Emily's Runaway Imagination

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 [b:The Golden Name Day|945276|The Golden Name Day (Golden Name Day #1)|Jennie D. Lindquist|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1401996767l/945276._SY75_.jpg|930211]. 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 show more 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.... show less

In one of her standalone novels, Cleary writes a semi-historical piece about a young girl living in Oregon just at the time that automobiles are appearing on the roads. Emily is an inventive child who loves her parents, her fine house ( with the second bathtub in Yamhill County), and her grandparents and their grocer's store. She sometimes can be carried away by her fancies, or, as her mother frequently tells her, lets her imagination run away with her. Like the time when she decides to bleach their farm horse. Her cousin Muriel is coming to visit, and has been raving about the book Black Beauty, and Emily doesn't think their poor plodding work horse is elegant enough for her. The story is basically a collection of sweet anecdotes like show more that one, with one broader story arc about the library that Emily's mom is busy creating.

Emily is a spunky girl, well developed, charming, and perfectly captures a child's voice. The setting of the book was a treat: it presented a time in the history of our country that is not too distant with the simplicity that is necessary for a child's book. I enjoyed reading about her grandfather's new car, and the hard times party where the town puts on its best face despite economic difficulties of the time. I was disappointed in the presentation of Mr. Quock, the one Asian man in the town. Her characterization of him isn't derogatory, but rather condescending and stereotyped. I'm hoping Cleary was writing to convey the attitudes of the town at that point in time, rather than her own perspective. Other than that, the novel is a great choice for youngsters, especially if one wanted to introduce them to some of our history in a gentle fashion. A discussion on the history and treatment of Asian Americans would be a good accompaniment. show less

Emily Bartlett is a lively young girl growing up in the small town of Pitchfork, Oregon. She dreams of the town having its own library, and her mother is working toward that goal as well. Emily has many amusing adventures, like the time she feeds the hogs some rotted cider apples just before her mother's fancy ladies' tea, causing the hogs to behave in a decidedly undignified fashion. Or the time she bleaches the family's white plowhorse, because her horse-crazy big-city cousin Muriel is coming to visit and Emily wants to make a good impression. Or the time she goes for a ride in her grandfather's new automobile, and they encounter some interesting mechanical difficulties . . .

This is a gentle story, not as charming as the Ramona books, show more but still a pleasant read. Some of the attitudes portrayed do not jibe with modern sensibilities, but reflect the stereotypes and prejudices of the book's time. I picked this up because I could not remember if I had read it as a child -- now, having read it, I still can't remember! Some of the episodes in the book seem familiar, while others don't strike any chords for me. I would recommend it only to readers who are big fans of Cleary's writing and wish to read everything she has written -- readers unfamiliar with Cleary would be best advised to start with one of her more popular series about Henry or Ramona or Ralph. show less

This was such a cute book. The little girl Emily has quite a mind and imagination of her own. because it was written in the early 1900's. things we are used to every day were not present in Emily's time. Her love for books and desire to be up to date, she dreams of bringing a Library to her town in Oregon. Throughout the story, this mischievous and non-stop child does some wild things that no normal child would do. Definitely a funny book!

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?

I loved this book as a young girl and read it several times. The title drew me in, I had and still have a serious runaway imagination. I was intrigued by the setting, both time and place. Hat pins? Don't have a library? People on farms don't eat lunch? These were all new ideas for me. I haven't reread this book in years and even now the details are coming back to me like I read it yesterday.

This is a quiet book - there isn't any great conflict. The major story is the efforts to get a public library started in the small town where Emily lives. The charm of the book lies in the peek it gives the reader of the world where motor cars were just beginning to come into fashion. Emily thinks often of her pioneer ancestors and doesn't feel that removed from them. Emily has some fun adventures, which seem to work out o.k. - it reminds me, as an adult, about how the small things can make kids worry.