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Emily Imagination
Can imaginative Emily make her biggest dream come true? Spunky Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon'at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a luxury few small towns can afford. Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork? Adventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn't Emily bleach Dad's old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? "Written with Cleary's customary warmth and humor...The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life."-BooklistAdventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn't Emily bleach Dad's old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? "Written with Cleary's customary warmth and humor...The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life."-Booklist
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First published January 1, 1961
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About the author
Beverly Cleary
274 books3,332 followersBeverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
July 6, 2013
I loved this book so much, I have no idea why I was so resistant to reading it. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to Ramona as well, I suspect because the first Cleary I ever read was one of those dreadful teenage romance things, and I read it at my most cynical, disaffected and obnoxious. So my default response to Cleary is "Oh, I hate her" but in reality, I mostly love all the books she wrote. Except the teenage romances. I think.
Anyway, Emily! Oh, how I loved Emily. She's hilarious and delightful and awkward and so very real. Everyone should read this book. Even people who think they hate Beverly Cleary. Especially people who think they hate Beverly Cleary.
Anyway, Emily! Oh, how I loved Emily. She's hilarious and delightful and awkward and so very real. Everyone should read this book. Even people who think they hate Beverly Cleary. Especially people who think they hate Beverly Cleary.
August 17, 2021
Although I do tend to find the episodic nature of Beverly Cleary’s 1961 (but set considerably earlier, set in the 1920s) Emily’s Runaway Imagination a bit frustrating and distracting for me as an older adult reader, my inner child has definitely and certainly been both absolutely amused and sweetly entertained. And well, if I had actually encountered Emily’s Runaway Imagination as a child, the episodic scope and feel of Beverly Cleary’s presented and featured text actually and in fact would definitely and certainly have been very much personally appreciated. But unfortunately and rather a bit sadly as well, the older I get, the more I no longer really can totally and without reservations enjoy short anecdotes and episodes in a given novel (and especially so with those episodes which do not always move smoothly from one chapter to the next in a specific and thematically similar and straight forward timeline).
A fun and diverting little tale Emily’s Runaway Imagination has still and nevertheless been, and with Emily acting very much akin to a true kindred spirit and being a little girl I would have loved to have had as a friend during my own childhood, with many instances of laughter and pleasure. And even if my adult self would definitely prefer a more all encompassing narrative with smoother transitions, I do realise that episodic stories work really well for many younger readers (and which is also one of the reasons why I do wish that I had encountered Beverly Cleary’s stories and anecdotes of Emily Bartlett as a child reader, for indeed, my childhood self would simply and utterly have loved loved loved Emily’s Runaway Imagination with every reading fibre of my being). And furthermore, to tell the truth, even the marked datedness of much if not actually all of the contents of Emily’s Runaway Imagination is delightful, realistic and in my opinion, that same datedness also really does teach, really can enlighten middle grade readers about 1920s middle class American life and culture in a cheerfully fun, engaging and also in a generally non confusing manner (as no, when you read Emily’s Runaway Imagination as either a child or as an adult, the themes, contents, the entire premise clearly and totally says, absolutely states and shows that Emily’s Runaway Imagination is a novel set in the early mid 20th century and should therefore also be read and approached as thus.
A fun and diverting little tale Emily’s Runaway Imagination has still and nevertheless been, and with Emily acting very much akin to a true kindred spirit and being a little girl I would have loved to have had as a friend during my own childhood, with many instances of laughter and pleasure. And even if my adult self would definitely prefer a more all encompassing narrative with smoother transitions, I do realise that episodic stories work really well for many younger readers (and which is also one of the reasons why I do wish that I had encountered Beverly Cleary’s stories and anecdotes of Emily Bartlett as a child reader, for indeed, my childhood self would simply and utterly have loved loved loved Emily’s Runaway Imagination with every reading fibre of my being). And furthermore, to tell the truth, even the marked datedness of much if not actually all of the contents of Emily’s Runaway Imagination is delightful, realistic and in my opinion, that same datedness also really does teach, really can enlighten middle grade readers about 1920s middle class American life and culture in a cheerfully fun, engaging and also in a generally non confusing manner (as no, when you read Emily’s Runaway Imagination as either a child or as an adult, the themes, contents, the entire premise clearly and totally says, absolutely states and shows that Emily’s Runaway Imagination is a novel set in the early mid 20th century and should therefore also be read and approached as thus.
January 26, 2014
THE SUNDAY FAMILY READ
I was in a bad mood when I started reading this book, about a girl who is always being told that she lets her imagination run away with her. It instantly made me feel happy.
Emily is nine going on ten. She is the only child of a farming family outside Pitchfork, a very small town in Oregon. Her mother came from somewhere east, possibly Chicago, where she had been a teacher. Her father is descended from pioneers who came to Oregon generations ago. They all work hard and Emily's mom gets involved in starting the town's first library.
Though a specific date is never mentioned, times are hard and Emily's grandfather gets one of the town's first automobiles, so it must be the 1920s. Beverly Cleary later wrote a two volume autobiography. I haven't read those yet but from what I have gathered, I would say Emily's Runaway Imagination is somewhat autobiographical. In any case, the book is another example of her smooth and entertaining writing style with children as fully realized characters.
My favorite chapter was the one where Emily decides to bleach their horse, an old plow horse whose white coat, mane, and tail are mud stained and yellowed. Emily's cousin, who has lately read Black Beauty three times in a row and thinks it the most wonderful book ever, is coming for a visit from Portland, where she lives with her well off parents.
When Emily tells her mom she wants to bleach the horse, Mom just tells her to follow carefully the directions on the bottle. She works hard, all day in the hot summer weather, and gets a good result but worries that the animal is still clearly a plow horse. But the cousin is enchanted and even learns to ride it without a saddle.
One of the important rules on the farm is never waste food. The first step is always clean your plate because "think of the starving Armenians." I was still told that growing up in the 1950s! It cracked me up because I've never seen that phrase in a book before.
Since the book is set in the past, compared to most of Cleary's books which were contemporary for the times, I felt I was reading a combination of Lois Lenski and Beverly Cleary. I wonder if Lenski was an influence of Cleary's. If I were still teaching or tutoring, I would use the books of both these authors to bring history alive for my students.
I was in a bad mood when I started reading this book, about a girl who is always being told that she lets her imagination run away with her. It instantly made me feel happy.
Emily is nine going on ten. She is the only child of a farming family outside Pitchfork, a very small town in Oregon. Her mother came from somewhere east, possibly Chicago, where she had been a teacher. Her father is descended from pioneers who came to Oregon generations ago. They all work hard and Emily's mom gets involved in starting the town's first library.
Though a specific date is never mentioned, times are hard and Emily's grandfather gets one of the town's first automobiles, so it must be the 1920s. Beverly Cleary later wrote a two volume autobiography. I haven't read those yet but from what I have gathered, I would say Emily's Runaway Imagination is somewhat autobiographical. In any case, the book is another example of her smooth and entertaining writing style with children as fully realized characters.
My favorite chapter was the one where Emily decides to bleach their horse, an old plow horse whose white coat, mane, and tail are mud stained and yellowed. Emily's cousin, who has lately read Black Beauty three times in a row and thinks it the most wonderful book ever, is coming for a visit from Portland, where she lives with her well off parents.
When Emily tells her mom she wants to bleach the horse, Mom just tells her to follow carefully the directions on the bottle. She works hard, all day in the hot summer weather, and gets a good result but worries that the animal is still clearly a plow horse. But the cousin is enchanted and even learns to ride it without a saddle.
One of the important rules on the farm is never waste food. The first step is always clean your plate because "think of the starving Armenians." I was still told that growing up in the 1950s! It cracked me up because I've never seen that phrase in a book before.
Since the book is set in the past, compared to most of Cleary's books which were contemporary for the times, I felt I was reading a combination of Lois Lenski and Beverly Cleary. I wonder if Lenski was an influence of Cleary's. If I were still teaching or tutoring, I would use the books of both these authors to bring history alive for my students.
July 5, 2013
The Light Flaky Pie Crust chapter is probably my favorite, but The Hard-Times Party is a close tie. I made my own version of Emily's valentine once, and the entire plot centers on opening and sustaining a public library. What more could a Beverly Cleary devotee ask for?
I have this original hard cover edition now, but growing up I had the Dell Yearling cover with Emily Cloroxing a horse. I'm pretty sure it was one of the two books I was allowed to choose for my annual cross-country flight to my California grandparents.
I have this original hard cover edition now, but growing up I had the Dell Yearling cover with Emily Cloroxing a horse. I'm pretty sure it was one of the two books I was allowed to choose for my annual cross-country flight to my California grandparents.
September 14, 2021
What a wonderful gem that has somehow escaped my notice all these years. I absolutely loved it! I wish it was a series. It felt like such a "kindred spirit" book and I'm torn between wishing I'd known Emily when I was a girl (I feel sure I would have loved this when I was a kid!) and being grateful that I got to share the experience of a first read with my sons, who also thoroughly enjoyed it. Emily is such a likeable heroine. The episodic nature of the chapters is great for read-alouds. I loved the recurring thread about creating a town for the library. Emily's adventures and misadventures are gentle enough for sensitive readers but full of plenty of excitement and fun. So many little gems of wisdom tucked in, too, though it was never preachy. I think this would appeal to fans of All-of-a-Kind Family and Betsy-Tacy. I hope to write a more thorough review of this in the future, to do it justice. For now, I'll just go hug the library copy again before I have to give it back ;-)
September 23, 2021
3.7
Pitchfork, Oregon, c1920
Emily is an only child, but she's not short on family. Her grandparents and an aunt and uncle who have a daughter her age, all live in town and the town is so small that she knows most everybody. Living in such a small town does have one big disadvantage -- no library! That problem is introduced on page 3 and isn't resolved until the very end.
Beverly Cleary's books are always entertaining and they always provide insight into the times.
p 168
When Emily finished her chicken, she wiped the wishbone on her napkin and slipped it inside her bloomer leg. Emily found bloomer legs handy for carrying all sorts of things rubber balls, jacks, even a jumping rope.
p 174
When Emily's bedtime came, Grandma sent her upstairs, where she did not have to go straight to bed the way she did at home. She sat in Grandpa's Morris chair and read the dictionary with its limp leather cover and its colored illustrations of different breeds of cattle and all the flags in the world.
That brought back a memory! I remember turning the pages of the dictionary and looking at all the detailed little drawings. Usually I could name what I was seeing, but I often learned a new word -- for things like architectural details or parts of a ship. (Most of which I probably didn't remember for long, but at least I knew that just about every little thing had a name.)
Pitchfork, Oregon, c1920
Emily is an only child, but she's not short on family. Her grandparents and an aunt and uncle who have a daughter her age, all live in town and the town is so small that she knows most everybody. Living in such a small town does have one big disadvantage -- no library! That problem is introduced on page 3 and isn't resolved until the very end.
Beverly Cleary's books are always entertaining and they always provide insight into the times.
p 168
When Emily finished her chicken, she wiped the wishbone on her napkin and slipped it inside her bloomer leg. Emily found bloomer legs handy for carrying all sorts of things rubber balls, jacks, even a jumping rope.
p 174
When Emily's bedtime came, Grandma sent her upstairs, where she did not have to go straight to bed the way she did at home. She sat in Grandpa's Morris chair and read the dictionary with its limp leather cover and its colored illustrations of different breeds of cattle and all the flags in the world.
That brought back a memory! I remember turning the pages of the dictionary and looking at all the detailed little drawings. Usually I could name what I was seeing, but I often learned a new word -- for things like architectural details or parts of a ship. (Most of which I probably didn't remember for long, but at least I knew that just about every little thing had a name.)
March 30, 2024
Perfect book to re-read after re-reading “A Girl From Yamhill”, which is Cleary’s autobiography. “Emily Bartlett”, the young protagonist, is obviously a fictional version of Cleary herself, growing up in a small Oregon town in the 1920’s. I think that’s what I love most about reading her autobiographies, then re-reading the books she wrote for children; you can find snippets from Beverly’s own life in every one of her books. It’s like finding little treasures in the books!
March 31, 2025
I thought I had read all of Beverly Cleary’s books when I was a kid but I may have missed this one! Such a charming read. My childhood self would have related so well to Emily!
May 21, 2023
Socks, Mitch and Amy, and Emily's Runaway Imagination were my favorite non-Ramona books by Beverly Cleary as a child. And as an adult I still enjoy Emily's scrapes ("Grandpa and the Tin Lizzie" is top-tier children's literature) and the hijinks of Pitchfork, Oregon, made only more wonderful by the illustrations of Beth and Joe Krush.
Like Emily, I slightly dreaded in this re-read the character of Fong Quock, but I was pleasantly surprised by how Cleary showed Emily growing in self-awareness, compassion, and kindness with him. Early on she thoughtlessly corrects his pronunciation of their dog's name, and is so thoroughly embarrassed that she avoids him for most of the rest of the novel. Yet, she admires him from afar, for her mother tells her how hard he worked to make his fortune; he donates a dollar to the library fund; and no one can make rice like him. In the end, things come together, and Emily performs a very kind act of her own volition, pledging to remember him after he moves away. For a book published when it was still fashionable to be cruel to people outside the majority culture,* I was pleased with how Cleary took the high road and showed a little girl growing in empathy. It also rings true because she shows Emily going out of her way to "admire" the blacksmith, whom some of the other children mildly ridicule.
I think this is one of Cleary's more autobiographical novels, and it makes me want to read her autobiographies and re-read all of her books. She was such a gift to American children's literature. Though she lived to the age of 104, she never forgot what it was like to be a child.
*Not to mention, written about a time period when the KKK was huge in Oregon (and everywhere else in the USA)
Like Emily, I slightly dreaded in this re-read the character of Fong Quock, but I was pleasantly surprised by how Cleary showed Emily growing in self-awareness, compassion, and kindness with him. Early on she thoughtlessly corrects his pronunciation of their dog's name, and is so thoroughly embarrassed that she avoids him for most of the rest of the novel. Yet, she admires him from afar, for her mother tells her how hard he worked to make his fortune; he donates a dollar to the library fund; and no one can make rice like him. In the end, things come together, and Emily performs a very kind act of her own volition, pledging to remember him after he moves away. For a book published when it was still fashionable to be cruel to people outside the majority culture,* I was pleased with how Cleary took the high road and showed a little girl growing in empathy. It also rings true because she shows Emily going out of her way to "admire" the blacksmith, whom some of the other children mildly ridicule.
I think this is one of Cleary's more autobiographical novels, and it makes me want to read her autobiographies and re-read all of her books. She was such a gift to American children's literature. Though she lived to the age of 104, she never forgot what it was like to be a child.
*Not to mention, written about a time period when the KKK was huge in Oregon (and everywhere else in the USA)
December 3, 2022
I still enjoy the premise of this book, as well as the ending message, but the episodic nature does distract from the main narrative. Reading it now, I also think it would have been more interesting from Mama's point of view; I mean, the woman is a force of nature who willed a library into existence because her daughter wanted more to read. Amazing.
First review
Although at times it strays away from the main plot in ways that don't feed back into it, this is really quite a lovely story. Well written, colorful characters, and, if you're familiar with the time period, an excellent snapshot of the 20s. I also love the main idea, a small town gaining a library due to the idea of one girl. I'm just dying to know more about Pete Ginty! He helps and teases in spite of his grumpy exterior - what is his story? Ah, well. The rest is a good read.
First review
Although at times it strays away from the main plot in ways that don't feed back into it, this is really quite a lovely story. Well written, colorful characters, and, if you're familiar with the time period, an excellent snapshot of the 20s. I also love the main idea, a small town gaining a library due to the idea of one girl. I'm just dying to know more about Pete Ginty! He helps and teases in spite of his grumpy exterior - what is his story? Ah, well. The rest is a good read.
July 5, 2021
This is clearly old, so kids won't feel as confused, I think, as they are about some of Cleary's earlier works that are meant to be 'contemporary,' rather they will be more accepting of the dissonance. I wonder who Emily was to Beverly - the book sure does read like a collection of reminiscences, not an invention.
I laughed in so many places, and loved the cheerfulness of it. Reminded me a fair bit of the very special The Golden Name Day. I almost want to try to make Upside Down Custard Pie, and I will try Pussy-Willow Kitten Valentine's Day cards if I ever see them again (I wonder why I don't; I did as a child). What an exciting time to be alive, when small towns could rally together to set up a library, and only a few owned cars except in the cities, and a child could buy an eggbeater as a special present for Mama....
I laughed in so many places, and loved the cheerfulness of it. Reminded me a fair bit of the very special The Golden Name Day. I almost want to try to make Upside Down Custard Pie, and I will try Pussy-Willow Kitten Valentine's Day cards if I ever see them again (I wonder why I don't; I did as a child). What an exciting time to be alive, when small towns could rally together to set up a library, and only a few owned cars except in the cities, and a child could buy an eggbeater as a special present for Mama....
August 2, 2025
I checked this audiobook out for my kids and then got sucked into listening myself. And what a DELIGHT! This feels like Beverly Cleary's love letter to the best parts of "The Little House" and "Anne of Green Gables." I know Emily and Anne would be kindred spirits and many stories felt like an homage to her. I laughed out loud in many parts and the kids kept coming to me to ask if I'd reached a certain part so we could share in the laughs together. I can't believe Emily isn't as well-known or beloved as Ramona and Henry, because honestly, I love her even more than them. I will also say that the inclusion of Fong Quock made me nervous at the beginning (I was worried there would be racist overtones), but he was such a beloved character, obviously well-loved and respected in the community, and I'm sad he wasn't given a greater place in the story.
2025 - the kids and I listened to this together and it was just as delightful as I remembered. Having read Cleary's biography, I now notice that several elements are autobiographical. She sure knows how to tell a good story. What a joy!
2025 - the kids and I listened to this together and it was just as delightful as I remembered. Having read Cleary's biography, I now notice that several elements are autobiographical. She sure knows how to tell a good story. What a joy!
October 20, 2021
I loved this one more than Ellen and Otis series.
A very bookish and timeless tale, even though it's about the 1920s.
The only thing I didn't like was the scene about spanking and the kid's fear about it.
3,5 stars, rounded up to 4.
A very bookish and timeless tale, even though it's about the 1920s.
The only thing I didn't like was the scene about spanking and the kid's fear about it.
3,5 stars, rounded up to 4.
September 29, 2022
There’s something about stories of young girls living in the early 1900s that I just love. This was so sweet, funny, and charming, as I’d expect from a book by Beverly Cleary.
May 13, 2019
A solid 3 star read. Old-fashioned, not of this day and age, yet life lessons that may still be gleaned. Wholesome and good.
I liked it, while my 10 year old daughter liked it best of all. Antiquated but endearing nonetheless.
Some of the life lessons?
It begins with a dream; small steps lead to wonderful adventures and dreams that come true.
Good things don't happen all at once; sometimes, said things require steadfast perseverance.
Don't take for granted those who are always there and yet overlooked. Someday, you will have wished you showered them with more of your time and affections.
When living out a trade, when creating with your hands, become known for the time, quality, and genius you are! Craft well and become known.
Take pride in your loved ones, delight in them; be neighborly and live a life of charity; live a life of love.
Immerse yourself in simple pleasures because that's often where true beauty, and fun, are hidden: Right in plain sight!
May your imagination run away with you, and may you accomplish amazing feats otherwise impossible to complete.
A runaway imagination empowers greatness.
I liked it, while my 10 year old daughter liked it best of all. Antiquated but endearing nonetheless.
Some of the life lessons?
It begins with a dream; small steps lead to wonderful adventures and dreams that come true.
Good things don't happen all at once; sometimes, said things require steadfast perseverance.
Don't take for granted those who are always there and yet overlooked. Someday, you will have wished you showered them with more of your time and affections.
When living out a trade, when creating with your hands, become known for the time, quality, and genius you are! Craft well and become known.
Take pride in your loved ones, delight in them; be neighborly and live a life of charity; live a life of love.
Immerse yourself in simple pleasures because that's often where true beauty, and fun, are hidden: Right in plain sight!
May your imagination run away with you, and may you accomplish amazing feats otherwise impossible to complete.
A runaway imagination empowers greatness.
April 19, 2017
This might be one of my new favorite kids books. I like the way the story was structured: each chapter was its own episode, but there was an arc throughout the whole book. Emily's goal is to get a town library, which is kind of hard in the middle of nowhere, Oregon. So she and her family keep thinking of different ways to raise money, such as a "hard times party" where everyone dresses up like hobos and donates some cash.
Chapters like that are what made the book so unique. Of course, my favorite chapter would have to be the one where Emily tries to bleach her horse in order to make it a "snow white steed". The horse is just fine, but Emily's plans don't go very well. The hilarious part is, if I had grown up on a farm and had access to bleach, I might have done something similar as a kid. I guess this Emily is like a kindred spirit to me. Our imaginations sometimes get the better of us!
Chapters like that are what made the book so unique. Of course, my favorite chapter would have to be the one where Emily tries to bleach her horse in order to make it a "snow white steed". The horse is just fine, but Emily's plans don't go very well. The hilarious part is, if I had grown up on a farm and had access to bleach, I might have done something similar as a kid. I guess this Emily is like a kindred spirit to me. Our imaginations sometimes get the better of us!
March 24, 2018
เรื่องราวของเด็กหญิงวัยประถมคนหนึ่ง
เท่าที่อ่าน เราไม่ได้รู้สึกว่าเอมิลี่มีจินตนาการมากกว่าเด็กๆ ในวัยเดียวกัน
ที่ได้อ่านพบจากหนังสือเล่มอื่นๆ นะ
เธอเป็นเด็กที่มีจินตนาการธรรมดาคนหนึ่ง
แต่สิ่งที่พิเศษและความน่าสนใจของหนังสือเล่มนี้ (สำหรับเรา)
อยู่ที่การก่อกำเนิดของห้องสมุดประจำเมืองมากกว่า
เรื่องนี้คล้ายๆ กับว่าจะถูกเขียนขึ้นจากประสบการณ์ส่วนหนึ่งในชีวิตจริงของผู้เขียนด้วยค่ะ
สนุก น่ารัก และชวนฝัน .. โดยเฉพาะคนที่รักหนังสือ
และโดยเฉพาะคนที่ชอบเข้าห้องสมุดเมื่อตอนเด็กๆ ค่ะ :)
เท่าที่อ่าน เราไม่ได้รู้สึกว่าเอมิลี่มีจินตนาการมากกว่าเด็กๆ ในวัยเดียวกัน
ที่ได้อ่านพบจากหนังสือเล่มอื่นๆ นะ
เธอเป็นเด็กที่มีจินตนาการธรรมดาคนหนึ่ง
แต่สิ่งที่พิเศษและความน่าสนใจของหนังสือเล่มนี้ (สำหรับเรา)
อยู่ที่การก่อกำเนิดของห้องสมุดประจำเมืองมากกว่า
เรื่องนี้คล้ายๆ กับว่าจะถูกเขียนขึ้นจากประสบการณ์ส่วนหนึ่งในชีวิตจริงของผู้เขียนด้วยค่ะ
สนุก น่ารัก และชวนฝัน .. โดยเฉพาะคนที่รักหนังสือ
และโดยเฉพาะคนที่ชอบเข้าห้องสมุดเมื่อตอนเด็กๆ ค่ะ :)
June 24, 2022
Fun, enjoyable. I chuckled several times while reading it.
The characters were well done for a middle grade story even if some were pretty typical.
I didn’t care for the chapter about spooky stories and ghosts even though it was obvious that no one really believed in ghosts.
The characters were well done for a middle grade story even if some were pretty typical.
I didn’t care for the chapter about spooky stories and ghosts even though it was obvious that no one really believed in ghosts.
May 19, 2025
This was such a cute and silly book. Felt so nostalgic reading Beverly Clearly again. 🥺
January 26, 2011
I have such memories of re-reading this over and over as a child.
I think I was fascinated with the era Emily lived in. I desperately wished that I wore bloomers, lived in a small town, and attended "Hard-Times Parties". (Actually, I did have an unofficial Hard-Time party once with my brothers. The only thing I remember about, though, is that I wore my old, somewhat ragged nightgown that my grandmother made for me years before. *sigh* Those were the days.)
I think I was fascinated with the era Emily lived in. I desperately wished that I wore bloomers, lived in a small town, and attended "Hard-Times Parties". (Actually, I did have an unofficial Hard-Time party once with my brothers. The only thing I remember about, though, is that I wore my old, somewhat ragged nightgown that my grandmother made for me years before. *sigh* Those were the days.)
June 28, 2021
Ever have those books you aren't sure you read, so you have to read it again to see? This was one of those books. I did remember it once I read it, and it was just as cute as it sounded. Beverly Cleary is a great writer. The illustrations were very cute too.
January 14, 2023
Such a lovely surprise. I remember reading this as a kid, but I remember nothing about it from then, and now it has come up in my continuing marathon to reread/listen to Beverly Cleary’s entire library. This may now rank right after Ramona the Pest and Henry Huggins as my favorite Cleary book.
July 28, 2019
Read aloud to my kids. They enjoyed Emily's sweet and childlike antics.
September 24, 2022
Cute. From the way it reads I would guess it’s partially autobiographical
April 14, 2025
3.5*, there were a lot of funny parts and it was an enjoyable family read aloud. I'm glad I read it out loud so I could edit some parts. I'm very familiar with the author but had never heard of this book by her. We read it because it is set in our state.
I liked the showcase on a small town but determining when it was set was harder. I don't get Emily's fixation on Black Beauty but can understand if her cousin was talking all about it she wanted to see what she was missing. I did like the focus on how a small town got a library and what would be involved in starting one.
The chapters are somewhat long but are easy to read one at a time, almost like vignettes or short episodes in and of themselves. Cloroxing the horse might be my favorite but there are definitely humorous parts in multiple chapters.
Fong Quock's parts in the story were endearing but also made me cringe sometimes because Emily is so embarrassed by her misunderstanding of him that she avoids him.
Overall a nice read but not one I feel we need to own in our home library.
"I live in Greenvale," he answered. "We read about the library in the Pitchfork Report and I walked down the railroad track to see if we could get some books too." "Why, that's at least four miles," said Mama, "and four miles back again." The boy looked at the floor. "Yes ma'am." "Of course you may take books for your family," said Mama. This boy wanted to read. That was enough for her. It made no difference where he lived. pg 118
"Fortune means different things to different people you know."... Mama was right, she decided. Fortune did mean different things to different people. And to Emily right now, fortune meant not streets paved with gold or money to send to China. It meant the people of Pitchfork having enough money to give some to the library. Enough for real bookshelves and an encyclopedia and some left over for Black Beauty." pgs 123-124
I liked the showcase on a small town but determining when it was set was harder. I don't get Emily's fixation on Black Beauty but can understand if her cousin was talking all about it she wanted to see what she was missing. I did like the focus on how a small town got a library and what would be involved in starting one.
The chapters are somewhat long but are easy to read one at a time, almost like vignettes or short episodes in and of themselves. Cloroxing the horse might be my favorite but there are definitely humorous parts in multiple chapters.
Fong Quock's parts in the story were endearing but also made me cringe sometimes because Emily is so embarrassed by her misunderstanding of him that she avoids him.
Overall a nice read but not one I feel we need to own in our home library.
"I live in Greenvale," he answered. "We read about the library in the Pitchfork Report and I walked down the railroad track to see if we could get some books too." "Why, that's at least four miles," said Mama, "and four miles back again." The boy looked at the floor. "Yes ma'am." "Of course you may take books for your family," said Mama. This boy wanted to read. That was enough for her. It made no difference where he lived. pg 118
"Fortune means different things to different people you know."... Mama was right, she decided. Fortune did mean different things to different people. And to Emily right now, fortune meant not streets paved with gold or money to send to China. It meant the people of Pitchfork having enough money to give some to the library. Enough for real bookshelves and an encyclopedia and some left over for Black Beauty." pgs 123-124
November 22, 2019
I love reading about farms,and this one is so far the best
July 7, 2023
This is an amazing book, filled with wholesome object lessons, interesting characters and wonderful themes. My grandson (now 10) and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. To my mind, this book is much deeper, more thought-provoking and emotionally rich than the Ramona & Henry series.
April 9, 2024
Fun stories of a girl’s adventures in 1920s rural Oregon. Emily and her mother are working to start a library in their town, and Emily longs to read Black Beauty since her city cousin loves it.
There are many times where Emily feels very embarrassed about things. Later in the book, there’s a great story about how you can learn to be laughed at and have fun without feeling embarrassed.
There are a few mentions of “the prettiest girl in town” (who is not Emily). But there are also some lessons about how beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
_
Content:
Sayings like:
“I’ll be jiggered”
“My lands”
“I’ll be goll’ dinged”
“What the Sam Hill”
“Beat it” (to a calf)
“Fraidy dog”
People being “stuck up”
A few references to how it’s wicked to waste food because of the “starving Armenians” (this is intended to be more practical and isn’t harsh).
In Chapter 2, pigs get drunk by eating rotten apples (hilarious accident). Related to the pigs, you see words like: tipsy, drunk, sober up, dead drunk. Everyone laughs about it so it’s very lighthearted and matter-of-fact.
One of the main secondary characters is Emily’s neighbor - a kind, older man. He moved from China to Oregon to seek his fortune. He is respected and treated with kindness.
A brief reference to spankings (none occur).
One chapter includes a spooky poem that Emily enjoys. She thinks it’ll be fun to feel scared for a bit when her cousin spends the night, so she talks about things looking ghostly etc. To Emily’s annoyance, her matter-of-fact cousin doesn’t play along and always responds with realistic explanations.
They do both end up scared when there’s a storm that night and they can’t explain away a white figure and strange noises outside. They think there’s a ghost, but an explanation surfaces after they face their fears to go investigate.
In one section, Emily thinks that faith is for big, unselfish wishes.
No romance.
There are many times where Emily feels very embarrassed about things. Later in the book, there’s a great story about how you can learn to be laughed at and have fun without feeling embarrassed.
There are a few mentions of “the prettiest girl in town” (who is not Emily). But there are also some lessons about how beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
_
Content:
Sayings like:
“I’ll be jiggered”
“My lands”
“I’ll be goll’ dinged”
“What the Sam Hill”
“Beat it” (to a calf)
“Fraidy dog”
People being “stuck up”
A few references to how it’s wicked to waste food because of the “starving Armenians” (this is intended to be more practical and isn’t harsh).
In Chapter 2, pigs get drunk by eating rotten apples (hilarious accident). Related to the pigs, you see words like: tipsy, drunk, sober up, dead drunk. Everyone laughs about it so it’s very lighthearted and matter-of-fact.
One of the main secondary characters is Emily’s neighbor - a kind, older man. He moved from China to Oregon to seek his fortune. He is respected and treated with kindness.
A brief reference to spankings (none occur).
One chapter includes a spooky poem that Emily enjoys. She thinks it’ll be fun to feel scared for a bit when her cousin spends the night, so she talks about things looking ghostly etc. To Emily’s annoyance, her matter-of-fact cousin doesn’t play along and always responds with realistic explanations.
They do both end up scared when there’s a storm that night and they can’t explain away a white figure and strange noises outside. They think there’s a ghost, but an explanation surfaces after they face their fears to go investigate.
In one section, Emily thinks that faith is for big, unselfish wishes.
No romance.
December 28, 2010
This book has aged well since I read it as a child. Emily's small Oregon town of Pitchfork is a good place to live, but it is sadly lacking in one regard: it needs a library. Emily hears of the riches of the Portland library from her city cousin, and longs to read Black Beauty, and other wonderful-sounding books. Her mother decides that Emily is right, and sends away to the State Library for help. Sort of a Henry Huggins story with a female protagonist, readers should enjoy this gently humorous book about small town life in the 1920s. Emily is a memorable and likable character who gets into believable, funny scrapes. Endearingly familiar pictures from the illustrators of All-of-a-Kind Family, the Enright books, and the Borrowers. 4th grade and up.
October 18, 2017
Piper and I have been reading this book forever, it seems like. I ordered it because I remember my 2nd grade teacher reading it to us; most memorable to me was the part where she wanted to impress her cousin from the big city (Portland, Oregon), so she bleached her horse.
It's the story of a young girl in Pitchfork, Oregon, in the early part of the 20th century. She works with her mother to write to the state library to get a library built in Pitchfork. She also lets her imagination run away with her.
There's also a Chinese man named Fong Quock, who calls her dog Prince "Plince," which Emily unintentionally copies, and then spends the rest of the book being embarrassed about. I feel like the book is very kind to Fong Quock, but still....something about it just didn't sit right.
It's the story of a young girl in Pitchfork, Oregon, in the early part of the 20th century. She works with her mother to write to the state library to get a library built in Pitchfork. She also lets her imagination run away with her.
There's also a Chinese man named Fong Quock, who calls her dog Prince "Plince," which Emily unintentionally copies, and then spends the rest of the book being embarrassed about. I feel like the book is very kind to Fong Quock, but still....something about it just didn't sit right.
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