The Bottom Line
Pros
- entertaining, engaging and educational
- include primary sources, images, commentary
- deeper history than the American Girl stories
Cons
- some girls may prefer a story or narrative
- some adults may object to treatment of some negative themes
- may lead to serious collecting of the dolls and books
Description
- Hardcover books, 58 pages, ages 8 and up.
- Primary sources, some stories of real people.
- Extensive illustrations and commentary explain daily life in each time period.
- Available for Kaya (1764), Felicity (1774), Josefina (1824), Kirsten (1854), Addy (1864).
- Also Samantha (1904), Molly (1944), Kit (1934).
Guide Review - American Girl World Books
These books, more than the American Girl stories, highlight how life in these time periods was different from the world in which girls grow up today.
Some may find the treatment of important issues, such as slavery, war and poverty, superficial. Others object to exposing children to these tough issues at all. But I believe these issues are treated adequately and age-appropriately.
For a curious young reader (8-12), a book from this series makes an excellent gift. (And there's nothing wrong with letting her see how much you enjoy reading the book!)
Choose a book to match your giftee's favorite American Girl or introduce her to a different time period. If she's not already an American Girl fan, she's still likely to find these books interesting.
