Reviewed by Safia Abdul for TeensReadToo.com

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. ( )

Set in a poor coal town, Willa, our heroine, has to take on more responsibility tham a teenage girl should have to. Her father and older brother have leave the town to make money. Willa is lucky to have support from a missionary who sees in Willa a stronger person than even she sees in herself.
It is an uplifting story, as is her other book, "The Midwifes Tale". Gretchen Laskas already weaves wonderful storyies. She may become a great one but only time will tell. ( )

Willa's life is hard. Her father is a coal miner and work is uncertain the great depression. Her whole family yearns for a better life, but they get by the best they can. They are offered a chance to move to a new town created by the federal government. Lifde was hard, but change has its price as well. ( )