Felicity's Surprise: A Christmas Story

I reread this book from my childhood to go along with the American Girls Podcast, which is hosted by two historians. The third book in these series (named X's Surprise) are set around Christmas (or possibly equivalents for some characters). Felicity lives in Williamsburg, and one interesting historical thing I took from this was that Williamsburg was a lot more festive than a lot of New England with its killjoy Puritans, for example. There are several illustrations of decoration and references to the types of things most people don't do their Christmas decorating with anymore, such as festive plants in the windows and elsewhere. It's very "deck the halls with boughs of holly."

Anyway, that's far from the point of the book, which is show more sufficiently bizarre to leave me puzzled. What father lets their worker interrupt him to yell at his 9-year-old daughter about politics and not shut that shit right down? Ben, who had been so mild, is a lot more extreme in this book. It's definitely exaggerated and unrealistic behavior, but I guess he's supposed to represent the general fervor for revolution.

This is the first Felicity book to feature a real, pinpointable location in Williamsburg, which is the Governor's Palace. As part of Miss Manderley's class, she receives an invitation to a dancing lesson from Lady Dunmore, the governor's wife. This brings us to the main plot. Felicity, normally not so concerned with her appearance, becomes self-conscious of her old brown dress and becomes enchanted by a pretty blue dress a doll in a store is wearing.

While making the dress and preparing for Christmas, Felicity's mother becomes seriously ill and unable to work on the dress. This will test Felicity's patience, priorities, and put up in the air her ability to attend the event. It feels like a turning point for her character. But as Mr. Merriman says, Christmas is a time for happiness, and the community (or characters in the book, rather) put their differences aside to make that true. It reminded me of Christmas truces that would happen later, most famously during WWI. show less

The third in the "Felicity" series of American Girl books is the least interesting one so far. Felicity starts the series as a feisty nine-year-old, who manages to ride and free a horse on her own. The second book, "Felicity Learns a Lesson", has her start lessons on how to be a "lady". Here she learns how to serve tea and be polite. In the background, the American colonies are starting to grumble against taxes imposed on them. Felicity's father stops selling tea in his shop and people begin taking sides. Felicity not only learns how to refuse tea without being impolite, but also makes a friend who is from a loyalist family. While the third book is not awful, it kind of feels like Felicity is no longer the girl who tamed a horse, but show more simply a good girl. She is invited to the governor's ball and her mother promises to make her a dress for it. Her mother falls ill and Felicity's priorities change. She takes care of her mother and younger siblings -- all admirable things-- and ends up going to the ball after all when her friends Ben the apprentice and Elizabeth her best friend, make sure her dress is finished in time for the dance. While the American revolution is brewing in the background, Felicity herself seems to have become tamer than in the first 2 books. I hope she reappears in the rest of the series. show less

One thing this book really helps to illustrate is that there was no mass production and ready-made items back then. If you didn't like a dress you had, oh well, suck it up - make it yourself or hire someone to make it for you. All sewing was done by hand, it would be almost another century before the first sewing machine came out.

It's really mind-boggling to compare what it was like to procure clothing back then compared to the relative ease of today's clothing boutiques and online shopping. These American Girl books were great because of these lessons.

In book three of the American Girls: Felicity series, it's Christmastime and Felicity gets invited to a party at the Governor's Palace. It's an exciting event in a young girl's life, but there are complications. Will Felicity be so klutzy that she will make a fool of herself? Will she look like a frump in her old brown gown? Will health issues in the family prevent her from going at all? The tale is somewhat predictable, but in its favor, the characters all end up behaving with kindness and nobility. Perhaps people don't act like that in real life, but they should. Anyway, this one is nice waiting room material, but waiting room material nonetheless.
--J.

This is the Christmas time story of a young girl named Felicity. She is growing up in the colonial times. Felicity has been invited to the governor's palace for a dance lesson. She excitedly prepares to go and even has found a dress pattern. As the big day arrives, her mother is to ill to finish the dress. Felicity forgets her desire to finish her dress and cares for her mother. This conflict in the story leaves you hoping that Felicity will be able to attend her ball. Through the thoughtfulness and love of others, young Felicity is able to attend her ball.

I like these stories. This book makes history come to life. The illustrations are great within the book as well.

This book would be a fun way to further a srudent's understanding of show more life in the colonial era. It would also be fun to supply colonial costumes and have a mock ball like the children in the book had. show less

The American Girl Collection is a series of books that any parent would love to read to their children because the authors that write within take great care in making sure they are historically accurate and that they provide a strong moral backbone as well. This particular book shows us that hard work and care pay off. If you want a read that will entertain and drag your young reader into a different time period than this book would definitely be for you and your child.

Summary: The holidays are here, and Felicity is dreaming of the perfect dress until tragedy strikes. In this heartfelt story of the holidays, young audiences will learn that there are more important things that those material made!

Personal Reaction: I think this story is well written, and very well thought out. I think it shows the meaning of holidays, and the meaning of friendship.

Classroom extensions: I think it would be a really great idea for students to talk about their favorite holiday past times. I think exchanging stories, or writing about it would help students relate to Felicity's experience of having a great holiday.