River, Cross My Heart
by Breena Clarke
River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke holds a mixed reviews rating of 3.47 out of 5, based on 11.6K reader ratings. First published in 1999. The book spans 245 pages.
About River, Cross My Heart
The acclaimed bestseller -- a selection of Oprah's Book Club -- that brings vividly to life the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, circa 1925, and a community reeling from a young girl's tragic death.When five-year-old Clara Bynum drowns in the Potomac River under a seemingly haunted rock outcropping known locally as the Three Sisters, the community must reconcile themselves to the bitter tragedy.
Clarke powerful charts the fallout from Clara's death on the people she has left behind: her parents, Alice and Willie Bynum, torn between the old world of their rural North Carolina home and the new world of the city; the friends and relatives of the Bynum family in the Georgetown neighborhood they now call home; and, most especially, Clara's sister, ten-year-old Johnnie Mae, who is thrust into adolescence and must come to terms with the terrible and confused emotions stirred by her sister's death. This highly accomplished debut novel reverberates with ideas, impassioned lyricism, and poignant historical detail as it captures an essential and moving portrait of the Washington, DC community.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Breena Clarke |
| Published | 1999 |
| Pages | 245 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.47 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 11,642 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is River, Cross My Heart?
River, Cross My Heart is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is River, Cross My Heart worth reading?
Based on 11.6K reader ratings, River, Cross My Heart has an average score of 3.47 out of 5.00, which is considered "Mixed Reviews."
How many pages is River, Cross My Heart?
River, Cross My Heart has 245 pages.
Who wrote River, Cross My Heart?
River, Cross My Heart was written by Breena Clarke. It was first published in 1999.
What is the ISBN for River, Cross My Heart?
The ISBN-13 for River, Cross My Heart is 9780316899990.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
