Customer Reviews

Girl from Yamhill, The

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Like the other reviewers here, I was addicted to the books of Beverly Cleary when I was child. Mrs. Cleary's books provided me endless hours of enjoyment, and I still remember laughing out loud at the adventures and misadventures of her characters. Eventually, I grew up and Mrs. Cleary's books became just fond remembrances of my childhood.

Remembrances are what they remained until I re-read "Otis Spofford" a couple weeks ago. Despite my age, I still found myself laughing out loud while I read it. It was that experience that led me to read "A Girl from Yamhill." I wanted to find out more about the woman whose mere name on a book ensured to me as a child a wonderful reading experience.

What a terrific autobiography! I read it in one day. I loved the simple, but honest writing style that can also be found in her fictional books. I also recognized many of the experiences of her girlhood that eventually ended up among the adventures of her fictional characters: tin cans and twine, misinterpreting the words to national anthem, the boys chewing garlic, and the green paint for Christmas. However, what struck me as the best part of "A Girl from Yamhill" was how ordinary Beverly Bunn was as a girl. She wasn't poor or rich. She got good grades; but occassionally they slipped. She wasn't in the popular cliques; but she wasn't an outcast. She never got into any major trouble; but she wasn't a saint. Yes, her mother was emotionally detached and controlling; but she wasn't abusive or meanspirited. Teenaged Beverly spends alot of time worrying about her clothes and boys just like any other teenage girl. I was amazed how much I enjoyed reading about the life of an average, ordinary girl. Of course, that girl did have one major talent- she could write, and that talent is what makes "A Girl from Yamhill" such a joy- Beverly Cleary is a fantastic writer. She brings everything so vividly to life, and provides the reader not only insight into her own character, but also gives a glimpse of what life was really like in the Oregon of the 1920's and 30's. A great, great book!

If you were in love with Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins or Runaway Ralph as a child, you will love this memoir of their creator. Beverly Cleary takes us back to her childhood and shares with us her memories of growing up in Oregon and what her family life was like. One can't help but notice, there are so many similarities between Ramona and a young Beverly Cleary! As always, Cleary paints a perfect picture of life as a young girl and what it was like coming of age. Her words are full of honesty, insightfullness & humor. My only other recommendation is to make sure you buy On My Own Two Feet, which takes you through her adult years. When A Girl from Yamhill is over, you will be hungry for more! Beverly Cleary is a timeless delight to read for all ages.

I loved this book as much as I enjoyed the Ramona Quimby books that I grew up reading. I really enjoyed realizing that Emily's Runaway Imagination was based on Cleary's own life. It was interesting to see her early life on a farm and then the changes that came from her family's move to suburbia.

Cleary explains her early writing experiences explaining that she wanted to read books as a child that were realistic. Her school and family experiences gave great insight.

This is also a great history of being a child in the depression era.

This is a great book for anyone who curled up with a copy of Henry Huggins or Ellen Tebbitts!

I grew up in the 1970's reading Beverly Cleary cover to cover and voraciously! I LIVED to get another Beverly Cleary book. I am now an 8th grade Reading teacher, and kids still love her books to pieces (sometimes literally). A student of mine who is researching Cleary for her author research project showed me this book. I read it in its entirety in 24 hours. I literally could not put it down. I recognized many episodes in her life that showed up in her books. I was surprised to find out she was an only child. For some reason, I always thought she had an older sister like Beezus! Beverly Cleary is the greatest!

I ordered Beverly Cleary's two autobiographies on Amazon, and recieved them last week. The first of the two is called, "A Girl From Yamhill" and the second is, "My Own Two Feet". Both are excellently written. The first is of her childhood until she goes off to college and the second is her college days and a few years beyond. She has a style of writing that makes you feel as though you have known her your whole life and are the dearest of friends. What amazed me the most about these books is how timeless they are. Even though she grew up during the depression and went to college before the advent of computers and the technology boom, it was eye opening to see that the human condition and experiences don't really change all that much. She is an excellent storyteller, and the words on the page lept into my mind's eye and I could see it unfold before as if I were watching it on a movie screen. I was sad to see the first book end, but glad that I had ordered the second book as well. Then when I finished the second book I found myself wishing that she had written another book to tell more of her life's stories. I finished reading them both within a couple of days and found myself doing something I have never done before. I immediately began to read them again ( I am currently half way through the first book). If you grew up loving her children's books as I did, then these are a must have.

When I was in grade school I read every Beverly Cleary book I could. I have never forgotten Ramona or Henrie! This Memoir was simply written. Really not much happens here. There isn't a lot of depth to Ms. Cleary's writting but I will admit I enjoyed this book very much. I am planning on reading the sequel next!

As an avid reader of contemporary fiction, it was a pleasant and surprising change of pace to read this autobiography of Beverly Cleary's early years. Her life on the Yamhill is depicted with such immediacy and heartfelt affection that it made me wish I had brought my children up on a farm. It seems that the farm years (only until 1st grade) set her up for life. The rest of Beverly's life in Portland was marked by arguments with her strict and difficult mother, the poverty of the depression, and her father's sadness at being away from the farm he loved. Somehow Beverly always retains her sense of self and makes her life sound downright enviable. The tales of her struggles with school, her mother, money, and an over-ardent boyfriend are told with humor and equanimity. The reader can't help but love Beverly. She makes you yearn for a simpler time. I know that she turned 89 last week. I hope she is well.

Having read many of Beverly Cleary's books when I was a kid, I was rather surprised that her childhood was actually a sad, unhappy time for her, with an unloving mother. She recounts her childhood with amazing detail. I felt so sorry for Beverly for having such a cruel, unloving mother. It's amazing that she grew up to be so successful even though she had very little encouragement at home. Even though this was a very sad book, it was very well written.

i loved the ramona quimby books growing up. i read them until they fell apart. after reading A Girl from Yamhill, i'm considering buying and reading them all over again. Beverly Cleary writes so simply with few descriptions and yet you can see, hear, smell, feel everything she writes about. i am never left wondering or wanting. her love of people and places, especially when she writes about her grandparents and Puddin', shines through without the annoying wordiness i find in other memoirs.

i especially loved the pictures scattered throughout the books. she is adorable and you can see a little bit of ramona in her. :)

like every one else i used to read her books as akid.this was great you can see that alot of the way she was comes out in her books.i really loved read this book.