The Art of Keeping Cool

by Janet Taylor Lisle

Book Overview

An ALA Notable Book for Children 2001Robert meets his cousin, Elliot, when he moves from Ohio with his mother and sister to live out the war with his grandparents in Rhode Island. Elliot can draw... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689837879
• ISBN13: 9780689837876
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Wonderful read, highly recommended

After reading this book, I understand why it was awarded the Scott O'Dell Award of 2001. I won't give a summary here; many other reviews have covered that territory. I want to comment about the brilliant writing. As the back cover describes it: "This taut, multilayered story of dangers lurking inside and outside a house, of old secrets, of deceptive enemies, and of two friends who must each find their own ways of fighting back." The Art of Keeping Cool, set in a small town in the northeast during WWII, dives into the quirks and frailties of characters that really come alive--not all at once but slowly unfolding. We are shown how vulnerable everyone is and at the same time each character's strength is revealed. Sometimes what looks strong is really weak and what looks weak is really great strength. The story is thought provoking, at times blurring the lines between who is good and who is evil. The story is complex in its exploration of relationships and like all good stories, the characters are different at the end of the story. The journey is not an easy one. Every one struggles through trials as they discover who they are, who they want to become, and the love or the dark side of family. This was a family read aloud for us and it held everyone's interest the whole way through. Lots to talk about. I loved it and recommend this for families and young people who like books that touch you or that you can think about deeply. (Laya Saul, author of the self help book for teens, "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way")

World War II... MUST HAVE

Lisle, J. T. (2000). The art of keeping cool. New York: Scholastic, Inc. Synopsis: In 1942, when Robert and his mother are forced to leave with his paternal grandfather in Rhode Island, Robert begins to find many questions within his life. Thirteen year old Robert does not understand why his father who is a fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force in England becomes estranged from his family. Robert and his mother are not the only family members displaced and living with their grandfather in Rhode Island. Robert meets his aunt, uncle and cousin Elliot. Elliot, an artist, has mastered the "art" of keeping cool while Robert is confrontational with his acerbic grandfather. While Elliot befriends a reclusive German artist, the prejudiced townsfolk and their anti-German sentiment, rages on with tragic results. Not long after moving to Rhode Island, questions begin to arise in Robert's mind that only time will begin to answer. When Robert's father is declared missing in action, he tries to figure out the world around him and the changes in society brought on by the war and his relationships with his family. Readers are gripping the edge of their seats as they read this heartfelt story and discover the reasons why Robert's father has become estranged with his family. Evaluation: Winner of the Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award, readers will truly be transported in time to see the historical events of WWII through the fresh young eyes of Robert. As Lisle writes about the tensions within this family, readers are able to see the events of WWII from Robert's perspective. This mystery and coming of age story also examines the dysfunctional household in Robert's life. This story is likely to appeal to boys and girls in grades 5-7. In addition, Lisle's story will make an exceptional component of any WWII unit. Serving as a read aloud or instructional text, educators will likely find this story bring sensitive topics to the surface. Generating discussion of the war sentiments and human errors seem likely topics to explore. Lisle's delicate writing shows the harmful power of hatred and prejudice and their affects on the human spirit.

Excellent-o! Fabulous-o! Must read!

The Art of Keeping Cool-AWESOME! My class read this books together...and we all loved it! This story is about Robert and his cousin Elliot. Meet Robert's family: Grandpa, Grandma, Abel Hoffman, Aunt Nan, Uncle Jake, and Carolyn. Oh and Robert's dad, Kenny, that is serving in World War 2. YOU SHOULD SO READ THIS BOOK! This book is full with ups and downs. Here are two words: buy it!

The Art of Keeping Cool

Do you want to read an exciting, spellbinding, spectacular, page-turner that will hold you so tightly that you won't be able to put it down? Well, here it is, The Art of Keeping Cool! This is a story about two boys. One of them, Robert, whose dad is a fighter pilot, moved to his cousin, Elliot's house. Elliot is very good at art. Then he meets a German artist who everybody thinks is a spy, even Robert. That changes when the artist, Abel Hoffman, tells the kids a story about himself and gives them a painting. This story is a lot like Don't You Know there's a war on? by Avi because it has the same basic theme. Readers from ages seven to 121 that like exciting, page-turners will love this book. The Art of Keeping Cool is such a good, awesome, rocking book. You just have to read it!

Drawing Life in World War II.

It's during World War II and Robert's father, Ken, has gone off to join the Royal Air Force of England. Robert and his family moved out to live with Grandpa, against Ken's wishes. Ken and Grandpa have never gotten along for some reason, and Robert is determined to find out why. Elliot and Robert join a German artist, turning the whole community against them, because of the fear that he may be spying for their enemy in war, Germany. Grandpa and Robert don't get along, and family tensions boil again as "civil war" breaks out with the next generation. I loved this book because of the build up of character that Janet Taylor Lisle creates. Everyone is an individual. Grandpa is always angry. Grandma is always trying to protect people from Grandpa. Robert's mother is always quiet. Elliot is always drawing life in W.W.II. And father like son, Robert and his father always think things through and stand up to Grandpa. I would contrast Janet Taylor Lisle to Philip Pullman because they are the exact opposite. Pullman likes to write deep fantasy while Lisle likes to write shallow fantasy. Pullman writes about things that he imagined while Lisle writes about history.