Our Only May Amelia

Overview of "Our Only May Amelia" by Jennifer L. Holm

Plot Summary: "Our Only May Amelia" is a middle-grade novel published in 1999 by Jennifer L. Holm. The story is set in 1899 near Astoria, Oregon, and follows the life of May Amelia Jackson, a 12-year-old Finnish-American girl who lives on a farm in the Nasel River settlement in Washington State. May Amelia is the youngest of eight children and the only girl in her family. She is known for her adventurous spirit and her desire to participate in activities traditionally reserved for boys, which often leads to conflicts with her strict Finnish-born father and societal expectations.

May Amelia's life is filled with various adventures and challenges. She dreams of becoming a sailor and traveling to China, but her father disapproves of her aspirations. She gets into trouble by dressing and playing like a boy, which often results in her being teased by her brothers and other community members. Despite these challenges, May Amelia finds herself in situations where she must care for her family, including a newborn baby sister who later dies in her sleep. The novel explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the struggle for individuality within a traditional community.

Key Themes:

1. Identity and Individuality: May Amelia's desire to be more than just a "proper young lady" is a central theme. She struggles to find her place within her family and community while maintaining her unique personality.
2. Family Dynamics: The novel highlights the complexities of family relationships, particularly between May Amelia and her strict father, as well as her interactions with her brothers and grandmother.
3. Societal Expectations: The story critiques the societal norms of the time, particularly those imposed on women and girls, and how these expectations can limit personal aspirations.
4. Coming of Age: May Amelia's journey is a classic coming-of-age tale, where she faces various challenges and learns valuable lessons about responsibility, loss, and resilience.

Critical Reception:

• Newbery Award: The book received the Newbery Award in 2000, recognizing its literary merit and contribution to children's literature.
• Reviews: Critics have praised the novel for its robust characterizations, lilting dialogue, and sharply individual first-person narrative. The book has been noted for its ability to captivate readers with its episodic and somewhat shapeless structure, which careens along before stopping without much resolution but still manages to convey a sense of authority and polish.

Overall, "Our Only May Amelia" is a compelling story about a young girl's quest for identity and individuality in a traditional Finnish-American community at the turn of the 20th century. The book's themes and characters have resonated with readers and critics alike, making it a significant contribution to children's literature.