| This
story takes place near the Nasel River in Washington State in 1899. Twelve-year
old May Amelia Jackson is the only girl in a Finnish American family of
seven brothers. She is resentful because everyone expects her to act like
a lady. This is a very difficult task because she is the only girl around
not only in her family, but also for miles around and she continually gets
into mischief. May Amelia experiences many obstacles which include a physically
abusive grandmother to the death of her newborn sister, but in the end,
she comes of age triumphantly. I enjoyed this book because it teaches us
that having "self-worth" and love from your family can help one overcome
difficult obstacles. It also made me cry and laugh like a baby.
(Marta Lopez, Teacher Librarian m.lopezgw@gateway.net)
Boktalk
#2
Are any
of you the only girl or boy in your family? Do you have a really big family?
Do people ever want you to be something that you don't want to be? Well
that is what happens to May Amelia. She lives in Washington state
along the Nasel River. She has 7 brothers and according to everyone
she is a miracle. No other girls has been born into their family that anyone
can remember. She only likes to do boy things and she does not want
to be a "Proper Young Lady". May Amelia comes up against challenges like
a bear, an abusive grandmother, and a hateful adoptive cousin. May Amelia
also has a secret wish, her mom is pregnant and she wants the baby to be
a girl. Will she get her wish and will she survive the challenges
she must face in order to find out you must read "Our only May Amelia"
by Jennifer Holm. (Karen Womack, graduate student, <kwomack7@yahoo.com>)
Booktalk
#3
How are boys different from
girls in the way they are treated? Ask the students if they have brothers
or sisters and then ask those who raised their hands how they treat each
one differently. A description of what a tomboy is, elicited from
the students would then follow with an open-ended question in which they
discuss if it's easier being a boy or girl. I would then ask what
kinds of things would boys and girls do who lived out in the country?
After this discussion, adding extra information if necessary, I would introduce
the book and tell them about the setting, which takes place in the early
1900's and how the only daughter of a family full of boys
makes it in life. ("Naomi
Bates" <mira93@yahoo.com>) |
