Awards

• Commended for Newbery Medal (Children's) 2000
• Commended for Newbery Medal 2000

Overview

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. She's sure she could do 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. Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, first-time novelist Jennifer Holm has given us a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humor, passion, and depth of the American pioneer experience.

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9780064408561

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Reviews

This novel is not to be missed. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) The robust characterizations captivate, the lilting dialogue twangs, and the sharply individual first-person narrative gives the material authority and polish. --Kirkus Reviews The voice of the colloquial first-person narrative rings true and provides a vivid picture of frontier and pioneer life in Washington State in 1899. --Horn Book An unforgettable heroine narrates Holm's extraordinary debut novel. May Amelia's spunky narrative voice gives the novel its immediacy and potency. Not to be missed. --Publishers Weekly May Amelia, 12, is the only girl in a family of Western pioneers at the tail end of the 19th century. She chafes against her parents' instructions to be a Proper Young Lady. Nothing can stop her from exploring the wilderness in what will eventually become Washington State. Engaging. --Brightly Give this to your readers who are seeking new frontiers. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The robust characterizations captivate, the lilting dialogue twangs, and the sharply individual first-person narrative gives the material authority and polish. --Kirkus Reviews This novel is not to be missed. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) An unforgettable heroine narrates Holm's extraordinary debut novel. May Amelia's spunky narrative voice gives the novel its immediacy and potency. Not to be missed. --Publishers Weekly The voice of the colloquial first-person narrative rings true and provides a vivid picture of frontier and pioneer life in Washington State in 1899. --Horn Book May Amelia, 12, is the only girl in a family of Western pioneers at the tail end of the 19th century. She chafes against her parents' instructions to be a Proper Young Lady. Nothing can stop her from exploring the wilderness in what will eventually become Washington State. Engaging. --Brightly Give this to your readers who are seeking new frontiers. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

An unforgettable heroine narrates Holm's extraordinary debut novel. May Amelia's spunky narrative voice gives the novel its immediacy and potency. Not to be missed. -- Publishers Weekly The voice of the colloquial first-person narrative rings true and provides a vivid picture of frontier and pioneer life in Washington State in 1899. Horn Book The robust characterizations captivate, the lilting dialogue twangs, and the sharply individual first-person narrative gives the material authority and polish. Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Jennifer L. Holm is the author of the Newbery Honor Book Our Only May Amelia and the contemporary young adult thriller, The Creek, as well as the other books of the Boston Jane trilogy: Boston Jane: An Adventure and Boston Jane: Wilderness Days. She lives with her husband and son and cat in the wilds of Maryland.

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