The Ballad of Lucy Whipple

Name: The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: Karen Cushman
ISBN: 9781436136938

Author: Karen Cushman

Narrator: Christina Moore

Unabridged: 4 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 06/06/2008

Categories: Children's Fiction

Synopsis

In the summer of 1849, Lucy Whipple's mother packs up her household and her two young children, and leaves their home in Massachusetts for the gold fields of California. Moving is the last thing the outspoken twelve-year-old, Lucy, wants to do. Reaching California, the Whipples set up a crude boardinghouse, and Lucy is put to work washing, cleaning, and baking pies in the rough mining town of Lucky Diggins. There are no books, no school-nothing but dust and drunken miners. With each day, the homesick Lucy is more and more determined to take life into her own hands and return to New England. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple is her firsthand account of her struggles in a rough and tumble land. Newbery Award-winning author Karen Cushman paints a vivid picture of life in the gold fields. Dispelling the idea that only men went there to seek their fortune, Cushman focuses on the women and families who created homes and towns from a harsh landscape. Karen Cushman's other books include Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice.

About Karen Cushman

Karen Cushman's acclaimed historical novels include Catherine, Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor winner, and The Midwife's Apprentice, which received the Newbery Medal. She lives on Vashon Island in Washington State. Visit her online at karencushman.com and on Twitter @cushmanbooks.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kristen on June 30, 2008

We listened to this book on tape on a drive. I have to get stories that are kid friendly, and this one did not disappoint. I'd already read it, so I knew the kids would like it. California Morning Whipple has lost her father and little sister, and now must move to California itself from her beloved......more

Goodreads review by Ginger on June 23, 2013

This is a coming of age story about a young girl who is uprooted by her mother from Massachusetts to the wild west of California. Readers of all ages will enjoy this historical fiction piece. The story contains a strong female maternal figure in her Mother who was the one who made the decision to go......more

Goodreads review by Loanis on June 13, 2010

This is a wholesome story that begins in 1849 and set during the Westward Expansion and the California Gold Rush. Our main character is 12 year-old California Morning Whipple, whose life is unsettled when her widowed mother uproots her and her brother, Butte, and sisters Prairie and Sierra from thei......more

Goodreads review by Libby on July 28, 2011

Karen Cushman gives excellent voice to all her characters, but Lucy Whipple is one of my favorites. I relate to her negative view of change as she is grudgingly won over by a new place and people. Lucy, originally named California Morning Whipple, moves with her mother, brother and two sisters to a......more

Goodreads review by Aneasha on February 20, 2012

Genre:Historical Fiction Quick Book Summary Lucy Whipple and her family moved from Massachusetts to California by covered wagon. Her brother Butte died from a virus in the water. Lucy grew up and planned to go back to Massachusetts. Her mom got maried, moved to the Sandwich Islands, and Lucy decided t......more