Since summer was six years old she lived with dear Aunt May and Uncle Ob. Now, six years later, Aunt May has died. Summer, who misses May with all ...
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May 21, 2008
Pauline
rated it: 
"Missing May" is a short book that can be read in one sitting. Even though it is short there is nothing lacking in the story. All the characters are developed wonderfully and they all end up feeling like old friends.
It is a poignant novel about death and the depression that follows the loss of a loved one.
Summer loses her mother and goes to live with various kin, but never feels unconditionally loved by any of them, she is even afraid to ask for more milk. Then More...
It is a poignant novel about death and the depression that follows the loss of a loved one.
Summer loses her mother and goes to live with various kin, but never feels unconditionally loved by any of them, she is even afraid to ask for more milk. Then More...
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Mar 09, 2010
Mallory
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Awards Won: Newbery Medal (1993)
This is a short book about a learning to cope with the loss of a loved on. The main character Summer lives in a run-down trailer with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob. Summer is extremely happy with her current home-life, after previously having to cope with the death of her own mother. When May dies, Summer fears that she will lose Ob to the grief that he can't seem to overcome. But, with the help of an unlikely friend, Summer and Ob begin More...
This is a short book about a learning to cope with the loss of a loved on. The main character Summer lives in a run-down trailer with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob. Summer is extremely happy with her current home-life, after previously having to cope with the death of her own mother. When May dies, Summer fears that she will lose Ob to the grief that he can't seem to overcome. But, with the help of an unlikely friend, Summer and Ob begin More...
May 08, 2011
Rain
rated it:
Ah, nostalgia! I love this book! Ever since my friend introduced me to this book a few months back and I read it, it always stood with me as a very moving, beautiful story. I enjoyed reading this again for the second time and for many more times to come, I'm sure! Everything about the novel from the characters to the plot to the writing itself was simply amazing and I cannot say enough of how great this book is. I truly do not regret picking this up!
Cynthia Rylant is such a good auth More...
Cynthia Rylant is such a good auth More...
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Feb 03, 2011
Andy
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As part of my quest to read all the Newberry Award Winners, I bought and started Missing May. Cynthia Rylant also wrote a short story called "Checkouts" that I thought was genius so I was eager to start this book. I started reading this book and for whatver reason couldn't really catch the rhythm of the author. I had to re-read the first chapter a couple of times to make sure that I knew what was going on.
This book is about a young girl name Summer that loses her paren More...
This book is about a young girl name Summer that loses her paren More...
Oct 18, 2010
Jill
rated it: 
1993 Newbery winner. Short and sweet. Exactly as long as it needed to be. I liked this story.
"Before she died, I know my mother must have loved to comb my shiny hair and rub that Jonhson's baby lotion up and down my arms and wrap me up and hold and hold me all night long. She must have known she wasn't going to live and she must have held me longer than any other mother might, so I'd have enough love in me to know what love was when I saw it or felt it again."
" More...
"Before she died, I know my mother must have loved to comb my shiny hair and rub that Jonhson's baby lotion up and down my arms and wrap me up and hold and hold me all night long. She must have known she wasn't going to live and she must have held me longer than any other mother might, so I'd have enough love in me to know what love was when I saw it or felt it again."
" More...
Apr 02, 2010
Dawn
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 29, 2009
Tricia
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I've been reading lots of Cynthia Rylant books aloud to my youngest son (The Lighthouse Family series, and the High-Rise Private Eyes series). She has such a wonderful way to writing - wonderfully expressive vocabulary, caring relationships, success in the face of challenges, etc. You just feel warm inside reading them. The book jacket in one of those series mentions her award-winning books, including Missing May, so I grabbed it off the shelf when looking for audiobooks a few weeks back. I'm so
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Apr 19, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
Since Summer was six years old she lived with dear Aunt May and Uncle Ob. Now, six years later, Aunt May has died. Summer, who misses May with all her might, is afraid something will happen to Ob. Most days Ob seems like he doesn't want to go on. But then Ob feels May's spirit around him and he wants to contact her. Cletus Underwood, a strange boy from school, reads about someone who could help him do that. Summer wants to hear from May too. Ob and Summer don't know what to expect when they se
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Jun 02, 2010
Telka
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Missing May is about a girl named Summer, who comes to live with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob in West Virginia when she was little, because when her mother died, nobody wanted her. When May dies, everything is ruined, and evrybody is sad... especially Ob. When Summer meets Cletus Underwood, a guy in her school who she thinks is crazy, she soon learns that Cletus knows a person who can speak to the dead to talk to May. Once Summer knows she can trust Cletus, they soon share much in common, and beco
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Oct 25, 2010
This is a lovely little story with characters to whom you grow attached. Summer is orphaned as a young girl, but she clearly understands how much love her mother must have had for her even as a baby, and this gives her a sense of self and strength. She initially is a hand-me-down to family that don't welcome her with open arms. Instead they are miserly with their love, homes, and even food. To the rescue come Uncle Ob and Aunt May in West Viginia who accept this little girl joyously. Once ag
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Jun 17, 2010
Hannah
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Jul 07, 2011
As the narrator Summer describes it, tears would come to her eyes even as a six year old child when she would see how much her adopted parents, Ob and May loved each other. This love they shared with her and it poured out from their modest trailer in West Virginia. When Ob made his whirligigs, they were transformed into high art. When May worked in her garden, it became Eden. Then May dies and the two of them are bereft. They can't even define how to go on, until in a revelation, they begin a ro
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Apr 05, 2010
Carol
rated it:
Set in rural West Virginia, the main theme of this contemporary, intermediate novel is how the main character, Summer, deals with the death of her beloved Aunt May. Orphaned, Summer comes to live with Aunt May and Uncle Ob (a whirligig artist) as a young child. They love her completely and when May suddenly dies, she and Ob are left bereft and helpless. As Ob sinks deeper into depression, Summer's fear of losing her only remaining relative increases. When Cletus, a peer at school, suggests they
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Jul 19, 2010
Julie
rated it:
After the death of Summer's mom, Summer is passed from family to family until her Aunt May and Uncle Ob decide to take her back with them to West Virginia. When Summer thinks her life is finally getting better, Aunt May dies. (not a spoiler! I promise!) Both Summer and Uncle Ob are having a hard time coping with the death. When things seem like they can get no worse, Cletus Underwood from her seventh grade class gets involved, and Summer doesn't think very highly of him! Cletus ends up helping S
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Jul 24, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
Why is it that I have become such a big Cynthia Rylant fan, especially loving her Mr. Putter and Tabby series, a series of very short chapter books, and yet I found this book too short?
Missing May is the story of a girl, Summer, who lost her parents and thought she'd never find love again. Then she came to live with Aunt May and Uncle Ob. May and Ob were the embodiment of love. Summer was rapturously happy until one day May collapsed and died while working in her garden.
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Missing May is the story of a girl, Summer, who lost her parents and thought she'd never find love again. Then she came to live with Aunt May and Uncle Ob. May and Ob were the embodiment of love. Summer was rapturously happy until one day May collapsed and died while working in her garden.
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Mar 14, 2011
Jose
rated it:
A little girl by the name of Summer has been through many adoption homes. She doesn't feel like she is loved because of this. She then comes across her older uncle Ob and aunt May. They decide to take her to live with them in a small town in West Virginia. May loves the little girl very much and even though they don't have much to give Summer, Summer finally finds love. But May suddenly dies. And the rest of the story is about Ob and Summer going through the stages of grief. They feel empty insi
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Apr 24, 2009
Josiah
rated it:
I would give this book three and a half stars.
The telling of this graceful story is so low-key and understated that if one doesn't pay close attention, one might miss the most substantial parts of the narrative.
I almost felt as if the events in the story weren't ultimately as important to the plot as the telling itself, an unusual feeling that I really haven't had with any other books. Cynthia Rylant knows words on a rarely intimate basis, and it is this deep connection that allows More...
The telling of this graceful story is so low-key and understated that if one doesn't pay close attention, one might miss the most substantial parts of the narrative.
I almost felt as if the events in the story weren't ultimately as important to the plot as the telling itself, an unusual feeling that I really haven't had with any other books. Cynthia Rylant knows words on a rarely intimate basis, and it is this deep connection that allows More...
Jan 08, 2012
Ivan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 31, 2012
Kari
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This book reminds me a lot of Angela Johnson's work (which I love) and so this one fit right down my alley. I love that it tells a longer story in a short amount of time yet still makes the main focus on all the emotion. Death of a loved one can be very difficult for a lot of people and this highlights both the grieving and healing processes.
I would personally list this book as a religious new-realism novel. The presence of God or a feeling of the spirit to the characters is More...
I would personally list this book as a religious new-realism novel. The presence of God or a feeling of the spirit to the characters is More...
Jun 30, 2011
Ginger
rated it:
Summer is an orphan in West Virginia who comes to live with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob. They have a wonderful life until Aunt May dies, leaving Summer lost and Uncle Ob overcome with grief. To deal with his loss, Ob decides to contact May’s spirit which sets the scene for a turning point in their lives. Missing May is a true-to-life look at Appalachia through a young girl’s eyes and it would be a great way to expose young people to Appalachia. It would also serve as a reflection of Appala More...
Oct 14, 2010
Melody
rated it:
I enjoyed the fresh language and humor that combine to make death approachable without masking the real difficulties of mourning: "May's funeral turned Ob and me into temporary sort-of socialites, and we never really got a chance to howl and pull our hair out. People wanted us to grieve proper." I laugh but then ponder how Rylant describes life so true to my experience. She makes me realize the scary parts of life can be manageable, even uplifting.
There may be a bit of t More...
There may be a bit of t More...
Jun 28, 2009
Sharon
rated it:
A sad but fulfilling book about loss that won the Newbery awhile ago. This was different than I expected it to be in that the book begins with the titular May already dead, and her husband remembering her and actually seeking her ghost in the garden. Therefore the title is really apt because it is all about how May's family experiences her loss and tries to deal with it while still keeping their memories of her. The part about Cletus entering the family's lives while helping them move on was a l
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Aug 01, 2011
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant, the 1993 Newbery Award winner.
Summer is an orphan who, after being passed from one family member to another, finally finds a home with her Uncle Ob and Aunt May. When May dies six years later, Summer and Ob find themselves adrift. Ob takes the loss of his wife very hard, leaving Summer wondering if he can go on without May. Cletus, a strange boy who attends school with Summer, finally helps her (and Ob) find a way to go on. A charming, uplifting story. I borrowed More...
Summer is an orphan who, after being passed from one family member to another, finally finds a home with her Uncle Ob and Aunt May. When May dies six years later, Summer and Ob find themselves adrift. Ob takes the loss of his wife very hard, leaving Summer wondering if he can go on without May. Cletus, a strange boy who attends school with Summer, finally helps her (and Ob) find a way to go on. A charming, uplifting story. I borrowed More...
Jul 02, 2011
Charles
rated it:
Missing May is a Newberry Gold Winner and I declare it a winner after reading the wonderful story about a young girl who has been tossed between relatives who comes to live with her aunt and uncle. The story is about how Summer, the main protagonist, and her uncle deal with the aunts death.
The story is written in first person. It is a character driven story with interesting characters. The uncle has an unusual hobby which is making whirligigs, and like Summer he has to overcome his gr More...
The story is written in first person. It is a character driven story with interesting characters. The uncle has an unusual hobby which is making whirligigs, and like Summer he has to overcome his gr More...
Nov 26, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
Published: 1991, Scolastic, Inc.
Age: 9-12
A sad, but sometimes humorous story of death and depression. After her mother dies, none of Summer's relatives want her until Ob and May, her elderly aunt and uncle fall in love with her and bring her to live with them. When May dies, Ob and Summer have to deal with their loss. Rylant tells the story in first person (Summer) narrative and develops each of the characters making them simple, yet each has something very special about them. More...
Age: 9-12
A sad, but sometimes humorous story of death and depression. After her mother dies, none of Summer's relatives want her until Ob and May, her elderly aunt and uncle fall in love with her and bring her to live with them. When May dies, Ob and Summer have to deal with their loss. Rylant tells the story in first person (Summer) narrative and develops each of the characters making them simple, yet each has something very special about them. More...
Sep 03, 2010
Brenna
rated it:
Summer’s mother is dead and she was unwanted by most of her family until her elderly distant relatives, May and Ob, take her in. When May dies from complications of diabetes, Summer is afraid that she will again be left alone. She, with help from the eccentric neighbor boy Cletus, desperately tries to deal with the grief of May’s late husband Ob, while also dealing with her own grief and fear. I loved this story. I especially loved the realistic setting and the lyrical depictions of the grie
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Sep 24, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
1992: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (Orchard Books) Watts Publishing
Newberry Medal Winner
Realistic Fiction
Ob and May took in the orphan Summer when she was six years old. Six years later May has died leaving Ob and Summer to pick up the pieces of their lives. The simpleton neighbor boy, Cletus, comes along and leads them on a path of healing and renewed joy for life. Ob realizes he needs to take care of Summer and Summer realizes that she will always be loved. Cletus is the new pi More...
Newberry Medal Winner
Realistic Fiction
Ob and May took in the orphan Summer when she was six years old. Six years later May has died leaving Ob and Summer to pick up the pieces of their lives. The simpleton neighbor boy, Cletus, comes along and leads them on a path of healing and renewed joy for life. Ob realizes he needs to take care of Summer and Summer realizes that she will always be loved. Cletus is the new pi More...
Nov 24, 2009
Tara
rated it:
4th-6 grade (read alone)
Rylant uses a gentle touch to tell the story of a young girl sent to live with her elder aunt and uncle. Her aunt then passes away. Summer and her uncle are at a great loss and her uncle falls into a depression. Summer's 7th grade classmate Cletus comes to help with their grief. The chapters are short and easy to read. This is a story that will help young readers connect with the pain death brings.
Social Emotional/Reading
Use this book More...
Rylant uses a gentle touch to tell the story of a young girl sent to live with her elder aunt and uncle. Her aunt then passes away. Summer and her uncle are at a great loss and her uncle falls into a depression. Summer's 7th grade classmate Cletus comes to help with their grief. The chapters are short and easy to read. This is a story that will help young readers connect with the pain death brings.
Social Emotional/Reading
Use this book More...
Jan 17, 2012
Jessica
rated it:
This is a story about a little girl who lives in Appalachia and her uncle and the loss of their beloved aunt/wife. This is a story about finding the strength to go on when you aren't exactly sure how. I absolutely loved this story and regard it very highly as an excellent work of youth fiction. The author does a wonderful job of portraying life in this portion of the country and readers are left feeling warm inside despite the sad circumstances that the characters endure. This book was very dese
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Nov 20, 2011
Tara
rated it:
I have enjoyed reading Rylant's picture books with my daughter, so I picked up this book, and I enjoyed it as well. Missing May provides a sweet and heartfelt look at the grieving process, but includes some humorous moments to lighten the serious subject. Rylant shows how the death of a family member can leave those remaining adrift. She shows how important it is to let the lost loved one go and adjust the family dynamic after a death occurs so that the family can progress. I appreciated that th
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