THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA

May Amelia is back and in fine form. The only trouble this 12-year-old heroine has is her struggle to create a new role for a girl in a farming family of seven brothers. Maria Dalbotten delivers Holm’s historical novel in a no-nonsense manner that is fitting for the story of a traditional Finnish family and the life they lead in 1900 in Washington State. Holm’s heroic pioneer girl shows what it means to have “sisu”—Finnish for guts and courage—when her brother has a terrible accident and her father is nearly swindled. Dalbotten’s clean and well-paced narration sounds friendly and authentic. She captures the Finnish sensibilities of the community and allows the warmth and humor of the characters to shine. J.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2012]