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Our Only May Amelia (by Jennifer L. Holm)

common sense media says

A historical novel set in the Pacific Northwest.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that though May Amelia is a girl, this book has boy appeal too; six brothers and a male cousin share in her adventures. The drawings add to the book's appeal.

Violence: May Amelia is blamed by her grandmother for the death of her baby sister.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Our Only May Amelia

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the differences -- and similarities -- between daily life 100 years ago and today. What do you imagine life would be like without modern inventions like television, computers, and telephones?

What's the story?

What's the story?
May Amelia hates to be told, "Behave like a proper young lady." She works on the farm as hard as any boy. Her birthday wish is for a little sister, but when baby Amy dies, she goes "grief mad" and runs away. Based on tales from her own family, author Jennifer L. Holm creates a believable heroine in a realistic historical setting.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This historical novel captures the harsh and lonely life of a girl living in the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century. The author builds excitement and suspense into each chapter: Chased by an angry mother bear and a cougar and nearly swept away by logs sent downriver from a logging camp, May Amelia seems to remain alive only by virtue of a string of luck. And readers learn that some things don't change in a hundred years: Brothers and sisters argue, parents set rules, and children run away.

To write this story, Holm delved into her family history: Her great-grandfather was one of the first Finnish-American settlers in the Nasel River Valley, but it was her grand-aunt's diary that inspired the title character.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Publication date: January 1, 1999
Number of pages: 251
Hardcover price: $0.00
Paperback price: $5.99

This review was written by Wesley Sharpe
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

mccatcher7
teen, 16 years old
 
Tween Book
I liked this book. I had to read it for school and do a book report for school, and I ended up liking the book.

magicman102
kid, 11 years old
 
I love this book our teacher read it to us one of the best books but i hate Grandmother Patience

HelloKitty lover
kid, 13 years old
 
The Awesome Book
Our Only May Amelia, is a awesome book.It gives you a word about the pass and tells you how to be nice and not mean.I say that the middle and the end because of the drama and the effects, but the beginning is good also, but if you don't like the first chapter don't stop keep going.so take my word and read it,it's awesome and will teach you a good lesson for school. so tell your friends and family about this book.

Banana Monkey
kid, 11 years old
 
A Good Book
Our Only May Amelia was a good book. It told you about the old days . Things I did' not like are that they used words that we don't use now like Chinoke or Nasle.It was a good story.I like I like how they use a boat instead of a plain

PaiPai16
kid, 11 years old
 
Great Book!
This book didn't look interesting to me when I was first recommended it, but about 50 pages in, the book was exiting and a fun read.

buuchie
kid, 11 years old
 
may amelia
may amelia is a advintrous girl with 6 bros. and a cuzen who treats her like a sister. even though its about a girl, men and young boys will love it just as my daughter did

Birdy123654
kid, 11 years old
 
hi my name is destinee ariel roberts
this book is amazing you should read it awesome

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ON: Content is 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