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June 05, 2017

The Warden’s Daughter

The Warden’s Daughter

By: Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli

Cammie O’Reilly, aka Cannonball or the Little Warden, lives with her father, the Warden, above the county jail.  While her best friend has discovered lipstick and American Bandstand, Cammie just wants to play baseball with the boys.  She spends her mornings in the woman’s yard with an inmate named BooBoo who shoplifts and tells outrageous stories while another inmate, Eloda the fire starter, comes each day to take care of her every need.  Her life is exactly the way she wants it with one exception… she doesn’t have a mother. But that’s all about to change because Cammie has a plan.

You will fall in love with this little mischief-maker as she barrels toward her 13th birthday hurling closer and closer to the moment when she will be forced to face her grief and her demons. Jerry Spinelli has written a compelling coming-of-age story with a heartwarming twist at the end.  This story is appropriate for ages 9 and up.

Review By: Julie Armstrong