May Amelia Jackson is the youngest and only daughter born to a Finnish American family with eight children living on a farm near a logging camp in Washington state at the end of the 19th Century. At age 12, May is spirited, spunky and downright sassy at times. She enjoys dressing and talking like her older brothers and wants to be a pirate when she grows up. She has absolutely no interest in being the “proper little lady” her Pappa would like her to be. Aside from May’s engaging character, what makes his novel especially outstanding is the detailed description of everyday rural family life 100 years ago and the novel’s distinctive voice: funny, colloquial and pure May Amelia, it reads almost like an oral history. (Age 12 and older)

The beloved Newbery Honor book by the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish, about a spirited heroine growing up with trying circumstances, a sense of adventure, and tremendous heart. 

It isn't easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899. It's particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement.

With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can't seem to abide her family's insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. She's sure she could do better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama's going to have a baby, maybe there's hope.

Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Jennifer Holm gives a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humour, passion and depth of the American pioneer experience.