In this offering of the highly popular American Girls Series, Samantha Parkington learns more about her Uncle Gard's new wife after a new birthday present named Jip gets loose and leads the girls to City Park.

Remembering her strict Grandmother's earlier admonitions to stay away from radical suffragist activities, being caught in the park is a major concern, but Samantha and her cousins are in for a suprise feminist organizing crash course when they learn Grandmary has decided to listen to the lecture herself.

The prospect of American Women voting is no longer exotic or automatically radical, but the book implies connection between the 19th century "first wave" of feminism (suffragettes and reformers) with today's "second" and "third wave" counterparts who are able to enjoy political rights, the real life counterparts to Aunt Cornelia could only dream of using. Instead of being demonized or trivalized, women's political activity organizing on behalf of their own rights is something all women (regardless of age) should become involved in.

Even until the late 1990's, the numbers of American women participating in politics as office holders themselves remained pittably small compared to the percentage of potential elgible officeholders. Reccenty however, the question has shifted from if the United States will have a woman president to when and who that canidate will be.

The book is also notable because it suggests the inevitability of one time opponents eventually embracing feminism themselves as a result of respectful dialouge between both sides. This title technically is a children's book, but the lesson from the encounter between Samantha's beloved Grandmary (who has long expressed sentiments hostile to many progressive reforms) and Cornelia (herself ironically responsible for those same reforms) indicates women of initially different politics can work together and find common ground, if only they listen to eachother's concern's and needs.

I was however bothered the book did not mention women of color this increased climate of mutuality and respect. Although part of this was due to the very real biases of suffragists themselves (glossed over in the book)it also gives the impression of first wave feminists being more guilt-free of bias than they actually were. Having been raised by the same dominant society that freely proclaimed segregation and African American inferiority, these first wave feminists were unware of how it affected their work, or understood and placed potential southern support (whose elected officials were determined to avoid enfranchising black women) above earlier anti-racist committments.

I LIKE BOOK. IT GIVE MORE SUPRISED WHEN I START TO READ IT. ITS A
GREAT BOOK. I TITED YOU THIS BOOK.

That brat Eddie Ryland ruined Samantha's perfect birthday party! Sam is so disappointed, until Agatha and Abigail get an idea! Read about Sam's trip to New York, where she chases a dog, sees a new side of Aunt Cornelia, and learns about women's rights.

I like that there is a glossary of Spanish words at the end of the book, because I know that if I ever go to Mexico, I will know how to say thank-you and stuff like that (gracias). The idea of a maid teaching Josephina and Josephina being so eager to learn makes me stunned. I think that you will very much enjoy the pictures, as I did. I did not recognize the dyes that the girls used to dye the wool, but from the pictures I understood that they were very beautiful. (Carmelle, Age 8)

This is another one of the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl (almost ten!) living in the New Mexico of 1824. When a flashflood brings disaster to her father's rancho, Josefina's aunt Dolores suggests that they begin weaving blankets that they can trade. Josefina throws herself into the work, eager to help the family, but one of her sisters is holding back, and Josefina needs to find out why.

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at schooling in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations are nothing short of excellent, and add so much to this wonderful story.

This is another of the excellent stories that American Girls presents. This one also has a fine lesson, while the story is highly entertaining. Also, I do enjoy the way the author has realistically woven Josefina's religion into her daily life; religion is something lacking in most American Girls stories. My eleven-year-old daughter and I read this book together; we both enjoyed it, and we both recommend it to you.

Nine year old Josefina Montoya is growing up on a rancho in New Mexico in 1824. When Josefina's Tia Dolores comes to visit to Montoyas, Josefina learns about a world beyond the rancho-a world of elegance. But Josefina and her sisters begin to worry that Tia Dolores will replace Mama, who died last year. And then disaster strikes. The Montoyas lose most of their sheep in a terrible flood. Tia Dolores comes to the rescue with the suggestion that the Montoyas weave blankets to sell so that they can get new sheep. But more and more, Josefina and her sisters begin to believe that all the new ideas their aunt has brought will make them forget all that Mama taught them. Then, Tia Dolores begins to teach the girls to read and write. Mama couldn't read and write, and Josefina and her sisters aren't sure she'd approve. More and more, Josefina must face many changes-both good and bad.

Josefina Saves the Day is about a girl age 10. She meets a american named Peter O'Toole, a scout for the wagon trail. Papa and Josefina trust Peter with their trades. Will Josefina get her trade? Will she and Francisa, and Clara, and Papa get what they want? To find out more read this book.

This is another one of the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, Josefina and her family travel to her grandfather's rancho to await the arrival of the wagon train from the United States. She meets her first American, Patrick O'Toole, a handsome scout for the wagon train. The family wants to trade blankets and mules with the Americans, but is this handsome young man trustworthy?

The final chapter is in an interesting and informative look at outdoor life in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations, warm and filled with emotion, add a great deal to the story, and are a welcome addition.

My daughter and I both liked this book. The story has its scary parts, but it also has a nice lesson, and I enjoy the frank look at life then and there. This is another excellent book, a worthwhile addition to your library.

Ten year old Josefina Montoya, her father, and two of her sisters are staying with Josefina's grandfather and grandmother in Sante Fe while they await the arrival of an American wagon train. Josefina and her sisters trust a young American trader with a deal. But then, before he pays them, he leaves town. Has he cheated them? Josefina and her sisters must go on a daring late night adventure to find out.

"Samantha Saves the Wedding" combines text by Valerie Tripp with illustrations by Dan Andreasen. Taking place in 1904, this book is part of the excellent "American Girls Short Stories" series of books for young readers. The story and supplements total about 50 pages.

Samantha is a 9-year old girl. She is visiting the "elegant town house" of the Pitt family, whose daughter Cornelia is engaged to marry Samantha's Uncle Gard. There is an unexpected mishap, but as the book's title indicates, the heroine "Saves the Wedding" with generosity and quick thinking.

This is a good story, although the whole society wedding motif is a bit frothy for my tastes (I prefer the grittier, more working-class vibe of some of the other books in this series). There are, as in the other books in this series, a number of fun and educational supplemental features, such as a "Meet the Author" page.

There is also "A Peek into the Past," a supplement which looks at weddings and courtship in 1904; there are vintage photos and illustrations of historic items. The "American Girl Pastime" section gives instructions on how to make a tussie-mussie, which is a small bouquet whose flowers can carry symbolic messages. Overall, a worthy entry in a strong series for young readers.

This story is about a nine-year old orphan named Samantha. Her uncle is getting married to a lady named Cornelia, who has three younger sisters. Two of them are twins named Agnes and Agatha. The other sister is a very young girl named Alice. Agnes and Agatha are the same age as Samantha. One day Alice wanted to try on her sister's wedding veil. But she rips it. Then Samantha saves the day and lets Cornelia use her mother's old wedding veil. And it turns out to be a beautiful wedding.

I've been enjoying the American Girls collection since I was a little girl(I'm 18 now).I have all the books and I am always thrilled everytime a new one is released. Samantha is my favourite character and this book is an addition to the Samantha Collection.It's well written and follows the same pattern as the other books.It's a nice story filled with adventure and nice pictures as well.For me it's an A+.

In Kit's tree house, Kit, Ruthi and Stirling are drawing up ideas for the Tree House of Kit's dreams. But her dad and Stirling decide to surprise her with a tree house. Only it's terrible! The tree house is far from what Kit imagines, until Stirling tells her why he and her father really built it. The history section talks about boarding houses and why a girl like Kit would have really wanted a tree house. The book also includes an activity on making a jewerly house. This book, overall, was better than the previous Kit Short Story, but it ended too quick, and, once again, several of the graphics and artwork were repeated. If you are a Kit fan, like I am, you'll love this book. It has more of a lsson than the previous Kit Short Story.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Kit Kittredge, a ten-year-old girl living in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1934, during the Great Depression. Kit has been dreaming of a tree house, a little place where she can go off and be alone in. But when her father and Stirling, the son of a boarder, build her a tree house she is disappointed that it looks nothing like her dreams. Should she tell the truth and crush her father, or should she lie and tell him that she likes it? Perhaps such stark choices do not cover all of her options...

As with the other Kit books, this is a great story. It paints a true-to-life portrait of the hard times faced by so many Americans at that time, but it does so in an upbeat way. My daughter and I loved the story of this book, while I loved its lesson. As always, Walter Rane's illustrations are great, which adds a lot to the feeling of the story. Plus the final chapter, which is on housing in 1934 and making a jewelry tree (nice!), is wonderful.

My daughter and I both highly recommend this book to you!

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Molly McIntire, a nine-year-old girl living on the home front during World War 2. It is 1944, and Molly and her family all find their lives turned upside down. This year, when Molly goes to visit her grandparents' farm, she must go alone, as the rest of her family have new responsibilities. Worse, Molly's wonderful aunt Eleanor is joining the WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots), and will be away too. Molly feels that her whole life is being torn apart.

My daughter and I both liked this book. Especially interesting was the final chapter, which gave a great deal of information on the WASPs, and their contribution to the American war effort. As an added bonus, the book contains instructions on making a simple stargazer.

THE BOOK WAS THE BEST BOOK I READ FROM THE AMERICAN GIRL I HAVE SAMANTHA LEARNS A LISSON. SO THAT WAS THE BEST BOOK READ. SO MOLLY TAKES A FLITE IS MY SECOND FAVORITE BOOK I READ!!! I THINK.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Samantha Parkington, a nine-year-old orphan girl living in the America of 1904. In this book, when Mrs. Van Sicklen's new black pearls are missing, Samantha's friend Nellie is immediately suspected. To clear Nellie's name, the girls have got to find Mrs. Van Sicklen's pearls, and quickly!

The final chapter of this book contains an interesting introduction to Gertrude Chandler Warner, the author of the Boxcar Children mystery stories. As with the other American Girls books, this one has a charming story, with wonderful illustrations. Although not quite as hard hitting as some of the other Samantha stories, this book is still a wonderful addition to your library, one that your daughter will love as much as mine does!

TITLE OF BOOK: Samantha and the Missing Pearls

AUTHOR: Valerie Tripp

ILLUSTRATOR: Dan Andreasen

SETTING: Mrs. Sicklen's house in 1904.

SUMMARY: Mrs.Sicklen lost her black pearls. Samantha helped her best friend, Nellie, Mrs. Sicklen's maid, look for the pearls. Samantha and Nellie fell down the coal chute. They found the missing pearls in the ashes that Nellie had dumped.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Samantha, Nellie and Mrs. Sicklen

WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE STORY? When the girls found the pearls.

Alway moving forward. I really think this Poem and many others within this Book are energectic and timely. They capture the frame work of a people who have struggled for all they have. This book depicts a part of that struggle in it's poetry and highlights the principles and practices of Kwanzaa very well. So many of us are making excuses about why we can't get ahead but our forefathers never stopped "Like the Waters of the Sea, Never stand still, Like life created to eternally be, never stand still, Like rocks on a hill, the avalanche, In the midst of storm, a trees branch, Like ships upon the ocean, atoms in perpetual motion, keep a focused mind and strong will, Never , ever stand still. The Poets..Alvin S. Wiggins,and Althea Pendergrass compliment Mr. Tripp Quite well. The chemistry is resident in the diversity of their backgrounds and the merging of their commonality. I recommend you buy and read it and share the emotions of their experiences as they are your own.

The writings in this book were straight from the heart. I found relation to many poems. The poems written by Alexander S. Wiggins were very real. I could see and feel the very things he wrote about. This book is not only is a collection of poems...it's a collection of people's hearts, souls, spirits, dreams, and lives.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Molly McIntire, a nine-year-old girl living on the home front during World War 2. It is 1944, and Molly and her family all find their lives turned upside down. In this story, Molly's class raises the money to buy a War Bond at a rally hosted by her favorite Hollywood Starlet. Placed in charge of the money, Molly must take good care of it, but disaster strikes when least expected.

I now see why Molly is so popular, my ten-year-old daughter and I both really liked this book. The final chapter is on moviegoing in 1944, and has instructions for having a 1940s moviegoing experience at home. This is a fun book, no big lessons, but a great read. Highly recommended!

Easy to read in one sitting, which is unusual for chapter booksfor this age group.

Story much too typically sitcom-like. Toopredictable. Young kids may find this enjoyable though.

Some historical references give insight into life in the US 1940s. END

This book is very good for younger girls who love the American Girls but do not feel ready for a full-length Molly book, or a book to take on a short trip and challenge a girl who is learning to read. Molly, nine years old during WWII, has sold War Bonds after hearing her idol, a movie star, tell her to support the country. Molly makes plenty of money selling the bonds and can't wait to present it in person to her favorite actress when she comes to town. Frightened that the money might be taken, she hides it in a clever way she saw on one of her idol's own movies for safekeeping. But when it comes time to present the money, Molly can't remember where she hid it! Will she turn her efforts into a disaster or will the day be saved? Read about Molly's adventure in this excellent short-story book.

The "Path on the Other Side of the Bridge" is a good coming of age book about discovery of love in the South. The twist is that the two people doing the discovering are two young women. Being a teenager is hard and being a teenager in love, even harder. This book does a good job of taking the reader through the roller coaster ride of these two young adults coming of age and falling in love and all the ups and down that come with life. I recommend it for anyone who wants to "take the path" to some enjoyable reading!

The main character, Melissa, has issues but she works through some of them with her friend Kourtney. Realistic, funny, and thought-provoking. Read it!

The main character, Melissa, is a girl with issues. But she manages to work through some of them with the help of her freind, Kourtney. Funny and thought-provoking, as well as sad at times. Definitely a good read!