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rachaelmcgovern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
thebrookelist's review against another edition
3.0
The kids listened to the audiobook about rambunctious May Amelia and got a big kick out of her. Lily was especially drawn to the spunky little girl with so many brothers, wishing against all wishes for a baby sister. She was broken-hearted when the baby died, and loved on Elle a little more that day. I loved it a little less, but mostly because it was a bit slow and sometimes the small stories and happenings didn’t fit a clear story arc like I wanted them to. The ending was wildly rushed and I couldn’t believe it was wrapping up when it did. I think Lily and the boys learned some about brothers and sisters taking care of one another, and enjoyed it a bit more because of the similarities to Boston Jane.
bookdreamer's review against another edition
3.0
I revisited this book recently after I remembered how much I was captivated by the book in fourth grade, and once again it did not disappoint. I was pleased to find she also wrote the Babymouse series. My sisters and I adored the personality and humor in Babymouse books and were constantly checking and re-checking them out of the library. Our Only May Amelia is also full of personality. Unlike my experiences growing up with sisters, she grew up in a family of boys during the settlement of Washington State. She can hold her own next to her brothers and sometimes causes more trouble than they do. Her experiences with her brothers and large family guide the story forward.
The main conflict in the story comes when May Amelia's mother gives birth. May Amelia takes over caring for her baby sister as her mother is ill. Unfortunately, despite the good care and attention May Amelia gives the baby, she passes away anyways. Her mean-spirited grandmother who seems to hate May Amelia for no reason is delighted with this and blames the death on Ma Amelia. She runs away to her family in Astoria and doesn't return to reconcile with her family until after the death of her grandmother. Reading about the death of May Amelia's younger sister struck me deeply in fourth grade. I remember the scene where the grandmother blames May Amelia for the baby's death vividly. As an adult I can now see that the grandmother was emotionally abusing May Amelia and understand the wrongness of the situation, but as a child I didn't understand it any further than "she's mean." The way the grandmother was allowed to emotionally abuse her without more than a scolding from May Amelia's parents is troubling. It might be worth having a discussion on this with a young reader. Conversations about safety with kids aren't simply about physical boundaries, but also include being treated with respect and kindness from adults.
The main conflict in the story comes when May Amelia's mother gives birth. May Amelia takes over caring for her baby sister as her mother is ill. Unfortunately, despite the good care and attention May Amelia gives the baby, she passes away anyways. Her mean-spirited grandmother who seems to hate May Amelia for no reason is delighted with this and blames the death on Ma Amelia. She runs away to her family in Astoria and doesn't return to reconcile with her family until after the death of her grandmother. Reading about the death of May Amelia's younger sister struck me deeply in fourth grade. I remember the scene where the grandmother blames May Amelia for the baby's death vividly. As an adult I can now see that the grandmother was emotionally abusing May Amelia and understand the wrongness of the situation, but as a child I didn't understand it any further than "she's mean." The way the grandmother was allowed to emotionally abuse her without more than a scolding from May Amelia's parents is troubling. It might be worth having a discussion on this with a young reader. Conversations about safety with kids aren't simply about physical boundaries, but also include being treated with respect and kindness from adults.
emilymyhren's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a fan of this author, but something was off in regards to writing style in this novel.
cellowraith's review against another edition
3.0
I think my review would have been higher if I'd read instead of listened to this. One of those strange cases where I wouldn't have known that there was anything unusual about the text (no punctuation for dialogue, from what I understand) if I hadn't read other people's reviews. Also, the narrator's approach was a little too precious for my tastes.
kjerlil12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
scaifea's review against another edition
4.0
May Amelia lives with her parents and seven older brothers on their Washington state homestead in the late 1800's. She struggles against the idea that she should learn to be a proper young lady and that she's not supposed to do all the things her brothers can, and hopes that the baby her mother is carrying will be another girl so that she won't feel so alone.
Think Little House on the Prairie, but with Finnish immigrants in the Northwest. If you like Wilder's books, chances are good that you'd enjoy this one, too, which Holm wrote based on her great-aunt's actual diary entries.
Think Little House on the Prairie, but with Finnish immigrants in the Northwest. If you like Wilder's books, chances are good that you'd enjoy this one, too, which Holm wrote based on her great-aunt's actual diary entries.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
Jenni Holm does a great job in writing girl characters that are spunky, funny, and able to win you over. I loved this story about a young girl in 1899 Washington State. Can't wait to dive into the next book [b:The Trouble with May Amelia|8566075|The Trouble with May Amelia|Jennifer L. Holm|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279905051s/8566075.jpg|13434630]
bethmitcham's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this book as much as it deserved, because it's a grim time for families and I'm a wimp. So the better the book was at describing the happy family the worse it was for me, because it all seemed really hard. Also I didn't really buy the voice of May Amelia.
The super long reading time is because the book club I read this for was postponed for a month because of heavy snowfall in Washington.
The super long reading time is because the book club I read this for was postponed for a month because of heavy snowfall in Washington.
hemdamoses's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death