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howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Read 2011: This book was very well-written, with vivid descriptions and language both child and adult can enjoy. A lot of Cleary's childhood is inspiration for her books, and it always made me smile when I read a bit that had been adapted into one of her stories. Cleary grew up during the depression, and this book covers that time until she leaves for college (where her next book picks up). For addressing a sometimes-difficult childhood, the book lacked emotion, which might be because of the distance from her childhood, or because she's learned to let a lot of hurt feelings go. A must-read for any Cleary fan, as well as those who have an interest in the Depression era.
Re-read 2021: Beverly Cleary shares her childhood up through high school graduation in the first installment of her autobiography. She includes a lot of historical information about her pioneer ancestors. When she wrote about her early childhood on the farm, I could see where a lot of Emily's Runaway Imagination came from.
These memories reminded me a lot of my maternal grandmother, too. She grew up on a farm and was close to the same age as Cleary. We had read some Cleary books together, including Emily's Runaway Imagination, so I had my grandmother's memories going through my head as I read this book. It made for a very cozy experience.
Cleary's story is touching and real and interesting. She is very honest about her childhood and her relationship with her mother. As she grew into a teenager, I could see where some of the subject matter for her YA books came from as well. Her writing style in this book is just as natural as it is in her fiction books.
Re-read 2021: Beverly Cleary shares her childhood up through high school graduation in the first installment of her autobiography. She includes a lot of historical information about her pioneer ancestors. When she wrote about her early childhood on the farm, I could see where a lot of Emily's Runaway Imagination came from.
These memories reminded me a lot of my maternal grandmother, too. She grew up on a farm and was close to the same age as Cleary. We had read some Cleary books together, including Emily's Runaway Imagination, so I had my grandmother's memories going through my head as I read this book. It made for a very cozy experience.
Cleary's story is touching and real and interesting. She is very honest about her childhood and her relationship with her mother. As she grew into a teenager, I could see where some of the subject matter for her YA books came from as well. Her writing style in this book is just as natural as it is in her fiction books.
cuocuo's review against another edition
4.0
I really need to re-read this. Mum read this, and the sequel [b:My Own Two Feet: A Memoir|401991|My Own Two Feet A Memoir|Beverly Cleary|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174447404s/401991.jpg|2029620], aloud to me back in the day. While I remember enjoying it, I think I'd get more out of it now.
meenakshimadhavan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
katebelt's review against another edition
5.0
Well written and very enjoyable, fascinating memoir of growing up during the 1930s depression in Portland, Oregon. Love her children's books, loved learning about her life. Since this story ends with her h.s. graduation, I'd love to have a sequel about her college years and adult life. The focus of Girl From Yamhill is the difficult relationship she had with her mother. I think this is classified as a YA or children's book, depending where you look, but it reads like an adult story to me.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
5.0
A Girl from Yamhill is the first of two memoirs children's author Beverly Cleary wrote about her early life. It was my nonfiction pick for #MiddleGradeMarch over on Instagram. Interestingly though, after reading it, I'm questioning whether it's middle grade after all! Compared with her humorous tales of everyday life with Henry, Beezus, and Ramona on Klickitat Street, Cleary's childhood during the Great Depression is darker and sadder. There is still humor, of course, but her memoir is more realistic than idealistic in its worldview. Despite subject headings on the copyright page labeling it "juvenile nonfiction" it's as though the memoir is really written for those who loved her fiction books as kids to read once they've grown up.
The most fascinating thing for me was learning how many of the events and relationships in Cleary's novels were drawn from real life experiences. Though Cleary rarely comes out and states how a real life event influenced a fictional one, many of the connections are very obvious. I also found it interesting that Cleary had neither the supportive, loving mother nor the exasperating older sister which appear in the Ramona books.
I would definitely exercise caution in sharing this book with kids under 12. There are quite a few topics covered that require a bit or maturity to handle, including a miscarriage, an uncle who makes sexual advances, and a much older boyfriend whose unsettling presence is encouraged by Cleary's mother. Beverly Clearly handles these things tastefully, but she also doesn't shy away from the truth of the impact of these events on her well-being.
For me, though, this was a clear five-star read. I'm eagerly anticipating reading the follow-up memoir, My Own Two Feet (1995).
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
The most fascinating thing for me was learning how many of the events and relationships in Cleary's novels were drawn from real life experiences. Though Cleary rarely comes out and states how a real life event influenced a fictional one, many of the connections are very obvious. I also found it interesting that Cleary had neither the supportive, loving mother nor the exasperating older sister which appear in the Ramona books.
I would definitely exercise caution in sharing this book with kids under 12. There are quite a few topics covered that require a bit or maturity to handle, including a miscarriage, an uncle who makes sexual advances, and a much older boyfriend whose unsettling presence is encouraged by Cleary's mother. Beverly Clearly handles these things tastefully, but she also doesn't shy away from the truth of the impact of these events on her well-being.
For me, though, this was a clear five-star read. I'm eagerly anticipating reading the follow-up memoir, My Own Two Feet (1995).
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
cinerdy's review against another edition
2.0
I love Beverly Cleary but was pretty disappointed in this. I could Cleary see where some of her book ideas came from--Emily from Emily's Runaway Imagination, and some events in the Ramona books, but the book ended as she started college and I didn't find out when she began writing in earnest, or when her twins were born. It just left me wanting much more.
achristinething's review against another edition
5.0
If you loved Romona Quimby, then you'd love this autobiography. Can't wait to read [bc:My Own Two Feet: A Memoir|401991|My Own Two Feet A Memoir|Beverly Cleary|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174447404s/401991.jpg|2029620]
nikkibd4033's review against another edition
4.0
Full review at the blog:
https://whatireadbackthen.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/remember-your-pioneer-ancestors-or-a-girl-from-yamhill/
https://whatireadbackthen.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/remember-your-pioneer-ancestors-or-a-girl-from-yamhill/
kathleenitpdx's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a real treat. Beverly Cleary applies her excellent ability to write from a child's perspective to her own life--a child's joy in exploring the world, her puzzlement at adults' ways, and her own logic that leaves adults scratching their heads. The book gives us a clear understanding of what it was like to grow up during the Depression. And for those of us who know the Portland area some fun glimpses of a by-gone era.
janetlun's review against another edition
Happened across this memoir by a Portland author of childrens' books and picked it up. It ends when she's a young woman. I found it an interesting portrait of life in Portland in the 20s and 30s.