Our Only May Ameilia- Historical Fiction

As I perused the books in the young adult section of my local library, I came across this book.  It was clearly historical fiction, its sepia toned cover depicting a young girl in old fashioned dress.  I picked it up, and as I began to read there story line pulled me in.  The plot is based on a young girl's diary from the early 1900's.  She is the only girl in a family of all boys, and the family has immigrated and is helping to settle Washington state.  The book follows her through her grandmother's cruelty, the death of her baby sister, and in the prologue tells of her beginnings as a teacher.  It is a book of hardships, and triumphs, but it is not one that I believe most students would pick up on their own.  It is definitely written for the youngest end of the young adult spectrum.  The simplicity of the writing gears the book for children of the same age group as the main character.  I do believe that students would enjoy this book if they gave it a chance, but while the major themes are mostly something students would identify with, they have know real prior knowledge to base their understandings on. In other words, it may be difficult for some students to identify with and imagine.  In one scene, May Ameilia dresses like a boy and gets a job running down the river and letting people know when the loggers are going to let the logs float down river.  I would recommend this book, but you may have to guide students in the reading and perhaps show pictures of some of the major scenes.  This way they will have something to base their imaginings on.