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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... Salem Main Library | J Giff, P. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | J Fic Giff, P. 2014 | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Stayton Public Library | JF GIFF | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Sirens! A scary sound, especially to Siria, whose brave pop is a firefighter. Siria loves everyone at Pop's city firehouse. She also loves to study the stars. Her mother named her after the brightest start in the winter sky.
When Siria hears sirens, she sneaks out to chase the trucks, to bring Pop and the other firefighters luck. She'd be in big trouble if she ever got caught. Good thing her best friend, Douglas, is always by her side.
As Christmas approaches, Siria suspects that someone in the neighborhood is setting fires. She has to find out who's doing it. When clues point to a surprising suspect, she realizes that solving this mystery will take all kinds of courage.
Patricia Reilly Giff, the author of many beloved and award-winning books, is at her best in this action-packed story. In Winter Sky, friends, family, and a very special dog help Siria see how brave she really is.
Nominated to the Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award
Author Notes
Patricia Reilly Giff was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 26, 1935. She knew she wanted to be a writer, even as a little girl. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Marymount College, a Master's of Arts from St. John's University, and a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University.
After she graduated from college, she taught in the public schools in New York City until 1960 and then in the public schools in Elmont, New York from 1964 until 1971. She then became a reading consultant before finally, at the age of 40, deciding to write a book. She also worked as an educational consultant for Dell Yearling and Young Yearling Books and as an advisor and instructor to aspiring writers. Her first book, Today Was a Terrible Day, was published in 1980. She is the author of more than 100 children's books, as well as a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers.
Together with her husband, Giff opened "The Dinosaur's Paw," a children's bookstore named after one of her own stories. She is the author of the Polk Street School books. Lily's Crossing, about the homefront during World War II, was named a Newberry Honor Book by the American Library Association as well as an ALA Notable Book for Children. The novel also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor. Her companion book to Lily's Crossing, Genevieve's War, won a 2018 Christopher Award. Pictures of Hollis Woods was also named a Newberry Honor Book and Nory Ryan's Song was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
Patricia Reilly Giff died on June 22, 2021. She was 86.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-With her single dad constantly fighting fires, Syria worries that one day he won't come back. Whenever she hears the sirens, she follows him and sneaks back home before he notices. If her dad ever found out, she'd be in big trouble. Luckily, her friend Douglas is always by her side looking out for her-until one day when she runs into him and sees his hands are red and blistered. She begins to wonder if her friend is the arsonist responsible for a rash of fires. Determined to protect her dad and find out the truth, Syria begins to investigate. Along the way, she rescues a stray dog that is somehow connected to it all. Can Syria figure out who's setting the fires, keep her friendship with Douglas, and adopt the dog all while keeping her dad safe? Narrators Arielle Sitrick and Cassandra Campbell do an excellent job of drawing the reader into this well-developed, engaging plot. Sitrick's narration is clear and engaging, and easily captures Syria's voice and personality. Her voices of supporting characters is well done, and each character is easy to distinguish. Campbell's parts are brief, but easily distinguished and engaging. The pacing is good, and the narrators' transitions between scenes smooth. Those who enjoy mysteries, adventures, and friendship stories will enjoy this audiobook. Recommended for most libraries.-Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
At night, Siria searches for fire and sirens in hopes of catching her firefighter father at work. But when she discovers a series of fires that look like arson, she decides to find the perpetrator in an effort to protect her father. Strick provides a strong and sincere voice that is perfect for Siria, while also capturing the uncertainty and ambiguity that comes with being a young adult often left to her own devices. Sitrick deftly captures Siria's emotional range, and though she creates believable voices for the book's men, they pale in comparison to the voices she lends the female characters. Campbell also turns in a fine performance: her tone is lofty but hints at deeper emotions, which works well for Giff's novel. Ages 8-12. A Wendy Lamb hardcover. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Worried about her firefighter father's safety, every time a siren wails eleven-year-old Siria sneaks out and chases the truck, watching to make sure he escapes harm. Over Christmas break, Siria notices small fires being set all over town and decides to investigate on her own. Unadorned but engaging prose and Giff's well-drawn characters add depth to a simple story about courage and friendship. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Siria was born on New Year's Day and named for the star Sirius, which shines brightest in the winter. Almost 12, she only vaguely remembers her mom, who died when she was little, but she cherishes the astronomy book that belonged to her. She believes that her mother entrusted her with her father's well-being. Pop is a firefighter and the only family she has, and she is determined to keep him safe. She is frightened and feisty, headstrong and calculating. She sneaks out at night to follow the sirens and keep vigil with him and his team. A series of suspicious fires in her city neighborhood during the Christmas holiday season involves Siria in ever more dangerous escapades and seriously disrupts her friendships when she mistakenly believes her best friend might be an arsonist. Siria narrates her own story as it is unfolding; there is no omniscient adult voice to guide her, only her own sensitivity and insights as she pieces the puzzle together. Giff deftly builds upon Siria's relationships with Pop, his colleagues at the firehouse, her friends Laila and Douglas, and a stray dog, greatly broadening the usual definition of family. There is some gritty reality, but the overall tone is one of goodness, kindness and community. Tender and satisfying. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Eleven-year-old Siria lives with the memory of her mother who left behind a narrative guide to the stars and the reality that she might also lose her single firefighter father, whose job sends him repeatedly into danger. The residents of her apartment building serve as a surrogate extended family, complete with siblinglike friends, grannyesque babysitter, spatting young marrieds, and a not-so-stray dog especially in the Christmas season, when homemade gifts are in process. Afraid for her pop's safety, Siria has a penchant for chasing late-night fires. Surrounded by loyal friends, her curiosity about the cause of the local fires makes her question those closest to her. Siria's strength grows as she confronts her suspicions and faces her own truths. Fans of award-winning author Giff will appreciate the smooth juxtaposition of the mother's warm omnipotence through her ethereal guidebook, the devastating burning power of fire, and the crystal clear luminosity of the winter sky.--Bush, Gail Copyright 2014 Booklist