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scribesprite's review against another edition
5.0
Can I just say my 11 year old self would not like this book as much because it was so sad? There are of course more precocious kids than me (I've seen kids read classic Jane Austen stuff) but I was never okay with too sad of stuff as a kid, and I don't think I'm alone in this. This is not to deter anyone from reading it because the book is not exceedingly sad, just kind of.
The book is similar to the first if I remember correctly in that it starts out innocent enough. First, there are day to day events that happen but the then things start falling apart. The day to day events were just as entertaining as the more dramatic events that happen. It shows the struggles and pleasures of immigrant farmers who are settled in Washington State during the early 1900s. This one has some Finnish roots to it that I might’ve missed in the first.
The Trouble with May Amelia is that she is a girl. Whenever people hear how my brother lives with a bunch of girls they always feel sorry for him but I think the other way around is just as hard. I think this is a perfect example of that. May Amelia is always being teased about being a girl and not being good enough at it either. It’s a lose lose situation.
I couldn't get enough of May; I felt her story. I could believe her anger, jealousy, despair, as well as joy and hope. I understood her as a character even if she is so young. I could care about her family and feel sympathy for her brothers as well as annoyance.
If there would be a sequel to this book I'd defiantly read it; I want so much to know what happens to May Amelia and her family. The ending is fine and has finality to it that was hopeful just like Our Only May Amelia but just like last time I wanted to know more. But if it takes as long to get to it as this one then most likely I'll miss it- it was just by chance that I found out about this book. I could keep an eye out for a sequel I guess but it might come to not.
The book is similar to the first if I remember correctly in that it starts out innocent enough. First, there are day to day events that happen but the then things start falling apart. The day to day events were just as entertaining as the more dramatic events that happen. It shows the struggles and pleasures of immigrant farmers who are settled in Washington State during the early 1900s. This one has some Finnish roots to it that I might’ve missed in the first.
The Trouble with May Amelia is that she is a girl. Whenever people hear how my brother lives with a bunch of girls they always feel sorry for him but I think the other way around is just as hard. I think this is a perfect example of that. May Amelia is always being teased about being a girl and not being good enough at it either. It’s a lose lose situation.
I couldn't get enough of May; I felt her story. I could believe her anger, jealousy, despair, as well as joy and hope. I understood her as a character even if she is so young. I could care about her family and feel sympathy for her brothers as well as annoyance.
If there would be a sequel to this book I'd defiantly read it; I want so much to know what happens to May Amelia and her family. The ending is fine and has finality to it that was hopeful just like Our Only May Amelia but just like last time I wanted to know more. But if it takes as long to get to it as this one then most likely I'll miss it- it was just by chance that I found out about this book. I could keep an eye out for a sequel I guess but it might come to not.
carrieksnider's review against another edition
5.0
It's rare that I like a sequel more than the original, but this is the case here. This one was similar to the first, but with more humor, more action, and even more personality. Some of the events are tragic, but May's perspective is refreshing and hilarious. Reminds me of being a farm girl amongst a bunch of boys.
msseviereads's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my.... I loved this book. May Amelia's voice was so strong, the characters so well-defined. I love the conflict in this book and the resolution. And even though I was really upset with Pappa on how he talked to and about his daughter -- I do think it was historically accurate. A friend of mine has a letter that her grandmother wrote to her mother on the occasion of her visiting when she was four. Never once in that letter is Nancy's name mentioned. The grandmother referred to her as "your girl" the whole letter. "Your girl hasn't been much trouble at all." I the end May Amelia is a feisty, wonderful girl, and I very much appreciated her story.
I also, as a Minnesotan, appreciated the Finnish aspect of this book.
I will be going back to read The One and Only May Amelia.
And this is another book, much like The Romeo and Juliet Code, that I think has a stupid cover. The girl on the cover doesn't represent the book or the character at all. Dumb.
And one more nit-picky thing -- Why no use of quotation marks to mark dialog? Don't let this stop you from reading it, but the English teacher in me was annoyed by this "style."
I also, as a Minnesotan, appreciated the Finnish aspect of this book.
I will be going back to read The One and Only May Amelia.
And this is another book, much like The Romeo and Juliet Code, that I think has a stupid cover. The girl on the cover doesn't represent the book or the character at all. Dumb.
And one more nit-picky thing -- Why no use of quotation marks to mark dialog? Don't let this stop you from reading it, but the English teacher in me was annoyed by this "style."
wiseowl33's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! What a burden for a child to bear. Great story, as much because the family picks itself up from tough times and moves on as anything. Times were tough, but this family is tougher! Great story. Love hearing about how other families settled in America.
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
I had several epiphanies while reading this book (after all, it is January 6). Just knowing that I would write a review for it changed the way I read a bit. I take a few notes, but really do reflect more on what I've read if I plan to share it with others. My recent experiences with "The Nerdy Book Club" have had such an inspiring effect on my reading. I keep wanting to try to duplicate the experience for the students at my schools. Too often we bog them down with vocabulary, insignificant details and questions, and overlook the big picture. Because I will have written this review, I know that I will better remember the book and some of its features; don't we wish the same for our students?
Now, for the book itself: I had not read Our Only May Amelia before, so I read it right before I read this one. I do agree that you do not have to have read the first book, but it does help. I like the matter-of-fact way this is written, as if, "This is my life, and that's that." While adults may find part of the book to be predictable, I think fewer and fewer things are predictable in today's world for our students. Holm doesn't try to hit you over the head with all the repercussions of the plot elements, she just moves on. There were laugh-out-loud parts (Friendly and the outhouse immediately come to mind), as well as several sad moments, but I believe this is an accurate picture of what life must have been like. I find it very inspiring that several real life events were included in the book.
I did miss having the map that was included in OOMA and found myself referring back to it a few times, and the lack of quotation marks does still get me at times, but I like May Amelia's strong voice and the manner of storytelling.
Being a librarian and book lover, of course I approved of the fact that the man who finally "wins" the teacher is the man who proclaims his love of books. There really is never proof that he's read them, is there? I guess Miss McEwing eventually would be able to determine that.
The fact that May Amelia has an important part in the resolution is very satisfying; her continued problems with acceptance by her father may really resonate with some readers. The injustice when she is blamed for things that are not her fault are frustrating but realistic. And, count me among those who would be glad to read an additional sequel! I don't know if I will try to use cobwebs to stop bleeding the next time that happens, but I will still be favorably affected by reading this book.
Now, for the book itself: I had not read Our Only May Amelia before, so I read it right before I read this one. I do agree that you do not have to have read the first book, but it does help. I like the matter-of-fact way this is written, as if, "This is my life, and that's that." While adults may find part of the book to be predictable, I think fewer and fewer things are predictable in today's world for our students. Holm doesn't try to hit you over the head with all the repercussions of the plot elements, she just moves on. There were laugh-out-loud parts (Friendly and the outhouse immediately come to mind), as well as several sad moments, but I believe this is an accurate picture of what life must have been like. I find it very inspiring that several real life events were included in the book.
I did miss having the map that was included in OOMA and found myself referring back to it a few times, and the lack of quotation marks does still get me at times, but I like May Amelia's strong voice and the manner of storytelling.
Being a librarian and book lover, of course I approved of the fact that the man who finally "wins" the teacher is the man who proclaims his love of books. There really is never proof that he's read them, is there? I guess Miss McEwing eventually would be able to determine that.
The fact that May Amelia has an important part in the resolution is very satisfying; her continued problems with acceptance by her father may really resonate with some readers. The injustice when she is blamed for things that are not her fault are frustrating but realistic. And, count me among those who would be glad to read an additional sequel! I don't know if I will try to use cobwebs to stop bleeding the next time that happens, but I will still be favorably affected by reading this book.
britomarte's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to give both books about May Amelia the same review, because they feel like two halves of one book.
These are the saddest books ever. Every few pages, some child is being physically or emotionally wounded. Parents dying. Children dying. Permanent maimings. Loss and grief everywhere.
I feel like the author struggled a bit to find the right voice for the age of the protagonist, but she did settle into one. For me, the voice was a little young for a twelve-year-old, but I understood the choice and ran with it.
That said, the books were both quite good. I wouldn't recommend reading them back to back when you've already had a bit of a bummer week, though. Don't make the mistake I did.
These are the saddest books ever. Every few pages, some child is being physically or emotionally wounded. Parents dying. Children dying. Permanent maimings. Loss and grief everywhere.
I feel like the author struggled a bit to find the right voice for the age of the protagonist, but she did settle into one. For me, the voice was a little young for a twelve-year-old, but I understood the choice and ran with it.
That said, the books were both quite good. I wouldn't recommend reading them back to back when you've already had a bit of a bummer week, though. Don't make the mistake I did.
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Aimed at the older elementary set, this book had some pretty intense subject matter. I'm just not sure a younger reader would be motivated to stick through all is the sadness and difficulties. I did enjoy the storytelling and the fact that the novel was based on some actual events the author's ancestors endured.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
A great sequel to My Only May Amelia! May Amelia is struggling with being not only the only girl in a feisty Finnish household of seven brothers, but virtually the only girl in her rainy part of Washington State along the Nasal River. May Amelia tries her hardest to please her gruff Papa. But just when she thinks she has finally won his respect, her whole world crashes down around her. If you loved May Amelia in the first book, you must read this sequel!
jshettel's review against another edition
3.0
This was ok, but not really worthy of all the "buzz" I've been hearing placing it in Newbery reach. Of course, since I've never served on the committee and I don't always agree with their picks, I could be way off on this one. Kind of a forgettable read for me - not sure I'll really remember this one come next year.