The Trouble with May Amelia

Holm, J. L. (2011). The trouble with May Amelia. New York: Atheneum. Picking up where the earlier Our Only May Amelia (2000 Newbery Honor Book) left off, this title follows the further adventures of 12-year-old May Amelia, the only girl in a family of seven brothers. As the story progresses, it becomes clear how much she misses her older brother who had eloped with an Irish girl and her little sister Amy whose death she still mourns. She's just about always in trouble of some kind--and the author often uses capital letters to indicate particularly weighty terms or concepts, such as "It is 1900 and I Am in Trouble Again" (p. 2). May Amelia's voice is distinct in this book just as it was in its predecessor, and it's clear that while she loves her brothers dearly, being the only girl for miles around in Nasel, Washington, has plenty of disadvantages. It seems as though Amelia has the tendency to get in the way, irritate or be an annoyance for some of her family members, particularly her father who usually refers to her as "Girl" and regards females as having little use on the farm. When May Amelia is asked to translate for her Finnish father who doesn't feel comfortable conducting business in English, she is eager to do so in order to help him see that she can contribute in some way. Although times have been tough, the family starts to have hopes that the future will brighten once an investor shows interest in the area as a possible port. A series of mishaps force changes in the family's lives, and May Amelia's equilibrium is upset.  While some individuals rise to heroism during troubled times, others do not; instead, blaming others, something this book shows vividly. Additionally, it is filled with unforgettable characters and events that will touch readers' hearts. This one prompted me to laugh, to cry, to reflect, and to hope while shaking my head in wonder at the marvelous May Amelia as she tries to find her place. This one will be read and read and savored for the beautiful language and story incorporated by Holm.

Favorite Lines:

“It’s spring, and the sky is gray as the slates we use at school" (p. 3).

“Our barn is on fire, and the flames are licking at the sky like greedy fingers trying to catch a cloud”

(p. 46).