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American Girl: Caroline #5
Caroline's Battle
Caroline’s Papa has barely returned before frightening news arrives—British warships are headed for Sackets Harbor, ready to attack. Every able-bodied man, including Papa, must go and fight. Mama and Caroline are left alone to guard Abbott’s Shipyard from the enemy. Caroline tells herself she would do anything to keep Papa’s shipyard safe. But when the battle seems to be lost, Mama gives her a terrible order. They must burn the shipyard to the ground to keep it from the enemy. It’s the one thing Caroline isn’t sure she can do.
89 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
About the author
Kathleen Ernst
58 books393 followersI grew up in Maryland, in a house full of books! Both of my parents were avid readers, thank goodness. Before we traveled to a new area, my librarian-mom used to bring home historical novels set in that place. It was a great way to get excited about history.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 13, 2013
This book is full of excitement and adventure, with high stakes and a real sense of the fear that people experienced when anticipating a British invasion. The author keeps the book intense without making it too overwhelming for younger readers, and the story has lots of great twists and turns. It is also, as another reviewer pointed out, a beautiful example of a child getting to have an adventure and do something daring alongside their parent, rather than recklessly saving the day by themselves.
Another great element of this book is how Caroline's mother guides her in understanding how to make decisions in the midst of a crisis. Neither of them know what will happen next, and if they make the wrong choice for the situation, it will be disastrous. The book doesn't sugarcoat this harsh reality or the difficulty that Caroline and her mother faced, but sends the message that sometimes, you have to be willing to do very hard things.
Caroline's mother tells her that in moments like these, it is important to listen to both your head and your heart. I love this, because even though modern American Girl books can share a "follow your heart" message from their safe and sanitized contexts, sometimes you face situations where you can't just do what you want or think is good. This book engages with the challenge of weighing possible consequences and trying to make a good decision, staying in tune with your feelings without letting them drive you.
This book shows how Caroline and her mother adapted to a fluid, changing situation, and is far more complex and interesting than many other American Girl stories. I really enjoyed this, and even though it wasn't my favorite Caroline book in the past, I believe that it is now.
Another great element of this book is how Caroline's mother guides her in understanding how to make decisions in the midst of a crisis. Neither of them know what will happen next, and if they make the wrong choice for the situation, it will be disastrous. The book doesn't sugarcoat this harsh reality or the difficulty that Caroline and her mother faced, but sends the message that sometimes, you have to be willing to do very hard things.
Caroline's mother tells her that in moments like these, it is important to listen to both your head and your heart. I love this, because even though modern American Girl books can share a "follow your heart" message from their safe and sanitized contexts, sometimes you face situations where you can't just do what you want or think is good. This book engages with the challenge of weighing possible consequences and trying to make a good decision, staying in tune with your feelings without letting them drive you.
This book shows how Caroline and her mother adapted to a fluid, changing situation, and is far more complex and interesting than many other American Girl stories. I really enjoyed this, and even though it wasn't my favorite Caroline book in the past, I believe that it is now.
November 29, 2023
Caroline and her mother have to make a decision about the family shipyard--to save or sabotage? High stakes. A good heart to this story with Caroline's family relationships.
August 22, 2021
Flat out wonderful. I loved almost everything about this book. Caroline is brave (again) and has to make hard decisions (again). The adults in her life continue to support her in developing autonomy and a self-directed moral compass. Her grandmother and mother prove themselves to be even more bad ass than I thought. The plot is suspenseful and engaging. There was actually a point where I gasped out loud and held my hand over my mouth - i don't think that has ever happened with an AG book before. This is the first series that has made me want to buy the doll because of the character alone, never mind the accessories. 😂🥰
January 3, 2017
I would have adored this book as a little girl! Caroline is brave and useful during a battle, and the book is a bit more action-packed than American Girl books usually are. I also appreciated that while she was bold and brave, it didn't feel reckless or foolish. Some of the other books, the girls get up to things I wouldn't want to be encouraging a daughter to (looking at you, Rebecca and Kit and maybe also Felicity). Caroline's mother is also awesome; what a woman to look up to!
March 12, 2026
I know that American Girl isn't really going to take drastic risks in their stories, but given that Kirsten's series ended with her house burning down, I wasn't going to rule out the Abbotts destroying their entire livelihood.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2026
War can be dangerous in so many ways. In both joy and fear.
May 9, 2021
Again, reading for the first time as an adult, in advance of the American Girls podcast.
HOLY CARP that was intense.
...yep, here's the Saves the Day stand-in!
Caroline and her mother and grandmother are a formidable team. I love them all.
I always love the point where we can start to see tangible effects of character growth. Caroline's emotional intelligence has leveled up: she recognizes that, just as it hurt her to see the Hathaway girls with their father not long ago, now Rhonda hurts when she sees Caroline with Papa. There's also some really nice discussion about how you figure out the right thing to do, especially when it contradicts instructions you were given.
I'm a little bummed that Papa is a little bummed that the women have done so well without him (yikes, that got complicated). I can understand a little disappointment that maybe you weren't as integral as you thought, but there's also some unexamined patriarchal baggage in there.
Last note, apropos of nothing: This may be the only AG book I know of that picks up THE DAY AFTER the previous book ends.
More Caroline babble
Meet Caroline | Caroline’s Secret Message | A Surprise for Caroline | Caroline Takes a Chance | Caroline’s Battle | Changes for Caroline
Traitor in the Shipyard | The Traveler’s Tricks | The Smuggler’s Secrets
HOLY CARP that was intense.
...yep, here's the Saves the Day stand-in!
Caroline and her mother and grandmother are a formidable team. I love them all.
I always love the point where we can start to see tangible effects of character growth. Caroline's emotional intelligence has leveled up: she recognizes that, just as it hurt her to see the Hathaway girls with their father not long ago, now Rhonda hurts when she sees Caroline with Papa. There's also some really nice discussion about how you figure out the right thing to do, especially when it contradicts instructions you were given.
I'm a little bummed that Papa is a little bummed that the women have done so well without him (yikes, that got complicated). I can understand a little disappointment that maybe you weren't as integral as you thought, but there's also some unexamined patriarchal baggage in there.
Last note, apropos of nothing: This may be the only AG book I know of that picks up THE DAY AFTER the previous book ends.
More Caroline babble
Meet Caroline | Caroline’s Secret Message | A Surprise for Caroline | Caroline Takes a Chance | Caroline’s Battle | Changes for Caroline
Traitor in the Shipyard | The Traveler’s Tricks | The Smuggler’s Secrets
September 25, 2022
I’ve started a project to reread all of the American Girl books in chronological order, and I had been looking forward to getting to Caroline, as she was a character that came out pretty close to my “aging out” of the franchise. Her story has taken hold of me in a way I never expected, and now I really wish she hadn’t been retired. There’s one illustration in this book that honestly made me emotional, as it sums up what I love about these books.
In this illustration, Caroline’s grandmother, who lived through the Revolutionary War, is giving Caroline supplies to take back to her mother at the family’s shipyard. Caroline’s grandmother tells her that she is not afraid to stay alone in the cellar, and Caroline knows then that she must stay with her mother to defend the shipyard, and ultimately be prepared to burn it all down if the British gain too much ground.
3 generations of women and girls are represented in this scene, all of them doing their part. When it comes to a war or a revolution or a movement, women often don’t get more than a throwaway sentence to acknowledge their contributions, but they were always there. This is why American Girl will always be meaningful to me and so many others.
This book in particular showed Caroline having to face many difficult decisions with courage, and I honestly had no idea how it was going to end until I reached the final page. These books are really well done, with excellent illustrations on top of that, and I must say that there really is no aging out of American Girl. You just experience it differently as you grow older.
In this illustration, Caroline’s grandmother, who lived through the Revolutionary War, is giving Caroline supplies to take back to her mother at the family’s shipyard. Caroline’s grandmother tells her that she is not afraid to stay alone in the cellar, and Caroline knows then that she must stay with her mother to defend the shipyard, and ultimately be prepared to burn it all down if the British gain too much ground.
3 generations of women and girls are represented in this scene, all of them doing their part. When it comes to a war or a revolution or a movement, women often don’t get more than a throwaway sentence to acknowledge their contributions, but they were always there. This is why American Girl will always be meaningful to me and so many others.
This book in particular showed Caroline having to face many difficult decisions with courage, and I honestly had no idea how it was going to end until I reached the final page. These books are really well done, with excellent illustrations on top of that, and I must say that there really is no aging out of American Girl. You just experience it differently as you grow older.
March 18, 2018
I really like that Caroline has a grown-up responsibility in this book alongside her parents. Oftentimes, with these books (and plenty of other books written for children), I can't help thinking "And this is where they really should go get an adult to handle this!!" But in this book, children can read about someone their age getting to work with the adults instead of in place of the adults, which is as it should be. I realize that kids like to see themselves as the heroes and I feel like, with this plot, they get that, without the glorified recklessness that usually comes along with it.
August 19, 2013
Oh my....I love the stark and raw emotion of this story, the way you feel like you're there in the battle, the way you become Caroline in this crucial moment. This has to be my favorite book so far in this series. Just really awesome story of what real courage is.
December 12, 2024
this gets an honorary 5 stars, because i think like.. within the realm of AG books, it is a 5 star one. it's one of the only "'saves the day"" (even if it wasnt titled that LOL) books which i thought actually worked. it has some really interesting stuff to say about the role of women in the society they lived in, and drawed upon a very specific historical event.
it only gets 4 stars from me because i dislike action sequences so much. and this book is full of them. it's just not for me. but it's still a really well-done book.
it only gets 4 stars from me because i dislike action sequences so much. and this book is full of them. it's just not for me. but it's still a really well-done book.
May 7, 2023
Not bad, but not very descriptive the events that happened in this story are real, but the descriptions were not very exciting it would be interesting to be a girl growing up on Lake Ontario, but overall, this didn’t satisfy my sweet tooth it just wasn’t very good.
August 20, 2025
Caroline is once again a badass.
September 28, 2025
Dare I say one of the best in the series
June 25, 2026
#1 in the Caroline main series in my opinion. My favourite book in the series of one of my favourite American Girls! Caroline is an absolute BADASS and I love her so much. I love the cover illustration of her with the torch! I love how her books, especially this one, deal with moral complexity and making difficult decisions in times of uncertainty. And Caroline is just a sweet girl who loves her home and her family and Lake Ontario and just wants everyone to be okay. I love how at the beginning of this book she is so excited to have her father home. She deserves ALL that happiness and more! And I really appreciated that this book was based on a real attack on Sackets Harbor that actually happened, and I felt like I got to learn a lot about it through this book.
I thought Caroline's dad's reaction to coming home and finding the shipyard doing so well was very realistically written. Like on the one hand, yes he's happy the shipyard is operating, and on the other hand, he just got back from being captive for many months, only to find himself a bit superfluous at the business he built, seeing that other people have been running it capably. Of course he's proud of Caroline and her mom, but he's also seeing how things have changed without him there, and it's taking some time for his brain to process all of that.
I liked that the attack on Sackets Harbor was so sudden and people had to make choices quickly about what to do; that seems very realistic to me too. And I liked the way the author portrayed the different choices people made as soon as the attack started, with Caroline's dad joining the militia, Mrs. Hathaway and many of the other women and children from the town choosing to leave, and Caroline, her mom, and her grandma choosing to stay.
I love how badass Caroline's mother also is (Caroline comes from a whole line of badass women, they are all icons and I love them). I loved how even though Caroline's dad told her mom to stay in the root cellar, her mom was like, nope, we've got property to protect, we're not going to hide. I loved how she made that decision for herself and considered something Caroline's dad perhaps hadn't thought of, which is that the records of how the gunboats were made would also be valuable to the British and needed protecting.
I loved how Caroline got involved to help. That's one of my favourite things about Caroline's character; when things go wrong, she takes action. She doesn't sit around waiting for other people to do all the tough stuff. She does what needs to be done, even when she's scared. And I love how in all the books, Caroline's parents treat her like the mature, brave girl she is and get her involved in helping, rather than insisting she sit off to the side. Her mom clearly trusts her a lot to let her come to the shipyard and carry the documents, and her grandma clearly trusts her a lot to let her carry the basket to her mom. I love that for all of them.
And I loved how everyone had to make difficult decisions even when there were multiple options that could have been correct. For example, Caroline's mom staying at the shipyard after being told not to, the men at the shipyard joining the militia rather than staying to defend the shipyard, Caroline going back to the shipyard to join her mother, them making the difficult decision to burn the shipyard if needed. This book (and the series) has so much complexity and really portrays the difficult decisions people have to make during times of war. I really loved Caroline's mom saying, "The situation has changed, Caroline. Now I must do what I think is best. I trust Papa will understand." What an icon! What an incredible role model for Caroline!
And I loved her grandma packing a PISTOL for Caroline's mom and telling Caroline to bring it to her. And I loved her saying she's an old woman, she's lived through British attacks before, she's not afraid to be alone, go help your mom now, don't worry about me. An absolute icon herself! These two women have been so incredible throughout the entire series and I love them raising Caroline to be confident and empowered and to take action when problems come up. I loved Caroline feeling a sense of duty to her family to help them protect the shipyard, and I loved her realizing that the only way her mom would have what she needed was if Caroline helped. And I loved the illustration of Caroline's grandma giving her the basket. It was so sweet and those two are so precious together.
And I loved Caroline being so self-assured and knowing what her role is and saying to her mom, "Grandmother told me she would be fine alone. You need help more than she does. I'm going to stay here with you, Mama." What a brave, strong girl! I love her! And I love that her mom clearly considered it, saw Caroline's maturity and courage, and said yes, she would be glad of Caroline's company. An incredible scene. And I loved once Caroline stays, she is a little bit scared and anxious, but she also is determined and knows exactly what she needs to do, and she does it.
I really appreciated Caroline's dilemma over whether to burn the shipyard, and I think her emotions were very realistically portrayed. She loves the shipyard so much, and she loves her dad so much, and she doesn't want him to be heartbroken if he returns to find the shipyard burnt down...but she also loves her country and wants to do the right thing and not allow the shipyard to fall into enemy hands, so she eventually is willing to destroy the thing she loves most in order to prevent it from being used for harm.
I loved the conversation she had with her mom where she asks, "How do you know when it's right to do what you're told, and when to decide for yourself?" I loved her mom's response, "It is sometimes very difficult. I try to use both my mind and my heart." And then her mom saying that her dad isn't here, so they must simply do the best they can. I think this is such an important message for young readers and also extremely honest: sometimes it's hard to know what the right thing to do is, and when to do what you're told vs. when to decide for yourself. You just have to do your best in the situation you're in. And I loved Caroline eventually realizing she'd chosen to stay, and that required her to "be steady and face whatever had to be faced." Caroline and her mom are so wonderful and brave!
This story had so many twists and turns; I literally gasped multiple times and was hoping so much that Caroline wouldn't have to burn her beloved shipyard. I was feeling all her anxiety and fear and numbness with her and I kept thinking what a brave, precious girl she is. At the moment where she felt like she was going to have to burn the shipyard, my heart went out to her so much, and I was so glad she ultimately didn't have to. And I was so glad her dad understood the dilemma she'd been in and said, "You and Mama were faced with a dreadful situation, and you made the best decisions anyone could have." Yessss, good on him for being such a supportive father and husband! Caroline wants his approval so much!
I love Caroline's relationship with her parents, especially her dad, and how in so many of the illustrations he has his arm around her shoulders, and I especially loved the illustration at the end with Caroline with her mom and dad, watching the gunboat launch, with her parents both gazing at her with adoring eyes and her looking so content with her dad's arm around her shoulders.
All that to say, I love this book, I love these characters, I love this family, and Caroline is a wonderful girl who I adore! I think she, Addy, and Melody are my favourite American Girl characters.
I thought Caroline's dad's reaction to coming home and finding the shipyard doing so well was very realistically written. Like on the one hand, yes he's happy the shipyard is operating, and on the other hand, he just got back from being captive for many months, only to find himself a bit superfluous at the business he built, seeing that other people have been running it capably. Of course he's proud of Caroline and her mom, but he's also seeing how things have changed without him there, and it's taking some time for his brain to process all of that.
I liked that the attack on Sackets Harbor was so sudden and people had to make choices quickly about what to do; that seems very realistic to me too. And I liked the way the author portrayed the different choices people made as soon as the attack started, with Caroline's dad joining the militia, Mrs. Hathaway and many of the other women and children from the town choosing to leave, and Caroline, her mom, and her grandma choosing to stay.
I love how badass Caroline's mother also is (Caroline comes from a whole line of badass women, they are all icons and I love them). I loved how even though Caroline's dad told her mom to stay in the root cellar, her mom was like, nope, we've got property to protect, we're not going to hide. I loved how she made that decision for herself and considered something Caroline's dad perhaps hadn't thought of, which is that the records of how the gunboats were made would also be valuable to the British and needed protecting.
I loved how Caroline got involved to help. That's one of my favourite things about Caroline's character; when things go wrong, she takes action. She doesn't sit around waiting for other people to do all the tough stuff. She does what needs to be done, even when she's scared. And I love how in all the books, Caroline's parents treat her like the mature, brave girl she is and get her involved in helping, rather than insisting she sit off to the side. Her mom clearly trusts her a lot to let her come to the shipyard and carry the documents, and her grandma clearly trusts her a lot to let her carry the basket to her mom. I love that for all of them.
And I loved how everyone had to make difficult decisions even when there were multiple options that could have been correct. For example, Caroline's mom staying at the shipyard after being told not to, the men at the shipyard joining the militia rather than staying to defend the shipyard, Caroline going back to the shipyard to join her mother, them making the difficult decision to burn the shipyard if needed. This book (and the series) has so much complexity and really portrays the difficult decisions people have to make during times of war. I really loved Caroline's mom saying, "The situation has changed, Caroline. Now I must do what I think is best. I trust Papa will understand." What an icon! What an incredible role model for Caroline!
And I loved her grandma packing a PISTOL for Caroline's mom and telling Caroline to bring it to her. And I loved her saying she's an old woman, she's lived through British attacks before, she's not afraid to be alone, go help your mom now, don't worry about me. An absolute icon herself! These two women have been so incredible throughout the entire series and I love them raising Caroline to be confident and empowered and to take action when problems come up. I loved Caroline feeling a sense of duty to her family to help them protect the shipyard, and I loved her realizing that the only way her mom would have what she needed was if Caroline helped. And I loved the illustration of Caroline's grandma giving her the basket. It was so sweet and those two are so precious together.
And I loved Caroline being so self-assured and knowing what her role is and saying to her mom, "Grandmother told me she would be fine alone. You need help more than she does. I'm going to stay here with you, Mama." What a brave, strong girl! I love her! And I love that her mom clearly considered it, saw Caroline's maturity and courage, and said yes, she would be glad of Caroline's company. An incredible scene. And I loved once Caroline stays, she is a little bit scared and anxious, but she also is determined and knows exactly what she needs to do, and she does it.
I really appreciated Caroline's dilemma over whether to burn the shipyard, and I think her emotions were very realistically portrayed. She loves the shipyard so much, and she loves her dad so much, and she doesn't want him to be heartbroken if he returns to find the shipyard burnt down...but she also loves her country and wants to do the right thing and not allow the shipyard to fall into enemy hands, so she eventually is willing to destroy the thing she loves most in order to prevent it from being used for harm.
I loved the conversation she had with her mom where she asks, "How do you know when it's right to do what you're told, and when to decide for yourself?" I loved her mom's response, "It is sometimes very difficult. I try to use both my mind and my heart." And then her mom saying that her dad isn't here, so they must simply do the best they can. I think this is such an important message for young readers and also extremely honest: sometimes it's hard to know what the right thing to do is, and when to do what you're told vs. when to decide for yourself. You just have to do your best in the situation you're in. And I loved Caroline eventually realizing she'd chosen to stay, and that required her to "be steady and face whatever had to be faced." Caroline and her mom are so wonderful and brave!
This story had so many twists and turns; I literally gasped multiple times and was hoping so much that Caroline wouldn't have to burn her beloved shipyard. I was feeling all her anxiety and fear and numbness with her and I kept thinking what a brave, precious girl she is. At the moment where she felt like she was going to have to burn the shipyard, my heart went out to her so much, and I was so glad she ultimately didn't have to. And I was so glad her dad understood the dilemma she'd been in and said, "You and Mama were faced with a dreadful situation, and you made the best decisions anyone could have." Yessss, good on him for being such a supportive father and husband! Caroline wants his approval so much!
I love Caroline's relationship with her parents, especially her dad, and how in so many of the illustrations he has his arm around her shoulders, and I especially loved the illustration at the end with Caroline with her mom and dad, watching the gunboat launch, with her parents both gazing at her with adoring eyes and her looking so content with her dad's arm around her shoulders.
All that to say, I love this book, I love these characters, I love this family, and Caroline is a wonderful girl who I adore! I think she, Addy, and Melody are my favourite American Girl characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
This one is based on a real battle and a real shipyard. I appreciate this level of history in the story. I also think the character acted in a way that a 10 year old girl would act. Also have we discussed how much of a bad @$$ Grandma is in this series? I want to see her crossover with Felicity's mom. (And on that note I'm going to say we missed a huge opportunity for the first crossover. Felicity should be Caroline's mom. That's all.)
May 14, 2020
Caroline continues to be frustrating in spending so much time worrying about how Papa would feel about things. I do like that this book is about a specific historical event and actually fits the “saves the day” theme a book five is supposed to have.
October 19, 2021
I'm really impressed with the range that Caroline's series has. Caroline has moments where she is a child, playing with her friends and dreaming to ice skate. She also has moments where she is shouldered with responsibilities of adulthood, making complicated decisions and standing strong in a crisis. I think this is something we don't always see with the American Girls, where they are children first and are excused from the realities of what is going on from the world around them. Or, if they do face it, it's sometimes softened and glossed over.
During this time period, I am sure children were leaned on a bit more when things became tough, and it shows. I think it also shows that Caroline was raised to be strong and to make the best decisions she could, even if they were tough. Being a girl isn't seen as a weakness, especially when your Grandma and Mom are such badasses.
Grandma's existence is this story just adds another layer, because she is a Revolutionary War survivor, and she knows how to handle herself. (The fact that she slipped her some treats and a gun in the basket is just...grandma goals.)
This has been my favorite of the series so far. Looking forward to her final book in the series.
During this time period, I am sure children were leaned on a bit more when things became tough, and it shows. I think it also shows that Caroline was raised to be strong and to make the best decisions she could, even if they were tough. Being a girl isn't seen as a weakness, especially when your Grandma and Mom are such badasses.
Grandma's existence is this story just adds another layer, because she is a Revolutionary War survivor, and she knows how to handle herself. (The fact that she slipped her some treats and a gun in the basket is just...grandma goals.)
This has been my favorite of the series so far. Looking forward to her final book in the series.
March 22, 2024
This was a powerful and hard hitting story. I think my heart was racing through most of it, not knowing what was going to happen, seeing Caroline and her mother be so brave and risking everything. Wow did not expect that in this story.
As the British ship starts to head closer everyone in Sackets Harbour everyone retreated to safety or gets ready to defend and battle. As most military men were off on another job, the land is scarce on men to fight, leaving militia and ordinary workmen to take over the battle front job. With no one left to defend the shipyard, mama and Caroline are taking over hiding the paperwork, being ready to burn everything if they must.
I was so shocked, so riveted, so sad, and felt the fear and bravery from Caroline in this book, what she and her mama did could have been so dangerous if the british had of actually invaded the shipyard, they were ready to do what they must.
I think this was my favourite in the series, so much was happening, you didn’t know which way the story was going to go and the things Caroline had to actually do was so scary and crazy and brave and amazing. I was very impressed and engrossed with this story.
As the British ship starts to head closer everyone in Sackets Harbour everyone retreated to safety or gets ready to defend and battle. As most military men were off on another job, the land is scarce on men to fight, leaving militia and ordinary workmen to take over the battle front job. With no one left to defend the shipyard, mama and Caroline are taking over hiding the paperwork, being ready to burn everything if they must.
I was so shocked, so riveted, so sad, and felt the fear and bravery from Caroline in this book, what she and her mama did could have been so dangerous if the british had of actually invaded the shipyard, they were ready to do what they must.
I think this was my favourite in the series, so much was happening, you didn’t know which way the story was going to go and the things Caroline had to actually do was so scary and crazy and brave and amazing. I was very impressed and engrossed with this story.
December 27, 2017
My hopes of a well crafted story were not dashed. This installment of Caroline's story brought tears to my eyes a couple of times; evoking emotions of anxiety, dread, and fear as well as others.
Overall Caroline's story is one of life during wartime during the early stages. The British tried to seize US ports and people in hopes of increasing land holdings in the north and keeping the US from providing supplies to Napoleon's forces.
As this series is geared for younger readers, many of the more gruesome parts of wartime life are not mentioned. While the story is well crafted, I found the "Looking Back" section at the end an important piece for all readers. It tells of the British trying to destroy the ship General Pike, Dolley Madison's heroic endeavors in saving important documents and portraits from the fire that destroyed DC, and the inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner and how it came to be the USA's national anthem.
I'm not sure the last one will stand up to what books 4 and 5 accomplished, but still holding hope.
Overall Caroline's story is one of life during wartime during the early stages. The British tried to seize US ports and people in hopes of increasing land holdings in the north and keeping the US from providing supplies to Napoleon's forces.
As this series is geared for younger readers, many of the more gruesome parts of wartime life are not mentioned. While the story is well crafted, I found the "Looking Back" section at the end an important piece for all readers. It tells of the British trying to destroy the ship General Pike, Dolley Madison's heroic endeavors in saving important documents and portraits from the fire that destroyed DC, and the inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner and how it came to be the USA's national anthem.
I'm not sure the last one will stand up to what books 4 and 5 accomplished, but still holding hope.
August 23, 2020
Getting closer to finishing all of the historical AG character books! I really liked this one, the "Saves the Day" equivalent if we're comparing to the classic series from the 1990s. Caroline is a brave heroine, and she and her mother are quick to take decisive action to protect the family shipyard as the British invade Sackets Harbor. I also think it's interesting that this one takes place within days of the ending of the previous one (Caroline Takes a Chance)- makes it very dynamic, even though I did read that last one back seven months ago!
January 17, 2022
1.5/5 for my personal taste, but as a book I’d say it was maybe a 4/5 for its age group.
This story follows a young girl in Sacket’s Harbor during the war of 1812. It is book 5/6 but able to be followed on its own. It is simple, quick, read that gets to the action fast. Though the characters mentioned are made up, most of the story elements and timeline factual. I think it would be an inspiring and entertaining read for elementary school level readers, feminist and relatable to young girls. Took me 2 days to read.
This story follows a young girl in Sacket’s Harbor during the war of 1812. It is book 5/6 but able to be followed on its own. It is simple, quick, read that gets to the action fast. Though the characters mentioned are made up, most of the story elements and timeline factual. I think it would be an inspiring and entertaining read for elementary school level readers, feminist and relatable to young girls. Took me 2 days to read.
February 19, 2025
4.5 stars. Caroline is now up there on my list of favorite AG character. Current ranking is as follows:
Addy (forever and always my #1)
Claudie
Kit
Caroline
Samantha
This was another great book in the series. Caroline and Mama guard the shipyard while Papa goes to fight and it was kinda intense but so good. I really liked how this author doesn’t water down war. She puts the characters in danger and though Caroline is only ten she’s quite brave and mature for her age. I’m sad that there’s only one book left.
Addy (forever and always my #1)
Claudie
Kit
Caroline
Samantha
This was another great book in the series. Caroline and Mama guard the shipyard while Papa goes to fight and it was kinda intense but so good. I really liked how this author doesn’t water down war. She puts the characters in danger and though Caroline is only ten she’s quite brave and mature for her age. I’m sad that there’s only one book left.
June 21, 2026
This actually may be my favorite Caroline book and perhaps one of my favorite American Girl books period. I love how much of her series is based on true historical events and battles. I find the “looking back” sections of her books incredibly interesting and insightful given they’re about a war you spend five minutes learning about in school. Other than “Meet Addy”, I can’t recall an AG book having higher stakes than what was presented in this one.
September 19, 2021
One of the better books in the Caroline series. The other books felts meh and generic plot-wise and setting-wise. This book makes it clear why the War of 1812 was the setting.
I think the boat launch at the end of the book would have been more impactful if it had been used as the ending of the series.
I think the boat launch at the end of the book would have been more impactful if it had been used as the ending of the series.
October 6, 2017
War is approaching Sackatts Harbor. Caroline will do anything to keep her Papa’s boat yard safe. Caroline and her mom are protecting the boatyard when they get terrible news. If the war reaches the boat yard they must burn it down. What will Caroline do?
August 4, 2021
An action-packed adventure. I like how the author portrays Caroline's mother as an intelligent, strong woman without reducing Caroline's father to a weak and ineffectual man. Good stuff here. The best book in the series thus far with one to go.
September 29, 2024
I can only wish that I would have been this brave at 10 years old. Caroline is badass dude! I love her! I think she’s such an awesome role model and a great example of how to be brave even in scary and hard times. I’m not saying she’s my new favorite but I think she’s definitely up there!
March 5, 2025
This is the best one in the whole series! I'm not going to lie there were moments where I was gripping the pages because I didn't want their shipyard burnt down in the middle of battle, but dang to make me sit at the edge of my seat makes this an excellent book!
January 29, 2026
This was seriously the most intense AG book I’ve read so far (I’m reading these series in chronological order)! I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the whole second half! Idk how the last book can top this one.
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