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44th out of 404 books
—
403 voters
Kirsten: An American Girl : 1854 (American Girls: Kirsten #1-6)
Kirsten Larson is a pioneer girl of strength and spirit growing up on the Minnesota prairie in 1854. Kirsten's stories begin with her long, dangerous voyage with her family from Sweden to America. At first, Kirsten finds it difficult to get used to this strange new country. But as she makes friends and discovers what her new land has to offer, she learns the true meaning o...more
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
September 1st 1990
by American Girl
(first published 1990)
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Kirsten was one of the original American Girls and as such, was a vital piece of my childhood. I can remember lying in the backyard barefooted, feet up, pretending I was an awesome pioneer girl.
One of the most important points of the original American Girls was the use of realistic storylines. I still remember sobbing when Matra died, and feeling so horrible for Kirsten when her little racoon burned down the family home.
The original American Girls were strong, yet open to learning. They were ins...more
One of the most important points of the original American Girls was the use of realistic storylines. I still remember sobbing when Matra died, and feeling so horrible for Kirsten when her little racoon burned down the family home.
The original American Girls were strong, yet open to learning. They were ins...more
reasons why this book was awesome:
-for some reason as a child I had a thing for plots that involved deadly fevers.
-kirsten is a cool name.
-one room school houses
-swedes!
-santa lucia
-braid loops
-for some reason as a child I had a thing for plots that involved deadly fevers.
-kirsten is a cool name.
-one room school houses
-swedes!
-santa lucia
-braid loops
2 likes · like · see review
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I read Kirsten's Surprise A Christmas Story
Reading level is upper elementary, 640L
It is Historical Fiction
This story was interesting but is limited in audience. I think girls will really enjoy this book. It is about one of the American Girl Dolls, Kirsten, telling the story of her life as a pioneer girl. Kirsten Larson and her family celebrate their first Christmas in America, but they try to keep their old traditions alive. Kirsten tries to celebrate as they would is Sweden telling of her stru...more
Reading level is upper elementary, 640L
It is Historical Fiction
This story was interesting but is limited in audience. I think girls will really enjoy this book. It is about one of the American Girl Dolls, Kirsten, telling the story of her life as a pioneer girl. Kirsten Larson and her family celebrate their first Christmas in America, but they try to keep their old traditions alive. Kirsten tries to celebrate as they would is Sweden telling of her stru...more
I read "Kristen Learns a Lesson" of the American Girl book series. It takes place in 1854 and is about a girl named Kristen Larson and how she adapts to her new school. This book describes school life in the 1800's. It describes how schools had children of all ages in one classroom, how boys usually did not always attend school if there was work to do on the farm, and how a teacher often lived with the families of their students and had little to support learning such as paper, maps, or blackboa...more
Feb 06, 2011
Ash E.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
young (girl) readers
Recommended to Ash by:
Cori Johnson
Shelves:
young-historical-fiction,
review-complete
REVIEW COMPLETE
Comparable with the Dear America series, the American Girl books provide an easily-accessible peek into the past through a young (usually 9 to 10 years of age) girl's eyes. In this case, that girl is Kirsten, a Swedish girl moving all the way to the midwest to live with her aunt and uncle's family. Kirsten was the first American Girl doll I got as a child, so I may be a bit biased, but really it is an amazing series - they all are!
Comparable with the Dear America series, the American Girl books provide an easily-accessible peek into the past through a young (usually 9 to 10 years of age) girl's eyes. In this case, that girl is Kirsten, a Swedish girl moving all the way to the midwest to live with her aunt and uncle's family. Kirsten was the first American Girl doll I got as a child, so I may be a bit biased, but really it is an amazing series - they all are!
Tayler and I read these together. It was fun to talk about the early American immigrants and learn about their lives. She was very excited to find out that Larsen is a family name on her dad's side. She had me do her hair like Kristen's everyday for a week straight. I would recommend these books to anyone. They are great stories and give you an idea of what it was like to be a girl growing up during the 1850s.
I loved it when I read it. I was 9 then which almost makes sense. I hate it now which does not mean it is a bad book. I loved the illistrations and at the time it was one of the only books I would read 2twice. I am now ready to give it away. Get rid of it to another 9 year old who it will be for her a lifechanger yet she will soon forget whatever was she thinking. Read it and weep.
Kirsten was like a fake-yet-real Swedish version of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which confused me to no end. Who was the real pioneer girl? Which one should I trust? I remember braiding my hair in a Kirsten-esque fashion, and my sister told me that I looked like Heidi. Huh? Who the hell was Heidi? Was she another pioneer girl? Why were there so many of them?
I loved these books as a little girl!! I grew up with Kirsten the American Girl Doll and it was so fun to snuggle up with my doll and read about her life journey. These books are filled with American history, action, and some of the most interesting stories. I recommend these books especially to girls who own this doll or any of the American Girl Dolls.
Reviewed by my sever-old-daughter: Kirsten was really full of adventure and lots of great nature stories. It was interesting learning about pioneers and it was fun learning how to make Swedish pancakes. My favorite book was Kirsten Learns A Lesson because she learns a lot about schools and learns how to speak English in a contest.
Kirsten is kinda the most boring of the American Girls - that's probably why she was my sister's. She's too perfect, I think. I do like that she's got some pioneer sass, but she doesn't suffer from a self-righteous streak like Samantha and Felicity or an inferiority complex like Molly. She could be spiced up a little.
First American Girl book i ever read, when i was on holiday to the states and i was 7 years old. I loved it, the book came in the whole Kirsten Set and i thought it was lovely, the writing is good, the historical fiction is accurate and the illustrations are lovely i've kept it so one day i can give it to my children :)
I was disappointed in this series. Such high hopes... The story line is really lacking and there are really not any good values being taught. For our Liberty Girls group, we opted for "Little House in the Big Woods" instead. You can never go wrong with Little House!!!
These series was not my favorite one. I feel there would be a few clarifications I would want to make with my daughter about what is right and wrong. Do you take someones stuff even if they are dead and have no family? I don't know maybe in 1854 you do.
The "American Girl Dolls" came out during my girlhood. My sister and I both had the Kirsten doll, and I don't think she would have meant as much to either of us without the stories. We loved that doll because we knew her through her books.
I read these when I was in grade school and loved them. Great way for your girls to get interested in other cultures and the way other families live, also good stories of friendship and growing up.
I like this book alot not just that she has the same name she takes a journey from Sweden to America and there are many hard ships when she gets off the boat.
Apr 23, 2011
Sydney
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Girls ages 8-10
Recommended to Sydney by:
My Grandma
I loved this set as a little kid. I would read the stories over and over, and I still do! Of course, they are a lot easier now, but they are really good books.
The girls and I read all the Kirstin books and thought they got better and better with each of the six books. This series is really well done.
The entire American Girl series provided great historical education in an interesting format for my daughter, and many many memorable tea parties!
Her books were so sad. Friends die, friends move, nearly die in blizzard, birthday overshadowed by baby, almost eaten by bears, house burns down.
May 04, 2013
Kimberly Hortman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-girl-club
I loved all Kirsten's book & she is special to me because she was my first doll. The history in these books helped me in school too
i love this book me and my mom read this book. i was the best american girl book i have ever read. and i am a big fan of american girl.
Wow! Kirsten's books were absolutely AMAZING! You HAVE to read these!!!! They are awesome! Some of my favorite AG books!
Kirsten's stories were the most "scary" to me, as she lived in a rational poverty, as an outsider to a fledging, wild nation, that I had never known. I cried at her best friend's death of cholera along the way to the midwest. I scorned strict Miss Winston, who had no feeling for Kirsten's struggles with a new home. I was thrilled that she befriended Singing Bird, and that we got to take a glimpse into native american culture as well. In adulthood, as I come closer to my own ethnicity and immigra...more
Wonderful stories. I sat down and read this book from cover to cover in one day on my own as a child.
An immigrant girl who traveled across the sea from Sweden to America and settled in the midwest as a pioneer.
Aug 31, 2009
Katelynn Wiberg
marked it as to-read
I got a little tiny book about this one from McDonalds and now I want to read the big book about Kirsten.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I think I liked Kirsten so much because she lived in Minnesota. Just like me.
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![Kirsten's Story Collection [With Kirsten's Mini Paper Dolls and Scenes] (Hardcover)](http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1172633613s/200967.jpg)
