HISTORICAL FICTION - THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1996. THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395728061

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This historical fiction novel tells a story that takes place in 1849, about a young girl named California Morning Whipple. She tells the story of how her mother moved her and her siblings from the perfect home in Massachusetts to a wild new land in California. California renamed herself Lucy, meets strange new friends, loses her brother, and longs to go back home to her grandparents. In the end, her family moves on while she chooses to stay and help “tame” the land.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman weaves an irresistible novel told through the eyes of twelve year old Lucy. Lucy tells of the heartaches and struggles of adapting to a “new” land. We see the feminine side through her and her mother of taming the “wild west” in a quick thrown together town that is made up of mostly tents. The language and dialogue used throughout the novel help to develop the characters befitting of an unsettled mining town when they use sayings such as “fitted her like a shoe two sizes too small,” “Fetch us,” and “Lord-a-mercy.” Lucy grows up quite a bit by the end of the story. She goes from a girl who daydreams and writes letters of home, to a young lady who thinks of ways to better her new home with a town library. Cushman’s novel accurately portrays the time, as proven through her research that can be found at the end of the book. A classic coming of age story that will be delightful and intriguing for those who pick it up.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST starred review: “With zest and wit, Cushman gives us the domestic side of the western frontier adventure.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Cushman's heroine is a delightful character, and the historical setting is authentically portrayed.”
HORN BOOK starred review: “Her language energizes and humanizes this story of the women and children who came not to strike it rich but to tame the land for their home.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* This book can easily bridge the gap of student’s interest between the facts and statistics of history and enjoyable literature. Will help bring the Wild West alive.
* Students can create, name, and construct their own “wild west” town.
*Other books about the California Gold Rush:
Dunn, Joeming W. THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. ISBN 9781602700765
Raum, Elizabeth. THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH: AN INTERACTIVE HISTORY ADVENTURE. ISBN 9781429601603