The Ballad of Lucy Whipple

Bibliographic Data: 

 

Cushman, Karen. 1996. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN 9780395728062

Plot Summary:

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple begins during the year of 1849 and continues with a first person account in which the main character, California Morning Whipple, communicates her experiences of the California gold rush over a three year period. California, who prefers to be called Lucy because California is “an unfortunate name”, has been uprooted from a life she has always known in Massachusetts and thrust into the dirty, uncivilized landscape of Lucky Diggins, a newly formed gold mining community in California. California’s mother sets up a boarding house for the local miners and the family must all earn their keep as the town of Lucky Diggins grows. A fire threatens to break the spirit of Lucky Diggins and California is faced with the decision of whether or not fulfill her initial dream of returning to Massachusetts or stay and become a part of rebuilding the town.

Critical Analysis:

Seeing the California gold rush through a young girl’s eyes is something most would not expect. Many of those involved during this period of American history were mostly men and those who had the notion to attain wealth very quickly.  Author Karen Cushman includes a thoughtful Author’s Note including historical consideration attributing to the reliability of the details within the novel. Cushman incorporates vivid imagery of the conditions of the time and the narrative written through the eyes of the fictitious character, California/Lucy, is one that is descriptive and relatable. The town of Lucky Diggins provides a gritty backdrop to enhance the authenticity relating to the environment of the time. California/Lucy‘s strength grows as the narrative progresses and the young, immature girl who first came to California becomes a determined, independent young woman able to channel her passions into progress.

Awards:

Friends of Children and Literature (FOCAL) Award, 1998

 

Review Excerpt(s):

Kirkus, Starred Review, 1996:

“With a story that is less a period piece than a timeless and richly comic coming-of-age story, Cushman remains on a roll.”

 

Booklist, Starred Review, August 1996:

“With zest and wit, Cushman gives us the domestic side of the western frontier adventure--what it was like for women and especially children.”

 

Connections:

* There are several topics within the novel including dealing with death, racial injustice, and gaining personal independence. Discuss each and why they are important to recognize.

* California/Lucy wrote many letters to her family in Massachusetts detailing the hardships she was facing in California. Have students construct a letter telling about their thoughts and feelings about a hard time they have gone through or might be going through. What do they not like about the situation? Why is it difficult?

*Other young adult novels about the gold rush:

 Avi. Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West. ISBN 1423105192  

Olson, Tod. How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush: An Adventurer’s Guide to the Fabulous Riches Discovered in 1848. ISBN 9781426303159

Gregory, Kristiana. Seeds of Hope: The Gold Rush Diary of Susanna Fairchild, California Territory 1849. ISBN 0590511572