Module 13 - Meet Kirsten
Book Summary -
Kirsten Larson is a 9-year-old girl who is moving from Sweden with her father, mother, and two brothers, to join her relatives in Minnesota. The journey is not easy, and she even loses her best friend on the way, Marta. Kirsten is almost inconsolable. It takes a long time in the boat, riding, and walking, before they finally reach her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. She quickly bonds with the two girls and settles in to enjoy her new life in America.
APA Reference -
Shaw, J. (1986). Meet Kirsten: An American girl. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Company.
My Impressions -
This is a great historical fiction book for young female readers. The reader quickly identifies with Kirsten, and is very eager to see the family make it to Minnesota and settle down. The many different harsh conditions that the family faces lead up to the death of Kirsten's friend. This is a very real, but sad event. It brings home the danger of the journey. I can easily see how the American Girl books have captured the imaginations of little girls everywhere. This is a great read.
Professional Review -
I read this book aloud to my daughters.
This is the first book in the American Girls Kirsten Series. This is also our first book in any American Girl series and our first book by this author.
We love reading books that take place during the 1800s time period. In this book, Kirsten's family immigrates from Sweden to America in 1854. They are travelling to Minnesota to join family members already settled there. Along the way, they experience some difficulties. The series continues with five more books.
We really enjoyed the book! When I told my daughters that there is an American Girl website and that there is an historical Kirsten doll, they were so excited! They went from not knowing who American Girl was to now having American Girl dolls, catalogs, and playing games on their website! Smart marketing! We are hooked on the American Girl historical books and dolls.
Darlene's Book Nook. (2011). Meet Kirsten. http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com
Library Uses -
This would be a great introduction to historical fiction for older elementary. They would be able to read more books in the series, or find a similar series. They could find out what the United States was like in the 1850s and create a posterboard with pictures.
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