Ellen Klages' debut novel, The Green Glass Sea, was lavished with praise, including the Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction. This sequel continues the story of science enthusiast Dewey Kerrigan, now living with her friend Suze's family in Alamogordo, New Mexico, after her father's death. Against the backdrop of America's quest for the moon, Dewey tries to find her place in the world.
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"Dewey and Suze follow history to New Mexico where Suze's Dad is working on rockets at White Sands. The Red Menace isn't much a part of the story, it's mostly about the relationship between the two girls and Suze's mother - which is difficult and loving. It's a good story about family set against an interesting part of US history."
— Cindywho (4 out of 5 stars)
" This was moving and historically fascinating and just in general really good. "
— Julian, 2/20/2014" Ellen Klages creates strong girl and woman characters in this young adult novel. The historical setting of 1946-1947 in the USA testing grounds of rockets, bombs/missiles(?), and the race for space rockets adds a unique dimension to the coming of age theme. "
— Maryann, 2/15/2014" This was the follow up to "The Green Glass Sea" which Sarah and I read last year. I really enjoyed it, even though it is a young adult book. I guess that is one of the joys of parenthood. You get to read your kids' books! "
— Tracy, 2/15/2014" I personally hated this book. Green Glass Sea was one of the best historical fiction ever so when I heard about the sequel, I picked it up at the library. I then found out after 50 pages of reading it that Green Glass Sea was the type of book that should be a stand alone. Read Green Glass Sea, but dont waste your time with this. "
— Adam, 2/9/2014" . . . maybe if she writes a third book in this series, there will be overt lesbian content. I'm hoping, anyway. "
— Elena, 2/9/2014" I love Ellen Klages' work. Her books are so well-written and solid-- and of course, I love the positive portrayals of women and interesting, well-rounded, non-stereotypical characters. "
— Anastasia, 1/5/2014" Found this on our trip to NM when the balloon festival got rained out. "
— Mary, 12/31/2013" Okay...........I started liking Dewey at the end..... But not Ynez. She creeps me out. "
— Julia, 12/29/2013" The beginning is a lot worse than the middle "
— Savvy, 12/23/2013" This book, in my opinion, was almost as good as the first. I loved that she finally found her mother and could find closure. Dewey is an amazing character and her story has touched me. "
— Caroline, 11/26/2013" Meh. First book was amazing, this one disappointed "
— Lacey, 10/20/2013" Not as good as the first, but interesting. I never really thought about this time period before. "
— Amy, 3/18/2013" A tail of growing up as a army brat in world war II. Two girls very different from anyone else struggle to fit in. "
— Caroline, 10/19/2012" Not nearly as good as The Green Glass Sea, but still a good read. "
— Janssen, 8/25/2012" Good story, great characters, but I found myself thinking, "they wouldn't think like that in 1946, even the most modern thinking person" a couple times too often. "
— Rick, 7/9/2012" Not as good as 'The Green Glass Sea" only because I know how hard it is to follow up on two fascinating characters which get developed in front of your eyes. Great insight into girl friendships which, I guess, I know nothing about but this made me feel like I could. "
— Chad, 10/2/2011" This is an excellent book for kids are right on the line between juvenile and young adult books. "
— Ed, 9/23/2011" really 3.5...i just enjoyed the first one more. "
— Angela, 8/28/2011" a wonderful satisfying sequel to The Green Glass Sea. "
— Ilene, 6/14/2011" good sequal 2 a good book "
— Sarah, 4/14/2011" I read this book because James checked it out for me at his elementary school library. Its set right after WWII....frankly I was surprised that it was at the elementary school library because there were a few bad words. The story line was interesting, but generally this wasn't my favorite. "
— Kirsti, 1/28/2011" Found this on our trip to NM when the balloon festival got rained out. "
— Mary, 1/8/2011" Good story, great characters, but I found myself thinking, "they wouldn't think like that in 1946, even the most modern thinking person" a couple times too often. "
— Rick, 1/1/2011" I didn't like this book as well as the first one, but I did enjoy the continuing story of Dewey and Suze. "
— Julia, 7/24/2010" Not nearly as good as The Green Glass Sea, but still a good read. "
— Janssen, 6/22/2010" I thought it was a really good book. I suggest reading Green Glass Sea before it, it will help. "
— Anna, 6/15/2010" Meh. First book was amazing, this one disappointed "
— Lacey, 4/15/2010" Not as good as The Green Glass Sea, but almost! "
— Kavik0917, 4/5/2010" I didn’t like this quite as much as <em>The Green Glass Sea</em>--mostly, I think, because I found the setting and historical context of the earlier book to be much more interesting. Still great writing and a good story--just not a favorite. "
— Ginny, 4/1/2010" a wonderful satisfying sequel to The Green Glass Sea. "
— Ilene, 3/18/2010Ellen Klages is the author of two acclaimed historical novels, The Green Glass Sea, which won the Scott O’Dell Award and the New Mexico Book Award, and White Sands, Red Menace, which won the California and New Mexico Book awards. Her story, “Basement Magic,” won a Nebula Award, and “Wakulla Springs,” co-authored with Andy Duncan, which was nominated for the Nebula, Hugo, and Locus awards, won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella.
Julie Dretzin, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actress who has appeared in Breaking Bad and several motion pictures, including the film adaptation of Alex Flinn’s Beastly.