 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance
- By Marthe Jocelyn
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
History, adventure, and women's rights for 10+.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book takes place in 1901 in rural Sellerton, Ontario. In the course of the novel, President McKinley is shot and killed, which causes Mable to reflect on her own feelings over her father's death. Also, there's a description of women being exploited as workers at a cheesemaking factory, their ensuing protests, and their arrests. One woman is pushed, hits her head, and becomes unconscious. There are also very innocent flirtations between girls and boys in class. This book serves as a enjoyable introduction to turn-of-the-century history, fictionalized for ages 10+.
What's the story?
Mable and her sister Viola move to Sellerton, Ontario in 1901 when Viola is hired to work as the local teacher. Mable is to support her sister and help in the classroom with the younger children. They board at a dairy farm and quickly become topics of conversation in town. Some have reservations about a young female teacher. While her sister is pious, Mable is adventuresome and becomes friendly with a suffragette who lives by herself. When she learns of this woman's plan to help the exploited female workers at a local cheese factory, she wants to help, too.
Is it any good?
Told through a diary, letters, poems, and a character-written story, MABLE RILEY presents a strong, likeable character, and though the story is told in old-fashioned prose, Mable remains very relatable to tweens today. Like many 14-year-old girls, Mable is still learning about herself, her world, and how to face her problems -- all this making for an interesting story for young readers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about this period in history. How were the roles of women different? Would you have liked to go to school during that time?
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Loving this book!
Mable Riley has caught me in her web of twists and turns and won't let go. The book was fun to read, and I couldn't put it down. Even though it is set in the year 1901, I felt a real connection with Mable, Viola, Mrs. Rattle, and all of the others, too. If your looking for real humdrum, peril, and romance, this is the book!
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| Author: | Marthe Jocelyn |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | February 12, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 288 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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