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Across a Broken Shore

$14.99

In 1936 San Francisco, eighteen-year-old Willa MacCarthy is bound for the convent. But when she discovers her love of medicine, she will defy her family and work with a female doctor to care for those building the Golden Gate Bridge. Preview this book.

Description

The last thing eighteen-year-old Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy wants is to be a nun. It’s 1936, and as the only daughter amongst four sons, her Irish–Catholic family is counting on her to take her vows—but Willa’s found another calling. Each day she sneaks away to help Doctor Katherine Winston in her medical clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District.

Keeping secrets from her family only becomes more complicated when Willa agrees to help the doctor at a field hospital near the new bridge being built over the Golden Gate. Willa thinks she can handle her new chaotic life, but as she draws closer to a dashing young ironworker and risks grow at the bridge, she discovers that hiding from what she truly wants may be her biggest lie of all.

Additional information

Format

Paperback

The last thing eighteen-year-old Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy wants is to be a nun. It’s 1936, and as the only daughter amongst four sons, her Irish–Catholic family is counting on her to take her vows—but Willa’s found another calling. Each day she sneaks away to help Doctor Katherine Winston in her medical clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District. Keeping secrets from her family only becomes more complicated when Willa agrees to help the doctor at a field hospital near the new bridge being built over the Golden Gate. Willa thinks she can handle her new chaotic life, but as she draws closer to a dashing young ironworker and risks grow at the bridge, she discovers that hiding from what she truly wants may be her biggest lie of all.

Lexile: 580L
Copyright: 2019
Page Count: 352
Trim Size: 5.25 x 8
Rights Territory: Worldwide
Categories:
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Coming of Age
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / General

Amy Trueblood grew up in California only ten minutes from Disneyland which sparked an early interest in storytelling. As the youngest of five, she spent most of her time trying to find a quiet place to curl up with her favorite books. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism, she worked in entertainment in Los Angeles before returning to work in Arizona. Fueled by good coffee and an awesome Spotify playlist, you can often find Amy working on the next post for her blog, Chasing the Crazies.

Reviews and Awards

“Trueblood expertly portrays life in Depression-era San Francisco through the eyes of a young woman.” — School Library Journal

“The history of the bridge, women in medicine, and family life will have great appeal.”
Booklist

“The author weaves a beautiful story of a nation struggling to care for its citizens, wanderers looking for a place to call home, young women finding new ways to gain independence, and the importance of love and family in seeing one through life’s struggles. Highly recommended.” — School Library Connection

A 2019 Junior Library Guild selection

A 2020 Amelia Bloomer List selection

2020 IPPY Award Gold Medalist (Historical Fiction)

2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards – Gold Medalist (Young Adult Fiction – Historical/Cultural)

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