Call Me Floy

by Joanna Cooke

In this coming-of-age novel, a headstrong girl persists against expectations, following her dream in nineteenth century Yosemite. Florence "Floy" Hutchings is the daughter of a famous father, and while the extra attention that brings is not unwelcome, all she really wants is to be herself. However, in 1876 being clever, confident, and bold is not expected of girls on the cusp of turning twelve. Stuck in a stuffy classroom in crowded San Francisco, Floy longs to return to the majestic mountain valley where she was born and where she has always felt Yosemite! Upon returning to her beloved valley, Floy finds that it is changing in confusing the intimate paradise she once knew is opening to more visitors and to troubling attitudes about her indigenous friends and about what girls should and should not do. Yet, against this backdrop of change, Floy pursues her dream of climbing the indomitable Half Dome. Steeped in the rich atmosphere of old Yosemite and based on real people and true events, Call Me Floy is about a girl who follows her dream up the steepest path imaginable.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Historical, Nature

192 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call Me Floy held me captive between its pages as soon as I read the line, “Half Dome is an altar to the stars and heavens above, and I must find a way to climb it, despite everything. If I don’t reach the top, something might always be missing inside me.” There is a great promise made in those words, a promise of beautiful, vivid language, and of a young character headed for a great adventure. Both kids and adults will recognize that feeling, that passion for something seemingly unattainable that we absolutely must have or achieve. I sank into this story quickly and loved every page.


Nearly twelve year old Florence Hutchings (who prefers to called Floy as her given name feels far too fussy), has an attachment to Yosemite where she lived before the opening of the story, and a dream she cannot shake to climb Half Dome - a dream as real as her own heartbeat. When the story opens, she and her family are now living in mid-1800’s San Francisco, but Yosemite is never far from her mind and directs nearly everything she does. When the way clears and she is able to go back with her family, she secretly resolves to live out her dream to make the climb, regardless of the danger or the odds of success.

There are so many moments in this story that moved me to tears, that made me laugh out loud, and that made me root for this heroine from page one until the end. The language is appropriate for kids to adults and add to the strong sense of place throughout the novel. Floy is a girl who feels very out of place and is struggling to find her way a time when girls were expected to ride sidesaddle in a dress and take up sewing, rather than galloping a horse through the night in pants and mountain climbing. These challenges are relevant to kids today and I am adding this to the list of Must-Reads for my parent-child bookclub. I recommend this book for all ages. Well done!

[Yapha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the early years after Yosemite Valley is designated a national park through the eyes of the first white American born there. The book description led me to believe there would be more than just a few sentences about the native Californians living there and how they were affected by the increasing number of tourists. Unfortunately, I didn't find Floy a very likable character and I was left with more questions than answers about some other points mentioned in the book. For grades 4 & up.

[Marta-Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Floy Hutchings longs to climb Yosemite's iconic Half Dome and struggles with the expectations that come with becoming a young lady in the 19th Century. Based on the actual Hutchings family and other real people from the era, the novel gives you a glimpse at a historical moment in Yosemite's time. For adventure seekers and nature lovers who would rather be roaming the wild than confined in a classroom.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice historical fiction book about Yosemite, and specifically the mountain peak Half Dome. The text was a little hard to read and felt flat sometimes. I wish the story would have expounded on the character of Sally Ann and her family. This novel did renew my interest in going to see Yosemite some day soon.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the basic components of this story, but it wasn't anything beyond average for me. It is based on a very interesting historical girl and her contemporaries, and that aspect added something to the story itself.

[Michele Redman · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a preteen audience, with a love of the outdoors, especially Yosemite. Back to a time when 2000 visitors was considered a crowd, the meadow flooded, and Half Dome presided. Story of dedication, courage, and achievement

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love this but didn't.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m biased because I love Yosemite, but that’s exactly why I loved this book! Cooke’s writing captured, as much as is possible, the beauty and grandeur of Yosemite, as well as the emotions and wonder one feels when exploring it.

This was a short read, but with its quick yet vivid descriptions, I feel as though I just visited Yosemite. Now I really want to!