The Warden's Daughter

I think my heart might explode into bits, this book was so incredibly moving.Spinelli outdoes himself with this exquisite blend of historical fiction, family drama, and mystery.Cammie is a delight from the first page, with her quippy wit and bravery, she steals the show and it is easy for the ready to jump right into her heart and want what she wants.The plot is a lovely meandering of twists and turns and the reader begins to long for answers in much the same way that Cammie is searching....for what will fill her heart.The ending is phenomenal and a total surprise and the bits and pieces of historical elements make the reader especially nostalgic because growing up without a mother in 1959 would be especially lonesome for a young girl.But Cammie survives and thrives....and you'll be delighted to discover just how and why.Loved it.

Although Mr. Spinelli's books are geared more to young readers, I still enjoy them. Especially since I was born and raised in Norristown, PA (the subject town of this and his story "Maniac McGee"}. The life lessons learned by "The Warden's Daughter" should be required reading for all preteen and middle school readers...as well as their parents and teachers.. Don't miss this wonderful story.

I thought this book was interesting because 1) the main character lives in a prison and 2) I can relate to her anger about not having a mother. Book has many colorful characters woven into the fabric of her life. From "the jailbirds" to Boo Boo the convict you learn a lot about Cammie's inner demons. Well written, it kept me riveted throughout the book.

Such a good read, however is was much more mature than I anticipated. Due to a few aspects within the text this book won't make it into my elementary classroom library! Very good for middle school- high school!

Great quick read! My mother in law recommended this book, and I'm going to share it!

This story was captivating from the beginning. The ending comes as a surprise.

She made me laugh she made me cry. Rich characters that brought me to tears on more than one occasion

My favorite part of the book was the ending when all the questions and suspense led up to. My least favorite part was when Cammie went through a bad stage of her life and did bad things.

Yes, I admit, I expected something like Stargirls sister, or Maniac Magees Cousin or something like that, as I hold those two Spinelli books so dearly and read them again and again every year.This book was OK. Not as happy and deep as Stargirl, not as wonderfully weird as Maniac, more of a quiet, sad-ish story with happy bits. I liked the whole story of the relationship that was or could have been between the wardens daughter and the inmate-mother-figure and I found it very unsatisfying at the same time. But maybe thats exactly what Spinelli wanted us to feel, because it wasn't supposed to be a feel-good-sunshine story.I guess what "bothered" me the most, was that I didn't feel connected to the protagonist and that always makes it hard for me to love a book.I do think that I will read it again and maybe understand it more the next time.