Mavis Betterly is the youngest sister in a family of Kansas pioneers in the 1870s. The Betterly family is struggling, so May is sent to live with another family 15 long miles away to earn wages as a helper. May doesn't want to leave, but she doesn't have a choice, and thus begins her bitter adventure.

Told in free verse poetry, May's story is about overcoming powerful odds. Not only is May left to fend for herself in a leaking sod cabin in the dead of winter with hungry wolves outside her door--she is also haunted by memories of her difficult school days where she struggled to read because of a condition we would now know as dyslexia.

In very few words, author Caroline Starr Rose conveys May's inner turmoil and her struggle to find not just a way to survive but a way to believe herself worthy of survival. It's a powerful tale, indeed.

It was heavy on the bleak with nary a giggle, which isn't really my taste. I like a good sad read, but it's better seasoned with moments of levity, which this book completely lacked. So that is why I'm giving it three instead of four stars. As a Newbery contender, my personal taste aside, I'd give it four. ( )

Not uplifting. Not worth shelf space. ( )

This was a good solid middle grade story about a girl named May during the early settlers time of Kansas where homes are few and far apart and children start work early. To help bring more money to her family, May is sent to live with a newly married couple to help with things like cooking and cleaning just until Christmas. May does not want to be sent away from home, but she has no choice. It is August when she arrives. The new bride is not happy about being there and is homesick. One day sometime in August, the new bride runs away and the husband goes out to find her. May is left alone. May waits and tries to continue caring for the home, but hours turns into days, days turns to weeks, and weeks turns to months. During this time, she is struggling to survive with what she has as well as trying to keep up with her schooling as she is dyslexic and has difficulties reading. It truly amazes me what kids were capable of back then. I don't think many children would know how to care for themselves in this way. This was a super quick read and it is written in verse. I read the entire thing in just a couple of hours. ( )

I enjoyed this pioneer story of twelve-year-old May, struggling to survive on her own on the prairies. I also liked her flashbacks at school where she battled with learning difficulties, they made her more relatable and interesting, and showed her resilience and strength of character. May's voice was compelling and I think many readers would identify with her.

Written in verse "May B" was a quick, lyrical read which finished with a sense of hope. ( )

It’s Kansas in the days of horse-drawn wagons and houses made of sod. Mavis Betterly, otherwise known as May B., must go live with the newlywed neighbors and help them keep house. The problem is that the neighbors are fifteen miles away, and May doesn’t want to go. She wants to stay home and continue to improve her reading, a subject she finds very difficult. May goes, only slightly comforted to know that her father will come back right before Christmas to bring her home.

But with months left to stay, the wife leaves, and the husband goes after her. After several days, May realizes they aren’t coming back. She finds herself alone in the house, with wolves out on the prairie, a limited supply of food and firewood, no idea which way is home, and winter fast approaching.

Can May B. survive? Will she believe the people from her past who have told her she’s no good, or will she decide for herself what she’s capable of?

This novel is told in unrhymed verse and moves very quickly. If you like historical fiction and stories of strong, determined kids, spend an afternoon with May B. ( )

I fell in love with May; her determination, strength, and courage are characteristics of a hero anyone would root for. I was so proud of her throughout her whole adventure. ( )

I roared through this book in two sittings. It is beautifully written - and completely in verse!! I usually dislike narratives in verse, but May B crossed over into being liked by all readers.

I read this with my girls book group, aged 9-13, and they all really enjoyed reading it. They empathized with May B - her challenges at the school, her isolation, and her overall journey.

An excellent read, recommended for everyone. ( )

Excellent. Just excellent. ( )

A historical fiction novel that is a very easy book to get into. A story of a girl that lives on the prairie and ends up on her own and having to survive.

A swift, sweet read -- a middle-grade novel in verse. Grab this if you loved "On The Banks of Plum Creek." ( )

The story of Mavis (May B) who goes to be a companion (actually a maid) for a young wife who does NOT want to be living on the prairie in a sod house in the later 1800s. If you enjoyed Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, you will probably enjoy this. The book looks fairly thick, but the story is written in verse format and does not take nearly as long to read as one might expect. This looks like a fairly common occurrence for many new books. I wonder if they think they will sell more copies if the book is thick or if the authors really are writing them in this particular format.

I guess I do need to say that the blurb for the book is what enticed me to read it, NOT the cover. If I saw that cover at a public library, I would probably pass on it. ( )

Fans of the Little House on the Prairie Books would like this book. Would you be able to survive if you were left on your own in a soddy house on the prairie? Shows how tough you can be when you need to survive. ( )

#Bookaday. Wow, wow, wow. Loved this one. Written in strong, descriptive verse, this is the story of a girl abandoned on the prairie, who must survive loneliness and deprivation and the memory of her failures at school. A perfect companion to "The Long Winter." ( )

Caroline Starr Rose is
A Laura Ingalls Wilder
Who traded her prose
For poetry
But she did not
Go awry.

She is an apple
That did not fall
Far from the tree.

( )

May is helping out on a neighbor's homestead - just until Christmas, her pa promises. But when a terrible turn of events leaves her all alone, she must try to find food and fuel - and courage - to make it through the approaching winter. ( )

A girl that struggles with dyslexia finds herself in need and alone. This verse novel follows May throughout her trails. Written in first person, this novel can be used as an introduction to poetry for elementary school students or as an evaluation to see how much students know about poetry. ( )

4 stars. Review to come. ( )

You know how once in a while you read a book that really touches your heart? May B did that. In its seemingly simpleness (notice I said “seemingly” – more on that in a moment) May B reached out and wrapped itself –herself – around my heart. As a girl that grew up loving Little House on the Prairie – reading and rereading them countless times, reading May B was almost like getting together with an old friend. Not so much the writing style but more the character of May and how much she reminded me of the character of Laura. Both stubborn and tough. Smart and resourceful. I honestly believe they could’ve been friends had they ever met. The number of times I reread about Laura put her firmly in my heart, but May – she was put there in one reading. Her courage and determination nestled its way in without taking no for an answer! Not that I would’ve said no to her mind you. Here was a young girl left alone with no way of knowing when anyone would ever return. Yet she never panicked and never gave up. She just let her natural stubbornness come in and help! I just loved her. I guess you should know that my family has always said that I’m extremely stubborn. Maybe that’s why I loved May so – because I saw some of me in her. Although I do not thing I would’ve been as brave as her.

Now about that “seemingly” part. Caroline Rose Starr put May so firmly in my heart using verse. Yes if you didn’t know May B is a novel told in verse. So she didn’t use long descriptive passages or lots of inter-musings of May’s. Instead Caroline Rose Starr painted her in the purest of lines and in the fewest of words. It seemed effortless. It seemed simple. But I know that when working within verse every word was placed so precisely with complete care and thought. And I knew this to be true because it never once faltered or stuttered. Instead it flowed out and into the reader grasping them with its charm and May’s quiet determination. What an amazing book.

I guess I could say more – but I feel like spewing word after word about it would almost take away from the simple beauty of it. Instead I encourage you to read it and see for yourself.

Final thought: Simplicity at its best
Best stick with you image: the vastness of the land around her
Best for readers who: are willing to read verse and who love strong girl characters
Best for ages: 11+

For the guys? yes if you can get them to read verse

Once I started reading, I could not put this down. ( )

I enjoyed this so much! Stories in verse are hard, and Caroline does a great job conveying the emotional core of May B. I also liked the way she wove in dyslexia; the frustration May feels is authentic. ( )

This book surprised me. I didn't think I would like a book told in verse but it grabbed me from the start. I found myself completely immersed in the story - I felt like I was there with May B. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book! ( )

May B. is a fast read, but it is a little hard to get into at first. The novel-in-verse format is jarring for young readers used to the way a book is supposed to sound. That being said, it is a wonderful introduction to poetry and becomes easier to grasp as the story progresses.

The story itself is slow but has its moments. The dyslexia subplot was tedious, breaking from the story the reader really wanted to hear about and adding almost nothing to the story. The verse does a good job of creating a feeling of isolation and loss. The character of May was inspiring and human enough, and it was wonderful to see a character in a children's book have genuine emotions.

If you're a fan of slow and simple, this may be worth consuming. Maybe. May B. : / ( )

This book is composed of non-rhyming poems in verses that tell the story of May B. ( )

This book was mentioned as a potential Newbery award winner. I can see why it was in the running.

Written in free style verse, this tool works to convey the thoughts, feelings and emotions of young May B. who is abandoned on the South Dakota prairie.

Money is tight and May's family accepts funds from a homesteader who lives with his wife 15 miles from May's parents. In return for the money, she must leave her family and live with Mr Oblinger and his mail-order bridge and help with household chores.

When Oblinger's young bride runs away to return home, Mr. Oblinger seeks to find her. Leaving May behind for months alone on the plain, there is no communication from the outside world.

As the days turn to night and day into night and then day into night again, and as the days turn to weeks to months, days to weeks to months, May B. is alone and very frightened. When food and any source of heat is gone, May must make a plan.

Wisely, she learns to fend for herself, but when a blizzard sweeps across the prairie, cutting off light and a passage outside, May must use all her courage to plan escape.

The rhythm of the phrasing lends the ability to feel the boredom and the fear of May B.

Recommended! ( )

Books like this one are educating me in the joys of free verse, and I'm learning to love it. May B. is a young girl in 1860s Kansas, who struggles with a reading problem, but longs to become a teacher. She is sent by her parents to a nearby soddy to help the new wife become acclimated to the prairie. Eventually she finds she has to rely only on her own knowledge and wits to survive. A well written and fascinating look at the taming of the prairie. ( )