Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Molly's been unfairly dismissed from her maid's position. She has nowhere to go, until she hears about a nursing opportunity. She doesn't have much experience, though, and thus she's rejected from the girls and women picked for Miss Nightingale's staff.
But Molly's determined to make it and sneaks onto the ship with the rest of the group. Most of the women aboard become sea sick due to the rough waters. Molly and another girl help any way they can and attempt to clean up the messes. Due to this, upon arrival, Molly's allowed to join the nursing staff.
She soon learns that Miss Nightingale keeps strict rules. Anyone caught breaking those rules will be sent home.
Molly tends to the soldiers as best she can - helping to wrap bandages, assisting the doctors, wiping the brows of the injured, and talking to them in an attempt to keep them calm. Although the work is tough and the conditions even harder, she knows that she's making a difference.
However, Molly doesn't always follow the rules. Lately, it's getting harder and harder to remain angelic. Will her actions cost her this amazing position?
I found the politics of the hospital and the battle for improving the conditions of the wounded fascinating. I loved the in-depth look at both nursing and Miss Nightingale's character. This subject is not found often in YA literature, and it is a great tool for learning more about the time period. IN THE SHADOW OF THE LAMP is a wonderful look at the Crimean War - filled with the horrors of fighting, friendships among the nurses, and even the possibility of romance.
Molly's been unfairly dismissed from her maid's position. She has nowhere to go, until she hears about a nursing opportunity. She doesn't have much experience, though, and thus she's rejected from the girls and women picked for Miss Nightingale's staff.
But Molly's determined to make it and sneaks onto the ship with the rest of the group. Most of the women aboard become sea sick due to the rough waters. Molly and another girl help any way they can and attempt to clean up the messes. Due to this, upon arrival, Molly's allowed to join the nursing staff.
She soon learns that Miss Nightingale keeps strict rules. Anyone caught breaking those rules will be sent home.
Molly tends to the soldiers as best she can - helping to wrap bandages, assisting the doctors, wiping the brows of the injured, and talking to them in an attempt to keep them calm. Although the work is tough and the conditions even harder, she knows that she's making a difference.
However, Molly doesn't always follow the rules. Lately, it's getting harder and harder to remain angelic. Will her actions cost her this amazing position?
I found the politics of the hospital and the battle for improving the conditions of the wounded fascinating. I loved the in-depth look at both nursing and Miss Nightingale's character. This subject is not found often in YA literature, and it is a great tool for learning more about the time period. IN THE SHADOW OF THE LAMP is a wonderful look at the Crimean War - filled with the horrors of fighting, friendships among the nurses, and even the possibility of romance.
