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pbraue13's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing how someone who grew up over 100 years ago still feels so relatable and present today and imbued her own characters of her children’s books with the same relatability. There’s a lot of love in this book and a lot of searching for love and tenderness from a parent who couldn’t give it. Hence why Cleary gave children characters they could relate to and love even when their parents made them feel unloved because they weren’t perfect. She gave those children her tenderness and understanding as she understood what it was like to be a child and misunderstood. Similar to Judy Blume she has perfect and total recall of her childhood and this memoir is a gem!
4.5/5 stars!
4.5/5 stars!
jenmat1197's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This is Beverly's own chilhood story. She was born in a small town in Oregon, called Yamhill, but at the age of 6, her family had enough for hard farm life and moved to Portland where she spent most of her young life. Through this book she talks about what it is like to grow up an only child in the early 1900s, through the depression and with a mother she felt never really understood her. This book follows her through her graduation of high school and acceptance to junior college.
This was an interesting book. I didn't know anything about Beverly Cleary's upbringing, and the anecdotes she shares throughout this book gave a good picture of what it was like for her growing up. She didn't seem to have a lot of fond memories of her mother - but she did seem to adre her father. I am glad I found this one through a book challenge.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed learning about Beverly Cleary through this book, the first of her memoirs. The first part, which focuses on her youngest years living on a farm in Yamhill, is funny, sweet, and delightful. As Cleary grows up and her family suffers, both financially and emotionally, through the Depression, the book gets grimmer. Still, it provides a fascinating look at what life was like for the average person in Portland, Oregon, in the 1930's. Reading about Cleary's early experiences with reading and writing is also interesting as it sets the stage for her later years as an author. A GIRL FROM YAMHILL is a quick read, full of funny, poignant, and interesting vignettes from Cleary's early life. I enjoyed it and am eager to read the next book, MY OWN TWO FEET.
tarugani's review against another edition
4.0
Rambling, but a joy.
I might be suffering whiplash, jumping from Vicious straight into this. 😹
I might be suffering whiplash, jumping from Vicious straight into this. 😹
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“’Our children need and are entitled to the use of a library just as much as city children are.’ Crates of books began to arrive from the Oregon State Library in Salem. At last Yamhill had books for children—and what good books they were! The first I recall was Joseph Jacobs’s More English Fairy Tales, which included a gruesome little tale called “The Hobyahs.” I was so attached to that story that Mother had to pry the book out of my fingers at bedtime. Books by Beatrix Potter were among the many that came out of those state library crates. My favorite was The Tailor of Gloucester, not only because I loved the story, but because of the picture of the waistcoat so beautifully embroidered by mice.”
I was sad to hear that Beverly Cleary had died. I realized I did not know much about her, just her characters. I figured her autobiography would be a good place to start. Not surprisingly, this book is well written. I was also not surprised that Cleary told everything about her childhood – the good and the bad. The one surprise I got was that this memoir is not written at a child’s reading level. Or at least at the level I expected. I think this book would be difficult for many kids to read.
I am sorry that Cleary’s mother was not the most nurturing woman, and that Cleary had a difficult life. Even though I have been told about the depression my whole life, I am still gaining understanding about how hard life really was. Cleary’s parents had a terrible time adjusting to change – that much is clear. I hope that adult life was easier on Cleary.
I was sad to hear that Beverly Cleary had died. I realized I did not know much about her, just her characters. I figured her autobiography would be a good place to start. Not surprisingly, this book is well written. I was also not surprised that Cleary told everything about her childhood – the good and the bad. The one surprise I got was that this memoir is not written at a child’s reading level. Or at least at the level I expected. I think this book would be difficult for many kids to read.
I am sorry that Cleary’s mother was not the most nurturing woman, and that Cleary had a difficult life. Even though I have been told about the depression my whole life, I am still gaining understanding about how hard life really was. Cleary’s parents had a terrible time adjusting to change – that much is clear. I hope that adult life was easier on Cleary.
toddlleopold's review against another edition
4.0
Amiable, but with long stretches of dullness. The early and later chapters are the best.
egould1's review against another edition
4.0
Cleary’s memoir was very interesting. She recorded so much of her childhood, it becomes obvious that she was destined to become the author of children’s books.