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Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance
Winner of the 2005 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
It is 1901 and Mable Riley dreams of adventure and of becoming a writer. When her older sister leaves home to become a schoolmistress in the small town of Stratford, Ontario, Mable is sent along too. Mable hopes her new world will be full of peril and romance. But life at the Goodhand Farm (where the sisters board), is as humdrum as the one she’s left behind.
Then Mable encounters the mysterious Mrs. Rattle, a peculiar widow with a taste for upsetting the townspeople with her strange opinions. Mrs. Rattle is a real writer, and Mable eagerly accepts her invitation to a meeting of the Ladies Reading Society. But the ladies are not discussing books at all, and Mable may soon have more peril than she’d bargained for!
Composed of the letters Mable sends home, the poems she writes for her classmates, and chapters from her own work-in-progress, Mable Riley is the funny, inspiring, (and reliable) record of a young girl finding her voice, and the courage to make it heard.
From the Hardcover edition.
It is 1901 and Mable Riley dreams of adventure and of becoming a writer. When her older sister leaves home to become a schoolmistress in the small town of Stratford, Ontario, Mable is sent along too. Mable hopes her new world will be full of peril and romance. But life at the Goodhand Farm (where the sisters board), is as humdrum as the one she’s left behind.
Then Mable encounters the mysterious Mrs. Rattle, a peculiar widow with a taste for upsetting the townspeople with her strange opinions. Mrs. Rattle is a real writer, and Mable eagerly accepts her invitation to a meeting of the Ladies Reading Society. But the ladies are not discussing books at all, and Mable may soon have more peril than she’d bargained for!
Composed of the letters Mable sends home, the poems she writes for her classmates, and chapters from her own work-in-progress, Mable Riley is the funny, inspiring, (and reliable) record of a young girl finding her voice, and the courage to make it heard.
From the Hardcover edition.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2004
7 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Marthe Jocelyn
57 books179 followersCanadian born
22 books published for young readers"
22 books published for young readers"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 3, 2023
Albeit that Marthe Jocelyn's Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance should have totally been right up my proverbial reading alley so to speak (considering that I tend to adore historical fiction and especially if it is penned as a first person narration), I do have to admit that while Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance did start getting much more readable and enjoyable about half way through my perusal, I also really cannot say that I ever managed to fully warm up to fictional diarist and first person narrator Mable Riley and certainly and therefore do not and will not consider her a true kindred spirit (even though I of course also very much acknowledge that Mable really does majorly mature and start to become less self-invloved the further along her fictional journal entries and letters stretch).
But yes, when I first started reading Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, while Mable's narrative voice was definitely interesting and engaging enough, especially in the first part of her journal entries, in the first part of Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, I did and most annoyingly and frustratingly so consider Mable as more than a bit too full of herself and also with a most annoying tendency to boast about her literary talents and her supposed lyricism (using criticisms of others that were not really ever truly warranted, acting all holier than thou and certainly showing a massively inflated ego) and so much so that I was more than once in fact even tempted to stop reading Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, since while I do generally very much enjoy first person narrations, I also tend to react rather majorly allergically to first person narrators with overly inflated egos and a ridiculously and overly exaggeratedly high opinion of themselves.
And while by the end of Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance I could certainly then appreciate Mable Riley as a person and how much she has managed to mature, to become less of a diarist and letter writer simply tooting her own horn (and that yes, some of her considerations regarding Mrs. Rattle and the strike at the cheese factory do indeed pretty much brilliantly demonstrate just how much Mable has grown), I still cannot really say that I have found Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance an unadulterated reading pleasure. And therefore, only three stars maximum as a ranking for Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance (because aside from me often having my issues with Mable Riley's voice and her attitudes and behaviours at the beginning of Marthe Jocelyn's presented narrative, I have also found that I was often needing to skim over and sometimes even skip Mable Riley’s inserted and “penned by herself” romance tale, finding it majorly and annoyingly tedious, although the inserted romance text also and of course manages to point out rather vigorously the both content and stylistic based mistakes especially new and younger writers often tend to make, but indeed, this did not and does not really make Mable's little story any more pleasant to read, although I also do think that this is meant to be deliberate, that Marthe Jocelyn has in fact intended the inserted romance tale in Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance to be a rather frustrating reading slog).
Finally and edited to add is that while I have in fact very much enjoyed the sense and spirit of historical time and Southern Ontario turn of the century place and feel that Marthe Jocelyn has created a nicely realistic piece of historical Canadiana with Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, I also do kind of wish that Jocelyn had made a note with regard to Berlin, Ontario, as I am not sure that all readers would automatically know that Berlin, Ontario is today’s Kitchener, Ontario and that Berlin was changed to Kitchener during WWI due to anti German attitudes and sentiment.
But yes, when I first started reading Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, while Mable's narrative voice was definitely interesting and engaging enough, especially in the first part of her journal entries, in the first part of Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, I did and most annoyingly and frustratingly so consider Mable as more than a bit too full of herself and also with a most annoying tendency to boast about her literary talents and her supposed lyricism (using criticisms of others that were not really ever truly warranted, acting all holier than thou and certainly showing a massively inflated ego) and so much so that I was more than once in fact even tempted to stop reading Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, since while I do generally very much enjoy first person narrations, I also tend to react rather majorly allergically to first person narrators with overly inflated egos and a ridiculously and overly exaggeratedly high opinion of themselves.
And while by the end of Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance I could certainly then appreciate Mable Riley as a person and how much she has managed to mature, to become less of a diarist and letter writer simply tooting her own horn (and that yes, some of her considerations regarding Mrs. Rattle and the strike at the cheese factory do indeed pretty much brilliantly demonstrate just how much Mable has grown), I still cannot really say that I have found Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance an unadulterated reading pleasure. And therefore, only three stars maximum as a ranking for Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance (because aside from me often having my issues with Mable Riley's voice and her attitudes and behaviours at the beginning of Marthe Jocelyn's presented narrative, I have also found that I was often needing to skim over and sometimes even skip Mable Riley’s inserted and “penned by herself” romance tale, finding it majorly and annoyingly tedious, although the inserted romance text also and of course manages to point out rather vigorously the both content and stylistic based mistakes especially new and younger writers often tend to make, but indeed, this did not and does not really make Mable's little story any more pleasant to read, although I also do think that this is meant to be deliberate, that Marthe Jocelyn has in fact intended the inserted romance tale in Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance to be a rather frustrating reading slog).
Finally and edited to add is that while I have in fact very much enjoyed the sense and spirit of historical time and Southern Ontario turn of the century place and feel that Marthe Jocelyn has created a nicely realistic piece of historical Canadiana with Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance, I also do kind of wish that Jocelyn had made a note with regard to Berlin, Ontario, as I am not sure that all readers would automatically know that Berlin, Ontario is today’s Kitchener, Ontario and that Berlin was changed to Kitchener during WWI due to anti German attitudes and sentiment.
May 27, 2015
Oh, Mabel Riley, I almost gave up on you. When we met you were so very full of yourself, your writer's eye eager to find faults rather than virtues in others, believing yourself far more clever and witty than most. And yet, the very aspects of your personality I found so unappealing also compelled me to stick out our acquaintance because I wanted to see if you would improve. Fortunately, when you meet Mrs. Rattle and learn of the plight of the women working in the local cheese factory (not to mention the wider ideas of votes for women) you find a cause that calls you out of yourself. If only your story had been a bit more even; the truly interesting parts don't begin until half way through. Still, I'm glad I stayed with you, and I appreciate that various aspects were presented in the factory saga. The episodic story you sent to your friend was also quite amusing; though rife with the mistakes of a young writer, it also holds promise for your literary future. Best of luck to you, Mable!
May 26, 2023
I quite enjoyed Mable Riley - she's a spunky heroine living in the early 1900s in rural Ontario (Canada). I had flashing reminders of L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott - if you enjoy their work, you will probably like Mable.
The story is told through her diary entries. Mable is 14 years old, and wants to be a writer. She has accompanied her sister, Viola to a farming community near Stratford, Ontario where Viola is to be the new teacher. Their mother is widowed, and the family needs the income. Mable reports on her life, which on the surface may seem dull. She enlivens her world by writing a romance involving a train robbery and handsome villains and a stronger than normal damsel in distress. But real life takes a turn: she encounters Mrs. Cora Rattle, who wears bloomers and speaks her mind, and is considered to be a crazy lady by the town. Mrs. Rattle invites Mable to a 'reading society' which turns out to be a cover for a group of women who support suffragist causes. Through this group, Mable learns a thing or two about reality for women, and grows up quite a bit in a short time. We note her maturity in her later approach to her romance writing, which she comes to see as silly.
It's a gentle introduction to feminism, probably more gentle than this generation of young women need - they can certainly handle a tougher approach. But it's a good reminder of how far we have come, how our ancestral sisters fought their battles, and how every woman (young and old) needs to ask questions and be open to learning, like Mable is, and unlike her upright sister, Viola.
The story is told through her diary entries. Mable is 14 years old, and wants to be a writer. She has accompanied her sister, Viola to a farming community near Stratford, Ontario where Viola is to be the new teacher. Their mother is widowed, and the family needs the income. Mable reports on her life, which on the surface may seem dull. She enlivens her world by writing a romance involving a train robbery and handsome villains and a stronger than normal damsel in distress. But real life takes a turn: she encounters Mrs. Cora Rattle, who wears bloomers and speaks her mind, and is considered to be a crazy lady by the town. Mrs. Rattle invites Mable to a 'reading society' which turns out to be a cover for a group of women who support suffragist causes. Through this group, Mable learns a thing or two about reality for women, and grows up quite a bit in a short time. We note her maturity in her later approach to her romance writing, which she comes to see as silly.
It's a gentle introduction to feminism, probably more gentle than this generation of young women need - they can certainly handle a tougher approach. But it's a good reminder of how far we have come, how our ancestral sisters fought their battles, and how every woman (young and old) needs to ask questions and be open to learning, like Mable is, and unlike her upright sister, Viola.
April 9, 2009
Slightly uneasy mix of a new-school L.M. Montgomery and a Canadian Girl series - not much rings true, sadly.
June 12, 2014
This adorable book is written from a fourteen year old girl's view of what's going on around her in the 1900's. Much like the title says, it is a record of the "humdrumness," peril and the romance that happens in a small village that she has just recently moved to with her sister, the village's new teacher.
This spunky girl is learning about views, opinions and the work that women have to do and she has to decide whether or not she is on the side of the suffragists or if she's going to be what everyone else views a woman as, the one who does the housework and listens to the man of the house, not imposing her opinions on anyone else.
At first I didn't really enjoy the book, but as the adventure that the girl, Mable Riley, so longs to find kicks up I found myself more and more intrigued with "what will happen next" in Mable Riley's story.
This spunky girl is learning about views, opinions and the work that women have to do and she has to decide whether or not she is on the side of the suffragists or if she's going to be what everyone else views a woman as, the one who does the housework and listens to the man of the house, not imposing her opinions on anyone else.
At first I didn't really enjoy the book, but as the adventure that the girl, Mable Riley, so longs to find kicks up I found myself more and more intrigued with "what will happen next" in Mable Riley's story.
August 28, 2010
Jocelyn’s Marble Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum Peril and Romance is children book about the adventures of fourteen year old who travels to a different town to assist her sister as a teacher. She and her sister live at a local farmer’s house (Mr. Goodhand). Marble, a spirited girl who aims to be a writer encounters quite a few adventures in care of Goodhands. There is an odd lady who seems to live alone and is scoffed at by the rest of the community. Mrs. Rattle’s unconventional dressing style and thoughts lead to many conflicts with other members of the town of Sellerton. Marble’s responsibility is to give cornbread to Mrs. Rattle. They soon become friends. Mrs Rattle is fighting against the sordid condition that women work at a local cheese factory. Mrs. Rattle introduces Marble to concepts of social justice and women’s rights. Both of these topics are closer heart. We as a society have come a long way since married women were not allowed to teach but still have a long way to go. I would recommended to every 10 years. I applaud the author to introduce children to such important topics in such a fun manner. A five star read by all accounts.
Favorite Quotes
1. Girls, in particular are forced ti don a heavy harness without much preparation. (p 60)
2. The strain upon his heart too much to pursue recovery (p 60)
3. As we have two ears and one tongue we should hear more than we speak (p 72)
4. And to whom was I loyal too (p 188)
5. It is wiser to be dull than overly merry (p 252)
6. To risk censure and discomfort by following one’s heart is better by far than to obey expectation without a heartbeat.
7. Only upset leads to change
8. Payment for truth is shunning
9. If you overwork a cow you tossed your own cream
Favorite Quotes
1. Girls, in particular are forced ti don a heavy harness without much preparation. (p 60)
2. The strain upon his heart too much to pursue recovery (p 60)
3. As we have two ears and one tongue we should hear more than we speak (p 72)
4. And to whom was I loyal too (p 188)
5. It is wiser to be dull than overly merry (p 252)
6. To risk censure and discomfort by following one’s heart is better by far than to obey expectation without a heartbeat.
7. Only upset leads to change
8. Payment for truth is shunning
9. If you overwork a cow you tossed your own cream
November 6, 2011
Criticisms first: the book begins very abruptly, it takes place in Canada, and there is no solid storyline. Not until you get a little further in, that is. And that is when the pros begin. Yes, it takes place in Canada, but so does Anne of Green Gables, and like that classic, I was able to ignore the general "dullness" Canada-based stories immediately have, because like Anne, Mable Riley is an engaging character, full of wit and innocent, though unrealistic, romantic thoughts of the world and adventure. She makes Canada not seem so dull.
While the majority of this book is a "lifetime story," - one which has no solid storyline, but merely follows the occurrences in someone's life - a plotline begins to develop when Mable meets Mrs. Rattle (who, by the way, is an equally wonderful and eccentric character). The book does not end with a resounding THE END, but rather takes the approach of a real-life journal: not everything is resolved, because in people's lives, things rarely are.
Mable Riley is an entertaining, "homey" tale that should be housed right by Anne of Green Gables - and read by one's children right along with the latter.
While the majority of this book is a "lifetime story," - one which has no solid storyline, but merely follows the occurrences in someone's life - a plotline begins to develop when Mable meets Mrs. Rattle (who, by the way, is an equally wonderful and eccentric character). The book does not end with a resounding THE END, but rather takes the approach of a real-life journal: not everything is resolved, because in people's lives, things rarely are.
Mable Riley is an entertaining, "homey" tale that should be housed right by Anne of Green Gables - and read by one's children right along with the latter.
April 11, 2011
Mable Riley longs for adventure. She hopes that her new situation (as her sister's teaching assistant) in a new place away from all she's known will bring her some adventure. Not so. Her life is just as dull in Sellerton as it was in Ambler's Corners. However, when she befriends an unusual woman who wears bloomers and rides a bicycle, Sellerton is suddenly filled with adventure for Mable.
What I thought: A delightful book. Mable Riley reminded me just a bit of Anne Shirley. Could be because both the girls are native Canadians. Mable is a lively narrator and her account of events is often humorous. I can't begin to pas judgment on the historical details as I'm not that familiar with turn of the century Ontario, Canada, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. Mable is a mischievous girl on the brink of womanhood. I wouldn't mind reading more adventures that feature her.
Favorite Quote: "If I had no books. I would shrivel up like a dead caterpillar" (23).
What I thought: A delightful book. Mable Riley reminded me just a bit of Anne Shirley. Could be because both the girls are native Canadians. Mable is a lively narrator and her account of events is often humorous. I can't begin to pas judgment on the historical details as I'm not that familiar with turn of the century Ontario, Canada, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. Mable is a mischievous girl on the brink of womanhood. I wouldn't mind reading more adventures that feature her.
Favorite Quote: "If I had no books. I would shrivel up like a dead caterpillar" (23).
October 23, 2017
Mable Riley is an adventures girl of 14 that moves when her sister becomes the new teacher in frontier of Canada. As she learns to front the different life style of a small town she makes some friends along the way. One is which teaches her the importance of women empowerment and how writing can change the world. With such new ideas she begins to get into a little bit of trouble but always does what she believes to be right. It is a tale of bravery and is perfect for any young teenage girl.
I really enjoyed the format of the book. Its in the form of Mable's journal and gives a the text an innocent tone as it is from the perspective of a 14 year old girl. Its the perfect type of book to give to a girl that is trying to find her voice. Also one that wants to follow her dreams in writing. Its more of a fun novel and not one I would teach in a classroom. But overall a great novel and fast reader for a rainy weekend.
Warning: Book contains violence and arrest.
I really enjoyed the format of the book. Its in the form of Mable's journal and gives a the text an innocent tone as it is from the perspective of a 14 year old girl. Its the perfect type of book to give to a girl that is trying to find her voice. Also one that wants to follow her dreams in writing. Its more of a fun novel and not one I would teach in a classroom. But overall a great novel and fast reader for a rainy weekend.
Warning: Book contains violence and arrest.
October 8, 2014
This is a charming book. Mable Riley is chronicling in her journal the experience of moving away from her family with her sister, who has accepted a teaching position in another Canadian town in 1901. She is learning about the movement for womens' rights, figuring out what she wants from life, hoping for some adventure, and realizing that one person can make a difference. Maybe that one person will be Mable...
I found some witty and profound statements that I really enjoyed:
"If I had no books, I would shrivel up like a dead caterpillar."
"There should be no such thing as a man's chore, Mable Riley. If women are so reliant upon men, even to light the fire beneath their tea kettles, how are we were to speak out using our own voices?"
"Isn't sunshine the loveliest blessing on the planet?"
"I am ready for upset. I crave upset. Only upset leads to change."
I found some witty and profound statements that I really enjoyed:
"If I had no books, I would shrivel up like a dead caterpillar."
"There should be no such thing as a man's chore, Mable Riley. If women are so reliant upon men, even to light the fire beneath their tea kettles, how are we were to speak out using our own voices?"
"Isn't sunshine the loveliest blessing on the planet?"
"I am ready for upset. I crave upset. Only upset leads to change."
January 16, 2008
Being a sucker for romantic writing styles and historical fiction, I absolutely adored reading this book. I'm left wondering where Mable's life will lead her next. The setting is 1901 Canada and follows social customs of the time, as well as introduces women's suffrage via thorn-in-the-side character Mrs. Cora Rattle. Of course, she immediately becomes Mable's heroine. The romance is very innocent, seeing as how this is a children's book (grades 5-8). Written in journal format with equal parts humdrum, peril, and romance, I would ideally recommend Mable Riley to everyone; however, I know that realistically only those who already have a taste for historical fiction/romance will even consider it. I love it and want more!
December 23, 2013
gr 5-8 279 pgs
1901 Perth County, Ontario Canada. 14 year old Mable is sent to work as a teacher's assistant when her bossy older sister gets a teaching job. Mable longs for excitement and writings stories about romance and adventure to pass the time in this boring town. When town eccentric Mrs. Rattle invites her to the Ladies Reading Society, Mable accepts. Much to her surprise, the Ladies Reading Society doesn't discuss books at all. Instead, they are discussing women's rights and what they can do to change the horrible working conditions for women at the cheese-making factory in town...
A little slow in the beginning, but a great story.
1901 Perth County, Ontario Canada. 14 year old Mable is sent to work as a teacher's assistant when her bossy older sister gets a teaching job. Mable longs for excitement and writings stories about romance and adventure to pass the time in this boring town. When town eccentric Mrs. Rattle invites her to the Ladies Reading Society, Mable accepts. Much to her surprise, the Ladies Reading Society doesn't discuss books at all. Instead, they are discussing women's rights and what they can do to change the horrible working conditions for women at the cheese-making factory in town...
A little slow in the beginning, but a great story.
May 21, 2014
A lovely book, written in journal entries (inspired to do so by journals the author found of her grandmother's). Mable longs for adventure and certainly finds her share of it as she goes with her sister to live with another family while her sister teaches the local children. Mable seems to get herself into scrape after scrape since she is a bit more outspoken than her sister would wish. She unknowingly becomes involved the suffragette movement and also in an employee dispute at the local cheese factory. It's cute and very enjoyable. It would be a good first book in a series. We need more Mable!
September 9, 2013
Why does turn of the century Canada produce such awesome heroines?! If you adored Anne Shirley at any point, Mable Riley will not disappoint. Working as her sister's assistant at a rural school in 1901 Ontario, Mable is a romantic who somehow finds herself caught up in a meeting of suffragists, a strike at the local cheese factory and her sister's romantic secret. She is delightful on all levels! Plus, the narrative is interspersed with her own romantic "novel" which is every bot as ridiculous and melodramatic as you would expect. Fun for someone who has ever read L.M. Montgomery!
July 13, 2013
By all rights, this book should have been dull - but it wasn't. The setting, the events, and the nature of the characters are all of the sort that I typically avoid, but I found myself happily charmed by this book.
Mable's voice is one of the best things about this book - she is fresh, down to earth, and most importantly acts her age. Jocelyn presents early teen-hood in all its awkward, dramatic reality, and it's refreshing for a YA author to finally allow this. There is no forced romance or unlikely level of heroism - just life.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Mable's voice is one of the best things about this book - she is fresh, down to earth, and most importantly acts her age. Jocelyn presents early teen-hood in all its awkward, dramatic reality, and it's refreshing for a YA author to finally allow this. There is no forced romance or unlikely level of heroism - just life.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
November 15, 2010
This is a cute young adult novel that gives a look at life at the turn of the century and at the women who fought for their rights. The main character reminded me a lot of Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables books. I didn't like this as wall as those but I thought it as a pretty good book and one that could teach young girls a little about history.
October 3, 2020
Yes, very much "in the spirit of Anne of Green Gables" as per the blurb up there under the title. As in, AOGG wannabe. This thing doesn't know if it's a school story, a coming of age tale or a suffragist tract--and in trying to be all those things ends up being full of sound and fury, signifying not very much.
The other characters started out okay and ended up being cardboard cutouts à lá Little House on the Prairie (the TV series) or breaking completely with their established characters. Hettie is just one example. She goes from being a giggly schoolgirl who delights in adventure tales to being a finger-wagging Sunday School scholar with never a break or any explanation. Someone needs to tell the authoress that "character development" does not mean "turn the page and they act totally different."
Disappointing. Peril? None (not that I wanted any). Romance? Very little. Humdrum? Yes, swathes of it. By the end I was trudging, and it's a short book.
Yawn.
The other characters started out okay and ended up being cardboard cutouts à lá Little House on the Prairie (the TV series) or breaking completely with their established characters. Hettie is just one example. She goes from being a giggly schoolgirl who delights in adventure tales to being a finger-wagging Sunday School scholar with never a break or any explanation. Someone needs to tell the authoress that "character development" does not mean "turn the page and they act totally different."
Disappointing. Peril? None (not that I wanted any). Romance? Very little. Humdrum? Yes, swathes of it. By the end I was trudging, and it's a short book.
Yawn.
May 20, 2008
One of the reviewers compared this book to Anne of Green Gables which is a dangerous thing to do- especially to a Canadian- so I began this book a little jaded. While I wouldn't say it is in the same league as Anne (which I consider a true classic), it was surprisingly enjoyable. Set the early 1900s in Canada, it is fun to see how a 10 year old girl would deal with the changing times. She also has some sister issues which bring a smile to my face.
This book was set in diary format but also included letters from her friends and family which made it a little more insightful. She also tries to write a romance novel which reminds me of some of the silly books I tried to write around the same age. She is a sweet girl with lots of spirit. I can't wait for Madison to read it!
This book was set in diary format but also included letters from her friends and family which made it a little more insightful. She also tries to write a romance novel which reminds me of some of the silly books I tried to write around the same age. She is a sweet girl with lots of spirit. I can't wait for Madison to read it!
January 16, 2015
I've had this book for some time now, but haven't read it. I got it a library book sale a few years ago. The book is in diary form and is very well written. I really enjoyed reading this book and following the life of Mable for the summer. Really loved her stories that she sent home to a friend. Mabel finds herself in a bit of trouble when the suffragettes draw her into their cause. The lady she admires gets hurt during the rally and Mabel steps in. They all get taken to jail, but her friend tells the police that Mabel was just a bystander. But in the end Mabel is the one who solves the problem at the Cheese Factory. Loved this book.
July 13, 2008
Sweet, clever, and fun. Mable travels with Viola (her older sister) to Viola's first teaching assignment. She gets into all sorts of trouble, mostly because she is rather outspoken - incredibly so for a girl of that time period. The historical references to famous events and people were tied into the story in interesting ways.
A blurb on the back of the dust cover compares Mable Riley to Anne Shirley, but she reminded me more of Emily Starr. Anne is buttertongued, but doesn't sass. Emily and Mable both sass - Mable, I think, a bit more.
A blurb on the back of the dust cover compares Mable Riley to Anne Shirley, but she reminded me more of Emily Starr. Anne is buttertongued, but doesn't sass. Emily and Mable both sass - Mable, I think, a bit more.
May 17, 2015
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
It’s the year 1901, and fourteen-year-old aspiring writer Mable Riley is on her way to fulfilling her dreams, or so she hopes. After moving with her sister to a faraway town, Mable meets a real writer, one who wears daring fashions, unnerves the townsfolk by sharing her opinions, and has a few shocking secrets as well. Designed as a vintage journal, MABLE RILEY follows a feisty girl as she finds her own voice in a time when women struggled for independence — a charmingly told tale that is as funny as it is inspiring.
It’s the year 1901, and fourteen-year-old aspiring writer Mable Riley is on her way to fulfilling her dreams, or so she hopes. After moving with her sister to a faraway town, Mable meets a real writer, one who wears daring fashions, unnerves the townsfolk by sharing her opinions, and has a few shocking secrets as well. Designed as a vintage journal, MABLE RILEY follows a feisty girl as she finds her own voice in a time when women struggled for independence — a charmingly told tale that is as funny as it is inspiring.
August 16, 2010
Mable accompanies her sister to her new little town to start her first job as a schoolteacher in 1901. Mable will be a student and an assistant. Life in the little town is about to get more interesting! Mable's diary reveals her thoughts on leaving home, on making new friends, on her relationship with her bossy big sister, her beginnings at romance, and her budding interest in women's rights. Lots of fun and easy to read.
July 22, 2014
Fourteen year-old Mable moves to a farming community with her schoolteacher sister, Viola. While Mable harbors a secret desire to become a writer and befriends a local suffragette, she finds herself caught up in local politics and romantic thoughts and stories.
If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you will love this story. While I am usually not into these kinds of stories, I found this book quite charming.
If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you will love this story. While I am usually not into these kinds of stories, I found this book quite charming.
February 24, 2015
When Mable Mary Riley goes to Sellerton, Ontario, she wishes for adventure and romance. But little does she think just how true her wish is shaping up to be.
This was a really good book. I liked it a lot.
Here's a good passage:
Luncheon was cold chicken (too dry), buttered peas (a bit slippery), and bread, which was mot so light or tasty as Mama's. Mrs. Goodhand has not such a good hand in the kitchen (!).
This was a really good book. I liked it a lot.
Here's a good passage:
Luncheon was cold chicken (too dry), buttered peas (a bit slippery), and bread, which was mot so light or tasty as Mama's. Mrs. Goodhand has not such a good hand in the kitchen (!).
August 19, 2015
I rate it a 3.8. While it was an interesting and enjoyable read, I often found it fell short of my expectations, particularly in its attempts to be forward-thinking re: feminism. I understand that the sexism and feminism within the novel had to be historically accurate, but to be honest I'm tired of reading modern day fiction which places itself in the (too-comfortable?) confines of a sexist institution and is justified in perpetuating that mentality in the name of historical accuracy.
February 10, 2016
I don't like Christian Fiction. I don't like Christian young adult and juvenile fiction even more. It's hard for me to enjoy a story when I'm getting annoyed or angry at characters because they're being jerks to other people under the pretense of religion. I will not pick this book up again, and I do not recommend it at all to anybody.
August 29, 2017
Mable Riley moves with her sister to a little town because her sister is now teaching there. She has wild adventures including jail, a cheese factory, off the rails suffragists, silly school rhymes, her teacher sister falling in love and realizing what really matters. I recommend this book to anyone who likes women's rights, history and romance.
February 11, 2010
Fun and fast read. Written as journal entries. A young girl trying to find out what life will hold for her, and looking for adventure. Deals with women's rights vs. social norms of the early 1900's.
December 1, 2012
Mable and her sister Viola take rooms on a dairy farm in a distant village when Viola becomes the new teacher in the small school. Mable meets a rabble-rousing woman who wears bloomers and rides a bicycle. I enjoyed Mable's adventures very much.
January 16, 2014
Enjoyable historical fiction in a diary format. I love historical fiction that reflects on women's side of history (Enola Holmes springs to mind!) I also loved Anne of Green Gables and this book shares a similar setting and time period in Canada.
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