Can't remember why I originally had the sequel The Trouble with May Amelia, on my to-read list; but I always put off reading it because I wanted to start with the first book, this one, and it's not available on kindle. Then I got amazon prime and that meant free shipping and the paperback was pretty reasonable so I got it and here I am finally finished reading a book I intended to read in Aug 2011. Isn't that fascinating? I thought so.

Likes: I immediately fell in love with May. I love her voice and her brightness and sweetness and awesomeness. I loved her liberal use of capitalization. I loved her seven brothers, even eventually ornery ol Kaarlo. It was a fascinating glimpse into a history I had no idea existed; a 1899 settlement in Washington state. There was an interesting cast of characters, mostly May's family, but a few neighbors as well. Life in that time was difficult and scary, but seeing everything through the spicy tom-boy May Amelia's point-of-view was great. I particularly loved the family dynamics. All the love and rivalry, and seeing what May saw but interpreting it differently as a parent than she did as a 12 year old. She thought her Pa was mean and hated her while I could easily see how much he adored her and was trying to protect her from a difficult and dangerous world. It never occurred to May, which is very childlike and I think authentic.

Dislikes: None to mention, but there is a very sad part that might be disturbing to some readers. Is it standard to make children cry (Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, the Yearling, etc)? I guess it Teaches You A Lot About Life.