The Miner's Daughter
by Gretchen Moran Laskas
THE MINER'S DAUGHTER by Gretchen Moran Laskas
Category: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 2/07
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewed by: Safia Abdul
Rating: 5 Stars
In this tenderly crafted novel, Willa is a struggling sixteen-year-old girl living during the hard times of The Great
Depression. All of her life, Willa has lived in a mining camp where her father and older brother work as coal miners. As
economic conditions worsen and the coal mine shuts down, Willa's father and brother leave home to find a new job. This
leaves Willa responsible to take care of her younger siblings, her weakened mother, and the numerous household chores.
When Miss Grace, a missionary, arrives in town, Willa is about to experience some exciting new changes. With her best
friend, Roselia, they read through Miss Grace's vast collection of books and fantasize about life. But when Willa's father
becomes extremely ill and Willa has a rare chance to escape the mining camp, there are some big decisions Willa has to
make.
This novel was purely amazing and I read it in one sitting. Willa is one of the strongest fictional female characters I know.
She never gives up and shines with strength throughout the story to the very last page. With her, THE MINER'S
DAUGHTER is a perfect combination of family, friendship, and romance all set during the harshness of The Great
Depression. I would recommend this book to all girls going through tough times...it inspired me thoroughly.
