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Warden's Daughter

By Jerry Spinelli
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3.69 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 4,038 ratings, 668 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli tells the story of Cammie O’Reilly, a girl growing up in the 1950s in a prison where her father is the warden. Struggling with the absence of her mother, Cammie forms unique relationships with the inmates and staff, looking for a mother figure among them. The book explores themes of loss, family, and identity as Cammie navigates her complex world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate heartfelt coming-of-age stories. Set in the 1950s, it follows a young girl navigating life and loss while living in a unique environment—a prison where her father is warden. The blend of historical setting, emotional depth, and engaging character development makes it a compelling read for young readers.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Cammie mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. Now, on the eve of her 13th birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mom. A prison may not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined in this novel by Newbery Medalist Spinelli.

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli (Maniac Magee, Stargirl) comes the "moving and memorable" (Kirkus Reviews, starred) story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli (Maniac Magee, Stargirl) comes the moving and memorable (Kirkus Reviews, starred) story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison.

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli comes the story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday!

Cammie O'Reilly lives at the Hancock County Prison—not as a prisoner, she's the warden's daughter. She spends the mornings hanging out with shoplifters and reformed arsonists in the women's exercise yard, which gives Cammie a certain cachet with her school friends.

But even though Cammie's free to leave the prison, she's still stuck. And sad, and really mad. Her mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. You wouldn't think you could miss something you never had, but on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mum. A prison might not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined, and she's willing to work with what she's got.

"A tapestry of grief and redemption, woven by a master storyteller... Moving and memorable." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli is praised for its engaging and unpredictable narrative, while capturing the essence of adolescence amid complex themes like fame, fortune, and mental health. Critics applaud Spinelli's ability to evoke a specific time and place, providing a rich backdrop for the protagonist's coming of age within a prison community. The story is noted for its vivid character development and the balance of humour with serious subjects, showcasing the author's storytelling prowess.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780375832024

Publisher: Random House USA Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 May 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Random House Inc

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 352

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children's Historical Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Historical Fiction Jerry Spinelli Penguin Books Young Adult

About the Author

JERRY SPINELLI is the author of many novels for young readers, includingDead Wednesday,The Warden's Daughter; Stargirl;Love, Stargirl;Milkweed;Crash;Wringer; andManiac Magee, winner of the Newbery Medal; along withKnots in My Yo-Yo String, the autobiography of his childhood. A graduate of Gettysburg College, he lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, poet and author Eileen Spinelli.

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