Kristiana Gregory takes the familiar folksong "Oh My Darling Clementine" and creates the life,
love and death of the beautiful Clementine. Life is hard in the Idaho territory, especially since her pa's arthritis prevents him from prospecting. Her ma makes a living by cooking for all the bachelor minors in town, but the more her pa drinks, the more they have to hide their meager savings. But Clementine wants more from life. She has dreams of becoming a doctor and helping people. How will she keep her family safe and do what makes her happy?
Gregory creates an interesting back story for Clementine while weaving in daily life in a mining town. What is notable about the story is the town vigilantes and how the Chinese immigrants are treated. Clementine's family has a servant that is more like a beloved family member to the women, but in daring to protect them he places his own life at risk.
Score: 3 out of 5
To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.
love and death of the beautiful Clementine. Life is hard in the Idaho territory, especially since her pa's arthritis prevents him from prospecting. Her ma makes a living by cooking for all the bachelor minors in town, but the more her pa drinks, the more they have to hide their meager savings. But Clementine wants more from life. She has dreams of becoming a doctor and helping people. How will she keep her family safe and do what makes her happy?Gregory creates an interesting back story for Clementine while weaving in daily life in a mining town. What is notable about the story is the town vigilantes and how the Chinese immigrants are treated. Clementine's family has a servant that is more like a beloved family member to the women, but in daring to protect them he places his own life at risk.
Score: 3 out of 5
To suggest other titles to the committee, please email newberysuggestions@kcls.org.
I know I shouldn't say it, but the cover...ugh! Surely they could have come up with something less...drab. Interesting story line for those who can see past the cover and give it a chance.
Gregory paints a vivid picture of life in the Idaho Territory during the 1860s, and fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel. Clementine's pursuit a career in medicine at a time when it was unheard of for women is an empowering story for young girls. The strongest, most hardworking characters in this novel are female - Clementine's mother, for example, is the one who holds the family together while her father spends most of his time gambling and drinking. I thought the novel's loose ends were tied together a little too abruptly and unconvincingly at the end, but otherwise it was an enjoyable read. My rating: 3.5 out of 5.