Book Review - The Warden's Daughter

Title: The Warden's Daughter
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Genre: Historical fiction
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Rating:

The tears will creep up on you

Summary(provided by publisher): From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli (Maniac Magee, Stargirl) comes the knockout story of a girl who must come to terms with her mother's death from inside the walls of a prison.
Cammie O'Reilly is the warden's daughter, living in an apartment above the entrance to the Hancock County Prison. But she's also living in a prison of grief and anger about the mother who died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. And prison has made her mad. This girl's nickname is Cannonball.
In the summer of 1959, as twelve turns to thirteen, everything is in flux. Cammie's best friend is discovering lipstick and American Bandstand. A child killer is caught and brought to her prison. And the only mother figures in her life include a flamboyant shoplifter named Boo Boo and a sullen reformed arsonist of a housekeeper. All will play a role in Cammie's coming-of-age. But one in particular will make a staggering sacrifice to ensure that Cammie breaks free from her past.
Master storyteller Jerry Spinelli spins a tale of loss and redemption like no other. The Warden's Daughter shows that kindness and compassion can often be found where we least expect it.

My opinion: There I was, reading peacefully along, knowing pretty much where this book was going and then -bam- I was crying. I didn't realize that I had connected that deeply with Cammie. That's the strong point of this book. Cammie is so very real. Her friends, the prisoners, they all feel like someone you could actually meet. It does have weak points. It's historical fiction, which is always a harder sell with a young audience. Additionally, it's narrated by an adult Cammie remembering her childhood, meaning that we aren't always in the moment. Still, it's fantastically written and well worth the effort if you can have a little patience.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Have you seen this chicken?

My family has been a fan of Wallace and Grommit for many years now so while I was working on another Sculpey project last month I whipped up this little figure of Feathers McGraw.

 If you are unfamiliar with Wallace and Grommit but enjoy a good laugh give it a watch. I especially recommend "The Wrong Trousers", the story that features this little fellow.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 1

Today's craft actually starts with a kit, a Van Gogh paint by number set. I've been fond of Starry Night ever since I saw Vincent and the Doctor so I figured it might be nice to have a version of the painting for my house. While I was planning this month's crafts, though, it occurred to me that the nativity could fit into that painting. So this is my rough approximation of those two elements. I might do some refinement in future, but for now it hangs proudly on my wall.

With that, I leave you for the rest of the month. Thanks for checking out my blog. I'll see you again in the new year when I return to my regular blog schedule.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 2

I had every intention of making a Christmas themed puppet. I had some vague notions of a rod puppet featuring a marshmallow snowman in a cup of hot cocoa. Or perhaps a woodland animal wearing a Christmas sweater. That was the plan. But then this little guy occurred to me. Once the design was in my head it wouldn't leave me alone. I used my fallback for making it holiday themed - holly.

I'm particularly fond of his shiny syrup hair.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 3

I've made these little felt penguins before, usually stuffing them and adding a nylon thread to make them into ornaments. This time I left the bottom open much like a finger puppet. I'll use this little guy to carry my earbuds.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 4

When I left my job at the library, I was given this very nice, very large, owl bank. I'm a fan of stylized owls so it was a very thoughtful gift. What I'm not a fan of, though, is pink. And this owl is quite pink.

I've had it set aside for repainting since I moved. Christmas seems like a perfect excuse for repainting.

Not only is she more my color scheme now, she's also wearing a lovely festive sweater vest.

 

Crafty Christmas Coundown: 5

I saw this craft online and knew I had to try it for myself. I believe the original was painted but I did my version with high pigment crayons on construction paper. They really need to be high quality crayons. I tried it with Crayolas and the pigment wasn't nearly as strong.