Common Sense Media Review
A historical novel set in the Pacific Northwest.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a mixed experience; some find it compelling and educational, appreciating the character of May Amelia and her adventures, while others are disturbed by its darker themes, such as the death of a baby and a harsh grandmother. Despite these contrasting opinions, many readers agree that it offers valuable lessons and is suitable for a wide audience, including younger kids and tweens.
- engaging character
- dark themes
- valuable lessons
- suitable for all
- adventure and friendship
- emotional impact
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
This historical novel vividly 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Family Life
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTrophy
- Publication date : January 1, 1999
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 251
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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