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River Girl
In 1918 Claire Welch's father received a letter telling him he'd inherited a home near Happy Camp in the Klamath River Valley. He decided to move his family north from the San Francisco Bay Area to live in that house. Only young Claire objected, but she had no choice. She had to leave her dear friend, Emily, behind.
This book takes the family north from Antioch to Eureka, California, then into the hills and mountains of the far-northern wilderness. While living next to the Klamath River Claire is extremely lonely and desperate to find a friend. She meets a kind Chinese doctor, a woman living in a small cabin nearby, and prospectors looking for gold. She hunts for a rookery and a wild man, and finds friendship in the oddest places.
Written for children and teens ages 8 and up, and enjoyed by adults as well.
http://www.rivergirlclaire.com
This book takes the family north from Antioch to Eureka, California, then into the hills and mountains of the far-northern wilderness. While living next to the Klamath River Claire is extremely lonely and desperate to find a friend. She meets a kind Chinese doctor, a woman living in a small cabin nearby, and prospectors looking for gold. She hunts for a rookery and a wild man, and finds friendship in the oddest places.
Written for children and teens ages 8 and up, and enjoyed by adults as well.
http://www.rivergirlclaire.com
142 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2012
About the author
Linda Jo Martin
1 book89 followersHi, I'm a writer and blogger. I participate in the BookTube community of YouTube. My channel name is "Eldertalk."
http://youtube.com/@eldertalk
I started a group here on Goodreads in June 2021 - called California Reading - for those of us who like to read about California history and/or who like California fiction.
I like to read memoirs, history, clean fiction, and Christian literature (fiction and nonfiction).
http://youtube.com/@eldertalk
I started a group here on Goodreads in June 2021 - called California Reading - for those of us who like to read about California history and/or who like California fiction.
I like to read memoirs, history, clean fiction, and Christian literature (fiction and nonfiction).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 24, 2018
This book was a 4.5 star read for me! I know it's considered YA and I'm not into that, but the storytelling was really good. The thing that hooked me was the setting and the characters. I grew up in a rural area and found quite a bit of relatable scenes and situations in this book!
May 4, 2024
River Girl is a sweet middle grade story of a young girl called Claire who finds herself uprooted from her home and her best friend to go and live in the middle of the forest close to the town of Happy Camp.
The story begins in San Francisco in 1918 and follows Claire and her family as they start this new life. Claire struggles with loneliness and I guess this is really the crux of the story. To deal with the pain of feeling alone and finding friendship in the unexpected places.
The book features a good cast of characters but never feels rushed. The setting and countryside were beautifully described and there was just a touch of otherworldliness to the story. Can’t give too much away there. A nice surprise ending too.
Highly recommended 😊
The story begins in San Francisco in 1918 and follows Claire and her family as they start this new life. Claire struggles with loneliness and I guess this is really the crux of the story. To deal with the pain of feeling alone and finding friendship in the unexpected places.
The book features a good cast of characters but never feels rushed. The setting and countryside were beautifully described and there was just a touch of otherworldliness to the story. Can’t give too much away there. A nice surprise ending too.
Highly recommended 😊
December 1, 2012
Have you ever had to move away from the only home you’ve ever known, to a new place where everyone is a stranger? How did you feel when you had to leave behind your best friend and most of your personal belongings? Were you angry or happy, sad or excited?
Author Linda Jo Martin’s novel for middle grade readers, RIVER GIRL, is the story of nine-year-old Claire Welch whose life is suddenly turned upside down when her father, Elijah, inherits an estate on the Klamath River, at a town called Happy Camp. Even the doll her mother gives Claire cannot make up for having to leave her friend, Emily, and her home. Worse trouble awaits them on the journey to their new home. Elijah dies, leaving his widow, daughter Claire, and son, Toby, to fend for themselves. The year is 1918 when life was tough for most families, but especially so for a young widow and her children. The author gently tells Claire’s story and how she and her family make a new life for themselves in difficult circumstances, including a new father for Claire and Toby when their mother marries again. As most children do, Claire sometimes makes bad choices; she also learns from her mistakes.
RIVER GIRL reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie books. Not only does the reader meet a family trying to survive through death, illness, and a new land, the author paints a lovely historical picture of a simpler life without TV, computers, iPhones, and other luxuries we take for granted today. RIVER GIRL would make a nice addition to school classrooms for discussion, especially in history classes. I recommend Ms. Martin’s book for not only children but adults, too, who love history and/or stories about families.
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Author Linda Jo Martin’s novel for middle grade readers, RIVER GIRL, is the story of nine-year-old Claire Welch whose life is suddenly turned upside down when her father, Elijah, inherits an estate on the Klamath River, at a town called Happy Camp. Even the doll her mother gives Claire cannot make up for having to leave her friend, Emily, and her home. Worse trouble awaits them on the journey to their new home. Elijah dies, leaving his widow, daughter Claire, and son, Toby, to fend for themselves. The year is 1918 when life was tough for most families, but especially so for a young widow and her children. The author gently tells Claire’s story and how she and her family make a new life for themselves in difficult circumstances, including a new father for Claire and Toby when their mother marries again. As most children do, Claire sometimes makes bad choices; she also learns from her mistakes.
RIVER GIRL reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie books. Not only does the reader meet a family trying to survive through death, illness, and a new land, the author paints a lovely historical picture of a simpler life without TV, computers, iPhones, and other luxuries we take for granted today. RIVER GIRL would make a nice addition to school classrooms for discussion, especially in history classes. I recommend Ms. Martin’s book for not only children but adults, too, who love history and/or stories about families.
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November 5, 2013
This is a charming story about a young girl who is uprooted and left with no friends of her own age. In many ways it's a junior coming-of-age story, as she has to learn to deal with her own perceptions and "grow up" some in order to deal with her changing situation. (It's aimed at a much younger reader, mid-range or very young adult, so she can't "grow up" too much.) She learns some important lessons, yet there is no moralising and the book doesn't talk down.
It's a very good read for youngsters. There is a death, the cause of the change of situation, but other than that there is nothing to make them anxious. The plot is uncomplicated and moves forward steadily without rushing. It has a happy ending. It's a good length for shorter - or younger - attention spans.
If you're a parent or teacher searching out for comfortable, non-violent reading material for older kids or young teens, River Girl is certainly worth your time.
It's a very good read for youngsters. There is a death, the cause of the change of situation, but other than that there is nothing to make them anxious. The plot is uncomplicated and moves forward steadily without rushing. It has a happy ending. It's a good length for shorter - or younger - attention spans.
If you're a parent or teacher searching out for comfortable, non-violent reading material for older kids or young teens, River Girl is certainly worth your time.
June 3, 2013
interesting story of childhood in the mountains of Northern California. Karuk and Yurok Indian tribes and mining and loggong. Geared to young adult but still enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews