The Art of Keeping Cool

Lisle, Janet Taylor. 2000. THE ART OF KEEPING COOL. New York, NY: Anthneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689837879

*Plot Summary

Following his father’s departure to fly with the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII; Robert Saunders, his mother, and his sister leave their home in Ohio to live in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, Robert gets to know his father’s side of the family including his cousin Elliot. During his stay, Robert learns about family secrets and living in a country at war.

*Critical Analysis

In her Scott O’Dell award-winning novel, author Janet Taylor Lisle uses historical detail and plain narrative to create an interesting and clear setting. In THE ART OF KEEPING COOL, Lisle brings many historic elements to the fictional town of Sachem’s Head. Readers learn about townspeople and families living during World War II and the effects of the war on their daily lives. For example, the Saunders family grows accustomed to blacking out windows and eating more bread and potatoes due to meat ration books.

In addition to somewhat smaller changes in daily life, there were also more dramatic events occurring in the coastal town. When a passenger ship is hit by German subs up the coast near Sachem’s Head, people must deal with the realization of war. “It was another step toward realizing that the war might be coming to our side of the ocean, and faster than we thought,” Robert narrates. Finally, the idea of fear and suspicion caused by the war also adds to the setting of the novel. When German artist Abel Hoffman is arrested, townspeople “were standing around in different places, then folks would go off to do a job or have a sandwich, and come back and join a new group. There was a feeling in the air of something big about to blow wide open.” Lisle takes great care to create a town which feels the effects of the war.

Using narrator and protagonist, Robert, Lisle tells the story with a believable and distinctive voice. Robert’s curiosity and frustration toward his family, namely in understanding the mystery surrounding his father, drives his character. He feels compelled to secretly read his father’s letters to his mother and ask questions no one else dares ask. “I looked at my mother and I knew what she wanted to ask next…That night at supper, my mother kept respectfully silent again. Suddenly, it made me so mad I just went ahead and asked what she wanted to know for her.” Because so much of the story revolves around secrets, many of the secondary characters are quite mysterious. Robert’s cousin Elliot is a talented artist who hides his artistic interest from his family. Next is Elliot’s unlikely friend Abel, a famous artist who sought safety from the terror he faced in Germany only to be faced with more suspicion and hatred in Sachem’s Head. Finally, Grandpa Saunders dominates the family with his bullying disposition. Lisle effectively creates interesting and believable characters which move the plot.

The plot revolves around these well-developed characters. In addition to the people, there are also curious events and secrets which encourage readers to continue reading to find out more. Finally, the historic background also plays an important part in the plot. WWII is what takes Robert’s father away and brings his family to Sachem’s Head in the first place. Furthermore, fears fueled by the war affect Abel and, in turn, Elliot in addition to the rest of the town. The plot is matched closely to the themes of the book. These themes work well in this novel which is set in 1942, but they are also easily identifiable for contemporary readers. The idea of family secrets and suspicions fueled by fear are themes created successfully by Lisle and built by the characters, historical setting, and riveting plot.

*Personal Response

My interest in this novel was dominated by the suspense created by the author in the family secrets and mysterious characters. This is a serious, somewhat dark novel, and it is a good read. I enjoyed learning more about life in a coastal U.S. town during WWII, and I think older elementary students, perhaps boys in particular, will enjoy this novel.

*Review Excerpts

“Briskly plotted, emotionally complex, brutal in incident yet delicately nuanced in the telling, a fine historical fiction.”
Kirkus *Starred Review*

“Like Abel's expressionist art, Lisle's story shows and tells what's behind the appearances of things, the ‘hidden feelings and memories, terrors and passions . . . everyone knows are there but cannot speak about.’"
BookList *Starred Review*

“Engrossing, challenging, and well paced, the novel holds up a mirror to society-for those who dare to look.”
Horn Book

*Connections

-Research Hitler’s regime and compare to Abel Hoffman’s description of his treatment in Germany.
-Search for examples of Expressionists artists.
-Connect to other historic events in the United States fueled by fear or hatred.
-Identify elements of the novel which make it historical fiction and elements which make it mystery.
-Research cities on the northeastern coast of the U.S. and how they were affected during WWII. Is Sachem’s Head a realistic portrayal?