Description
Highlights a plucky role model for the ages. -Kirkus Reviews
After reading about Amelia Earhart in her friend's scrapbook, twelve-year-old Ginny Ross decides to become a pilot. It's 1930 and luckily, the airstrip in her hometown of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, is a popular launching point for intrepid aviators setting out on transatlantic flights. But how will Ginny's dream take flight when her mother—and society in general—so fiercely believes a woman's place is in the home? At the height of the Great Depression, the Ross family certainly can't spare any money for flying lessons, and Ginny will need a mentor if she is ever going to make it out of Harbour Grace.
With the support of her beloved Papa, kind Uncle Harry, and resourceful Aunt Rose, Ginny takes matters into her own hands. When Amelia Earhart herself shows up in Harbour Grace for her first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Ginny notices the townspeoples' looks of shock and disgust are slowly turning to looks of admiration and respect. Maybe they will soon understand Ginny's dream, and maybe Amelia Earhart is the woman to help convince them.
Based on the real girlhood of author Heather Stemp's Aunt Ginny, Amelia and Me is a big-hearted story of determination, grit, and adventure. Readers will love the archival photos of Amelia Earhart and her plane, along with the interesting historical details skillfully weaved throughout the book.
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE August 1931
CHAPTER TWO Impulse
CHAPTER THREE Flight
CHAPTER FOUR Escape
CHAPTER FIVE Consequences
CHAPTER SIX Trouble
CHAPTER SEVEN Grounded
CHAPTER EIGHT Amelia Earhart
CHAPTER NINE Guilt
CHAPTER TEN Tailwind
CHAPTER ELEVEN Reward
CHAPTER TWELVE The Gift
CHAPTER THIRTEEN Letter
CHAPTER FOURTEEN School
CHAPTER FIFTEEN More Trouble
CHAPTER SIXTEEN Invention
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Ground School
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Joy and Tragedy
CHAPTER NINETEEN Final Goodbye
PART TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY March 1932
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Finding Amelia
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO The Train
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Stuck
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Decision
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Port aux Basques
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Elizabeth
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Ferry
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT Boston
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE Rye, New York
CHAPTER THIRTY The Putnam House
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Home
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Change
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Louis Reichers
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Amelia
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE Amelia and Me
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Preparations
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Takeoff
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT The Long Night
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE News At Last
EPILOGUE September 1932
Photos
Photo Credits
Author's Note
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Biographical note
Heather Stemp's Newfoundland heritage goes back to her great-grandfather who immigrated from Ireland in the mid-1800's. Her grandfather, grandmother, aunt, and father were all born and raised in Harbour Grace. Her earliest memories include fish and brewis, lassy bread, boiled suppers, and a house load of people talking, laughing, and calling her "some sweet".
After 30 years as an English teacher, Heather retired and wrote, Amelia and Me, a middle grade historical fiction, which was short listed for the 2014 Red Cedar Award. Her second book, Under Amelia's Wing, continues the story of her Aunt Ginny's adventures with Amelia Earhart. She is currently working on the third book in the Ginny Ross series.
Heather lives in North Bay with her husband Don. She has two children and four grandchildren who love to read about their Newfoundland roots.
