Felicity Saves the Day: A Summer Story

"I will," said Ben. "But I will not change my mind."

"No," said Felicity, "but maybe you will have a change of heart."

A change of scenery is nice, but maybe put that scenery into context when you set your story on a plantation for a series that is supposed to be educational for children? This isn't a thing I go around complaining about--it is just glaring here. It's not only a disservice to people whose ancestors were enslaved, but it's also offensive to the reader's intelligence. This book may as well be called Felicity's Fun Plantation Summer with Grandpa and a Stolen Horse

I'm sorry to say it, but in rereading these books (only Felicity so far), they seem like a failure. What else is a historical novel that fails to put the important show more historical aspects into context? Maybe slavery isn't part of the story, but I assume a girl like Felicity would have some opinions on it. This could have been as simple as having a 2-minute conversation with her parents or grandpa about slavery, or even having the character simply ruminating on it. Go read the Clotee diary from the Dear America series instead of this for a children's novel set on a plantation. There is a runaway advert for a white boy instead of a slave of all things in a book set on a plantation. The historical information at the end of the book does nothing to make up for how thoroughly the story ignores slavery.

Yet this series is also coming off a bit weak in even representing the American Revolution. Don't get me wrong, they are entertaining enough to continue as a fun history/nostalgia thing between heavier reads and along with the American Girls podcast, but there are better historical children's novels, at least better than the Felicity books. show less

In the 5th book of the series, Felicity is once again her daring self. This time she's spending the summer at her Grandfather's estate, where she is reunited with the horse Penny and saves Ben from unpleasantness after he runs away from his apprenticeship with Mr. Merriweather to join the Patriot army, is injured and hides in the woods near Felicity's grandfather's estate.
With the Revolutionary war looming in the background, this shows how politics can cause rifts in the family.

I was really dreading reading this one. I'm prejudiced against stories in which children "save the day". In my experience, such stories usually feature talented, precocious children and insipid adults. Fortunately, this book didn't fulfill my worst fears. For one thing, there wasn't any great crisis. Most of the book is really just an account on how pleasant it is to visit one's grandfather's plantation in the summertime. A problem does arise and, in another world, the situation could have turned quite ugly. But in the world of the American Girls, things don't seem to get that bad. Anyway, it's another fine example of waiting room material that your kids might enjoy.
--J.

Summary: After finding her friend Ben is in need of help, Felicity will stop at nothing to help him! Pulling from her inner strength, Felicity helps Ben whilst he is working for George Washington's Army!

Personal Reaction: I think this is a great novel because it gives a different angle of what was happening during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. I think it is so important for students to understand the early stages were the most complicated as people were becoming divided from one another.

Classroom extensions: I think it would be great to have students read about George Washington's Army, including the most notable spies from his army. I think it would be a neat research project for students to learn what contributed to our show more Country helping dissolve ourselves from England. show less

Felicity is having a great time on her grandfather’s plantation, when she discovers Ben in the woods. He has tried to run away from his apprenticeship, and Felicity must decide whether to keep his secret or turn him in to her father. In the end she convinces him to turn himself in.

This is a double of a book from my classroom library. Felicity is having a great time on her grandfather’s plantation, when she discovers Ben in the woods. He has tried to run away from his apprenticeship, and Felicity must decide whether to keep his secret or turn him in to her father. In the end she convinces him to turn himself in.

Felicity's friend wants to join the Revolution.