Amelia and Me facts for kids
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| Author | Heather Stemp |
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| Cover artist | Graham Blair |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic fiction |
| Set in | Harbour Grace, Newfoundland |
| Publisher | Flanker Press |
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Publication date
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13 August 2013 |
| Media type | Paperback, ebook |
| Pages | 210 |
| ISBN | 978-1-77117-254-7 |
Amelia and Me is an exciting children's book written by Heather Stemp in 2013. It's a story about a brave 12-year-old girl named Ginny Ross who dreams of flying. The book is special because it's based on the author's own family history! Ginny Ross, the main character, is actually Heather Stemp's aunt. The story takes place in real locations like Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. This book was recognized as one of the best books for kids and teens in 2014 and was even nominated for the Red Cedar Book Award.
Main Characters
- Virginia (Ginny) Ross: A brave, smart, and determined 12-year-old girl. She dreams of becoming a pilot, also known as an aviatrix.
- Joseph (Joe) Ross (Papa): Ginny's loving grandfather. He owns a grocery store and always supports Ginny's dreams.
- Renie Ross: Ginny's mother. She is loving but also a bit stubborn. She believes flying is for men and wants Ginny to be a polite, well-dressed lady.
- Uncle Harry: A mechanic and airport supervisor. He helps Ginny follow her dreams and teaches her about planes and cars.
- Amelia Earhart: A famous real-life pilot. She inspires Ginny throughout the story.
- Aunt Rose: Ginny's friendly and understanding aunt. She works at the Archibald Hotel.
- Llewellyn (Llew) Crane: A 15-year-old boy who works in Papa's store.
- Jennie Mae Stevenson: Ginny's best friend.
- Ginny's father: He worked in Toronto.
- Elizabeth Harris: A kind woman Ginny meets on her journey. Her husband recently passed away.
- Nana Ross: Ginny's grandmother.
- Billy Ross: Ginny's six-year-old brother.
The Story of Amelia and Me
The story begins in August 1931, during the Great Depression. Ginny Ross, her cousin Pat, and her best friend Jennie Mae sneak out. They want to watch a plane called City of New York take off. But the plane crashes, and Ginny gets caught.
A few days later, Jennie Mae, Llewellyn, and Ginny search for the plane owner's dog. They find it and get a reward of one hundred dollars. Ginny lets her papa use most of her share for his store. Ginny's mom takes the rest for sewing supplies. That night, Ginny writes a letter to Amelia Earhart. She explains her situation and her dreams.
One day, Ginny and Jennie Mae decide to build a model of a plane's cockpit. They use paint and a wooden crate. After almost two weeks, the model is finished. Uncle Harry agrees to teach the girls the basics of flying.
Four weeks later, Ginny gets a letter back from Amelia Earhart! She rushes to tell her papa. But she finds him sleeping. When she tries to wake him, he slips from his chair. The doctor comes, but it is too late. Papa has passed away.
Five months go by after papa's funeral. Ginny's dad takes over running the store. Ginny reads Amelia's letter again while the kettle boils. When the kettle whistles, she leaves the letter on the table. Her mom picks it up, rips it, and throws it into the stove. Ginny is told she must quit school. She needs to work full-time to help her family.
Early one morning, Ginny packs her things. She writes a letter to Amelia. She borrows money from Llewellyn. She also takes back some of the reward money her mom had taken. Ginny gets on a train to Port aux Basques. On the train, Ginny sees her papa's ghost. Papa encourages her to think more. He tells her she will never be alone.
Ginny also meets Elizabeth Harris, a friendly woman. Elizabeth's husband had recently died. Elizabeth tells Ginny she can stay at her house. Ginny feels guilty about her lies. She tells Elizabeth that she is going to see Amelia Earhart. Later, she meets papa again. She tells him about her decision. Papa smiles and says he is proud of her.
Ginny boards the ferry early on the seventh day. After the ferry arrives at North Sydney, she takes a train to Boston. She asks for directions to Amelia's address. But she gets robbed on the way. The lady had given her the wrong directions.
On her way to Amelia's house, Ginny sees her other grandparents' house. When she rings the bell, Mom Davis opens it. She locks Ginny in the bedroom. Ginny uses the bedspread to escape.
When Ginny arrives at Amelia's house, a lady tells her Amelia has not been there for months. She gives Ginny directions to Rye, New York. Ginny has no money left. She goes to the information lady at the train station for help. The lady helps her sneak onto the train to New York City.
In New York City, Ginny asks for directions to Rye, New York. She has a map but no money. She has no choice but to walk. She walks for a few hours and sleeps in a culvert under the road. The next morning, an old lady with a chubby cat notices Ginny. She offers Ginny a ride. Ginny arrives at Rye at two in the afternoon.
After walking for a long time in the rain, Ginny finally arrives at Amelia's house. After a bath and clean clothes, she tells Amelia her story. Amelia tells her that quitting school will only delay her plans, not end them. She promises to be in touch soon.
Ginny returns home. She finds her Nana very upset and worried. Her mom is at her wit's end, and Billy is crying and taking things. However, the mood changes the next morning.
Five days later, Uncle Harry announces the next flight. On May 20, Bernt Balchen, Ed Gorski, and a third person will fly to Harbour Grace. The name of the third person is not announced. Ginny realizes the secret person is Amelia Earhart. On the day Amelia arrives, Ginny's mom locks her in her bedroom. But Billy saves her with the keys.
A while after meeting Amelia again, Ginny finds her mom bursting into the hotel. Amelia convinces Ginny's mom that Ginny is capable of becoming a pilot.
After Amelia leaves for her solo transatlantic flight, Ginny anxiously waits for news. The next morning, Uncle Harry announces Amelia's successful landing in Paris. Ginny goes to talk to her mom at the store. Her dad finds unopened boxes of supplies. The store is back in business! Ginny confesses that she is not the kind of daughter her mom wants. But she will make money by flying and send it home. Her mom says she does not want to lose her, not her help.
The Ross family faces each day as it comes. Billy begins to help at the store. Ginny is taught by her teacher three evenings a week. She is learning faster than Pat and Jennie Mae. She writes to Elizabeth regularly. Her mom's lecturing and hitting have stopped. Amelia writes a letter saying she is looking for ways to involve women in flying. She wants to partner with a school. Ginny shows the letter to her mom. Her mom smiles and says she may be proud of her someday.
