The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye
Grade 4–6—When Fancy Nelson arrives in a small upstate New York town in the mid-1960s, she is just the friend that lonely Amelia Earhart Rye needs. Unlike most residents, Amelia could care less that the newcomer is African-American. Local bullies insult Fancy by cutting off her braids; she then remarks that even kids in Alabama were not so cruel. Although the incident rattles her, she picks herself up and takes pride in a new, short haircut. Meanwhile, emotionally abused Amelia learns how to be strong from her bold new friend. She practices standing up for herself against teachers, cousins, and, finally, her mean mother who never wanted her. Amelia's most significant rebellion occurs when she defies her mother and walks away from the baptismal font at their strict Protestant church. Shimko cleverly uses this transformative moment in Christian religious life to illustrate how Amelia has been reborn, thanks to Fancy's kindness and friendship. She also gives the fourth grader a loving surrogate mother in the character of Margo LaRue, whom Amelia initially hated for running away with Mr. Rye before Amelia's birth. Like most of the characters, Margo has a depth and complexity that unfold at a leisurely pace. This novel is sure to engage readers in search of character-driven stories about friendship.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY(c) Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.