In the Shadow of the Lamp

Gr 7—10—Dunlap masterfully employs the history of Florence Nightingale's courageous mission on the front lines during the Crimean War in 1854 as the setting for a compelling story. Unjustly dismissed as a maid in London, 16-year-old Molly Fraser jumps at the chance to become a nurse with Florence Nightingale. When rejected as unqualified for the position, she sneaks into the group of young women who have been chosen and makes the journey. Molly is a gritty, intelligent character whose inner strength enables her to stay focused on her goal. Dunlap's well-drawn characters and graphic prose hook readers from the outset. Vivid descriptions of the filthy conditions of the medical facilities, including incredible stench, rats, and lice, and the horror of ministering to severely wounded and maimed soldiers form the backdrop for this story of a teen trying to make her way in a world in which women are second-class citizens. The nurses must abide by a strict code of behavior, and any fraternization with the soldiers or male staff is forbidden. Nightingale's strictness, however, results in innovative and life-saving nursing practices. Though Molly is determined to succeed, she cannot stop herself from falling in love with a doctor and with Will, who helped her after she lost her job in London. This appealing selection is well-researched historical fiction, a keen look at the status of women at the time, and an enjoyable romance.—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ