A review by jcschildbach
A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary

5.0

The autobiography of one of my favorite authors from childhood, Cleary's early life was spent on a farm in Yamhill, Oregon. Her family eventually moved to Portland, Oregon due to economic problems on the farm, only to have the Great Depression eventually take over the country and make life in the city economically challenging as well. It was definitely a different time and way of life, whether on the farm or in the city. Cleary covers her earliest memories all the way up through high school graduation, with perhaps a darker tone in many places than in most of her fiction writing (or at least the books of hers I read as a kid). Ultimately, one major theme that emerges is the relationship between mothers and daughters, Cleary experiencing increasing levels of conflict with her mother as she grows up, but also trying to find more measured strategies for dealing with her mother, and wanting just to feel loved and to have a stronger connection with her mother. This is not to say that this is an overly serious, depressing tale. It is infused with Cleary's sense of humor and warmth as she presents both the happy and unhappy memories, as well as those that, as much of life, include a mixture of fun and disappointment. As 'old fashioned' as Cleary's story might be, it kept me engaged throughout and was an entertaining read.