Janet Beeler Shaw

I love how this one continues to expand on the the theme of the challenges an immigrating family faces. Specifically the challenge of learning English and how intimidating it can be. For young readers, who only know their own experiences, this is going to teach real empathy. Hell, for an adult it does that. There's also some very interesting commentary the pioneers relationships with indigenous peoples and how their farming affected their food supply.

These damn American Girl novels making feel all the feels. It could be the nostalgia talking but I absolutely loved this. I love what an age-appropriate history lesson these books teach without sugar coating it too much. This one really gives you a sense if just how scary it would be to journey across the ocean to an unfamiliar land, all in hope of making a better life. I cried a few little happy tears when they finally reached the Uncle's farm.

This is the first Kirsten book, which follows her family's journey from Sweden to their new home in Minnesota.

This book felt refreshing to move onto a new story and a different American Girls author besides Valerie Tripp. But one thing that bothers me through all of these books I've reread is the messaging to always obey their father. While of course that's important, the times the girls in these books invoke that commandment seem oppressive and petty ("I will leave X Thing behind because I show more must always listen to Papa"). The framing of it being "must always listen to Papa" is just weird to me instead of "left it because I had no choice." Sometimes I wonder if these books aren't only trying to depict historical life, but to perhaps model such a conservative family structure to children as well. show less

My daughter just got an American Girl doll for Christmas. Not Kirsten - Samantha, actually. But it made me think about how much I loved these books as a child, and how much I hope she will too. I think these books get a bad rap now, because the series seems so omnipresent and commercialized. But I know that as a child, these books gave me a lasting interest in history. For the first time, I had some idea of what it would be like, if I had been born into another time. The Pleasant Company show more books personalized history.

Unfortunately, now that the company has been bought out by Mattel, they have abandoned the whole idea of bringing girls to history and now seek to bring history to the girl - milking it for maximum entertainment, and the minimum educational value. But the Kirsten, Samantha and Molly books were different. They ARE formulaic. But even that formula serves its purpose, lets the reader compare her own life and traditions to those of the girl in the story, think about what would have been different, and what would be more familiar to a modern girl than you might expect.

Whenever you study history, whether as a first grader, or as a college professor, you are seeking to apply it to your life now, to decide whether our society is still following the same pattern, whether life today is better or worse, and why...The first step to all of that is to be able to put yourself in the shoes of someone who lived before you. These books enable you to do that. Everyone should read them. They are a wonderful start to a fascinating subject, and will only make your daughter want to learn more.

Sorry to be so sexist, but I do think it is very unlikely any boy will want to read a series subtitled "An American Girl". Although I quite enjoyed "The American Boys' Handy Book" and my dad's old issues of Boys Life as a kid. Still, it's too bad there aren't any comparable series for boys. Why is it that history, at the elementary level, appears to be viewed as a feminine domain? And at the adult level, mainstream historical study becomes traditionally masculine? (At least it seems to be - the History Channel is forever showing things about wars, fighting, planes - all those things little boys were supposed to like when we were nine, and in my own experience, grown men are equally fascinated by).

Ok, I've completely gone off the subject. Do buy these books. They're not just a way to get girls to buy dolls. Look beyond the marketing. show less