Readers' rating:
Published Jun 1999
272 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
She may be a miracle, but she's no proper young lady!
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....
"[A] spunky 12-year-old heroine to whom youngsters 10 and up will certainly relate." - KLIATT
"The story is filled with action, details of life in Washington State in 1899, and family love. It is not surprising that it was awarded a Newbery Honor Medal." - Children's Literature
"The robust characterizations captivate, the lilting dialogue twangs, and the sharply individual first-person narrative gives the material authority and polish." - Kirkus Reviews
"An unforgettable heroine narrates Holm's extraordinary debut novel set in Washington State in 1899...Readers will fall in love with May Amelia's spirited nature. Ages 10-12." - Publishers Weekly
This information about Our Only May Amelia was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Jennifer Holm was raised in Audubon, Pennsylvania with her four brothers. After graduating from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she worked in television and later began to write. Our Only May Amelia, the story of a 12-year-old girl living in the late 19th century, inspired by a diary written by her great aunt, was her first published novel and was a 2000 Newbery Honor Book. Holm also has written a series starring Jane Peck, a young woman living in the 1850s (Boston Jane: An Adventure, Boston Jane: Wilderness Days and Boston Jane: The Claim); The Creek, a horror thriller; a series of graphic novels for young adults illustrated by her brother Matthew (Babymouse: Queen of the World, Babymouse: Our Hero, Babymouse: Beach Babe, Babymouse: Rock Star, Babymouse: Heartbreaker, and...
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