Our Only May Amelia

Reader’s Review

This is a popular work of historical fiction based on true facts; a young girl grows up in Washington state in a Finnish settlement with 7 older brothers. She is the only girl born in the village, and is much more comfortable acting like her brothers than a proper young woman. Life is very difficult for these settlers, and the author does an excellent job of describing the joys and trials of settler life through the eyes of a young girl. The content is quite mature – birth and death are very much a part of the book, and the death of a beloved family member is very upsetting. And while a major theme of the book is family and love for your family, it is unfortunate that the villain of the book is May’s grandmother who is plain cruel and hates May throughout the book.

To look out for

• Islamic Values: May thinks it’s much better to be a boy than a girl, and is much more comfortable dressed and acting like a boy than a girl. Some of the men drink vodka, especially when stressed. There is child neglect.
• Romance: Marriage is often mentioned, even by May’s 12 year old friend, who desires to kiss a boy. May’s oldest brother runs off with a girl and elopes with her because his father doesn’t approve that she is Irish. One of May’s brothers seems to like her friend. May’s mother has a baby later in the book, and there is some description of her water breaking and her being in pain. May’s aunt is not married but has a ‘gentleman friend’ who provides for her.
• Violence: May’s grandmother beats her with a stick. May often gets into dangerous situations, almost drowning towards the end of the book. A woman is murdered and May’s mother must stitch up her body. An older man shoots his gun at the children.
• Language: Use of the word ‘goddamit’. Also racist terminology used for Native Americans and Asians (Chinamen and Chinook).