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