The Warden's Daughter

By: Jerry Spinelli

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's Summary

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 12 turns to 13, 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 roles 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.

©2016 Jerry Spinelli (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"It's a tapestry of grief and redemption, woven by a master storyteller who never loses his focus on Cammie's personal journey but connects it to Eloda's in a powerful twist. Moving and memorable." ( Kirkus)

"This is a story about facing hard truths and growing up. Readers will love the details of having a prison compound for a home and adore the many secondary characters who help keep Cammie's head above water during her desperate search for happiness." ( Booklist)

"Character development and realistic dialogue shine in this emotional historical fiction title. Spinelli's characters are achingly real." ( School Library Journal)

boring

can't finish too boring. drags along with too many details. does not flow or hold attention.

6th graders - JMS

The students love it, and some even identified themselves with details of the story. They created a Book Trailer, to invite others to read the story and did some excellent work.

WORST BOOK EVER!

I want to burn this book to the ground and dance on it's ashes. The o my reason I finished it was so that I could give it a proper review on my vlog. The two plot twists are ridiculous and annoying. The major problem is that the character who point of view this book is from is 1 dimensional....All she is is angry that's it! The author does a terrible job of building relationships between her and characters we are supposed to care about. So when the twists with these characters happen I just don't care, because I never felt attached to them to begin. with. Save yourself and gauge your eyes out before you read this book!