“An unforgettable heroine narrates Holm’s extraordinary debut novel set in Washington State in 1899.”
our only may amelia
2000 Newbery Honor Book
It isn't easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899, but it's particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement. With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can't seem to abide her family's insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. Not when there's fishing to be done, sheep to be herded, and real live murderers to be captured! May is sure she could manage better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama's going to have a baby, maybe there's hope...
• Publishers Weekly "Flying Starts" Author
• ALA Notable Children's Book
• Parents' Choice Silver Honor
• Publishers Weekly Best Book
• Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
• 00-01 Utah Book Award (Gr. 3-6)
• 00-01 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Bk Award Masterlist
the trouble with may amelia
May Amelia lives in pioneer Washingon State in 1900, and she just can't act the part of a proper young lady. Working a farm on the rainy Nasel River isn't easy - especially when you have seven brothers and a Pappa who proclaims that Girls Are Useless. May Amelia thinks she may have finally earned her father's respect when he asks her to translate for a gentleman who's interested in buying their land and making them rich. But when the deal turns out to be a scam, Pappa places all the blame on May. It's going to take a lot of sisu - that's Finnish for guts - to make things right.
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Featured Selection
• Parents' Choice Award Silver Medal