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American Girl: Kit #1-6

Kit: An American Girl, 1934

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Margaret “Kit” Kittredge is growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the Great Depression. Clever and resourceful, she is happiest climbing trees, playing baseball, and writing news stories.

Each story reveals more of this resourceful girl who has bright hopes during the dark days of the Great Depression. The richly illustrated hardcover offers a glimpse into Kit's world. Inside, this book features even more full-color illustrations and words of inspiration that will delight girls who love Kit.

Full set of books equals 440 pages

440 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

15 people are currently reading
590 people want to read

About the author

Valerie Tripp

272 books442 followers
Valerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.

She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.

Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.

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5 stars
1,007 (42%)
4 stars
765 (32%)
3 stars
493 (20%)
2 stars
97 (4%)
1 star
21 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
Profile Image for Melody Schwarting.
2,139 reviews82 followers
April 18, 2023
Tripp wrote most of the original character series--Samantha, Molly, Felicity, Josefina--and like the others she handles challenging history with sensitivity and realism. Instead of watering down history, she makes it child-appropriate. The illustrations, historical notes, and more provide helpful context though they can be a bit heavy.

It is still the height of irony to me that a brand like AG had a line for a girl whose entire story is about "penny-pinching" during the Great Depression. There's something a little strange to me about selling a doll dress from a story where it was made from flour sacks. But I'm pretty sure these books are where I got my lifelong love for 1930s art, decor, and fashion. I'm sure Aunt Millie would be proud that I picked up my copies of these books used!
404 reviews24 followers
December 23, 2014
One big detracting factor from an otherwise enjoyable set

What I appreciated about the Kit books: Like the original American Girl doll books (more on this later) after the story of each book there is a "Peek into the Past" containing a few facts about the era using the story read as a springboard. There are also pictures of people/artificats/etc from that time.

The stories are engaging and age appropriate. You don't have to worry about inappropriate words or other content.

The illustrations are well done and throughout the books.

What I did not like: These stories are set during the Great Depression. Instead of telling a story without making policy calls, the author is decidedly on the side that FDR is awesome as is everything he did. The one character who takes issue with FDR's policies is mean, crotchety, tightfisted, unreasonable, and generally unlikeable. I believe there is good reason to doubt the effectiveness of some of FDRs programs and policies and believe it unfair to paint such a stark, unreasonable picture of those dilemmas to such a young audience.

Kit is the first American Girl doll made after the Pleasant Company sold out (hence my distinction between the dolls before Kit & the ones following & including her) . I cannot help but wonder if the stark political inclusion shows a shift in who was managing things. Original dolls still sometimes touched on political issues, but I believe they were better handled and more age appropriate.

Personally, I have no interest in any of the dolls& their stories after the original ones. When I have tried one of the newer sets I have been disappointed.
Profile Image for Emily Summerville.
32 reviews
Read
October 4, 2025
I had to read this to get back to my roots. Reminded me of why I fell in love with reading back in elementary school
Profile Image for Kimberly.
718 reviews33 followers
December 6, 2025
I only really liked one of the Kit books. That I didn't enjoy them makes me more sad than anything.

I've loved her movie as long as I can remember, and was excited to learn her full story.

There was some interesting character backstory! A lot of cool historical tidbits, too! The historical notes at the back of each book were the biggest highlight for me!

But... I don’t like Kit. There were a few times I almost did, but she frustrated and disappointed me consistently throughout her books.

Watch the movie! It's phenomenal! The acting, the plot, the history, the mystery! It's one of the things that aged with me. I loved it when little, and I love it now for more than nostalgia.
Profile Image for Loraena.
432 reviews24 followers
August 19, 2015
These books are great. I really appreciate the themes of justice, compassion, anti-materialism, and perseverance in the Kit series.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
2,098 reviews63 followers
August 15, 2019
A few years ago I had decided to read through the "original" run of American Girl books; I use "original" lightly cause I did include Kaya and Kit. For whatever reason I never read the last two...so I've decided to complete the series by reading on Kit and Molly's adventures. So...we have Margaret "Kit" Kitteredge. She loves writing newspapers about what happens at home while her father is at work. However, the Great Depression hits, her father loses his job and they're forced to take in Boarders to get their mortgage payments. Her entire collection was mostly her trying to cope with the changes to her life. Including when her Aunt Millie comes to stay and teaches her to "upcycle" used items. It was cute and Kit wasn't as annoying as we used to think as kids; she wanted adventure and was very mature for a 12 year old. I enjoyed her collection and I think Valerie Tripp has once again breathed life into a tense time period for younger audiences to experience.
Profile Image for Mikayla.
1,206 reviews
June 27, 2021
It was fun to re-read these as an adult after loving them as a kid. While Kits attitude is not always good, I think she still teaches kids an important lesson about being happy with what you have and learning to see the value in every person. I love that her problems have not just gone away at the end of the book, and she has to work hard to achieve her dreams.
Profile Image for Marnie.
180 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2025
Kit is so darn cute.
Profile Image for Michaela Harkness.
42 reviews
April 10, 2025
Such a well done series. They did such a good job showing the hardships of the great depression in a serious but child-appropriate way. I think adults and children alike could learn a lot from Kit.
Profile Image for Catie.
665 reviews9 followers
September 17, 2018
Eloise and I had great discussions surrounding the Great Depression and the value of a dollar.
Profile Image for Kelley.
600 reviews17 followers
June 28, 2017
This was our second go with an American Girl story collection for a family road trip. It was fine, but not quite the hit of our first, the Addy stories. But to clarify: that's the opinion of two adult listeners. My 7-year-old loves this collection and has listened to it multiple times over. And I'm more than fine with that.

Kit's story is set during the Great Depression. Her family falls somewhere in the middle of the crisis, not escaping unscathed but definitely managing to avoid the most painful effects.

Like other American Girls, Kit learns and grows over the course of a year, in this case learning to live joyfully with less and broadening her views on "hobos" and others who are experiencing the worst of the depression's rage. Her foil is a stodgy rich uncle who lumps everyone who's struggling under the heading Lazy. He regularly shares his opinions in the local paper - and inspires Kit to find her own voice.

My criticisms are probably picky:

American Girls are all plucky, but Kit seemed almost unbearably, unbelievably so.

I also thought that while the range of opinions made sense, they were all a little too black and white to ring true.

Finally - and I admit, this is probably and predictably my major hangup - the newsroom. The editor. The reporters. It just wasn't believable that a young girl would have the standing with them that is depicted here. But in fairness, I can't think of a single fictional depiction of a newsroom that has fully satisfied me. And I imagine every lawyer, doctor, priest and ... whoever feels the same about his own craft on the page.

We've got Molly and Julie on deck and more than a thousand miles stretched out before us. I expect to be more than satisfied, if not overwhelmed. And I expect my kids to pass many hours happily with decent writing, engaging stories and a reasonable primer on two more eras in American history.
Profile Image for Hannah.
129 reviews14 followers
May 9, 2009
Kit. Oh, Kit! These books were really good! I loved reading them with my sister and mom! It was very fun to go on her journey.
Profile Image for Nat Schaefer.
72 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2025
She is me and my daughter’s favorite historical character. I find it perplexing - as someone whose college education is in history - that anyone finds it to be propaganda that the family felt supportive of FDR. It would be extremely strange for a family in the same position as the Kittredge family to feel oppositional towards FDR. His policies were in direct support of families who were affected by the depression. That Uncle Hendrick didn’t like him made sense because he was wealthy and self important. But it also made sense for the Kittredge family to feel grateful for FDR’s policies and programs. I also think the nation was less rabidly and vehemently divided back then, before the advent of televised news. (There is direct data that shows how more divided and less cooperative Congress, the senate, and their constituents have become as the tone and shape of new media has changed). Historically it makes sense. As for people finding it it problematic that AG has a Great Depression doll since it��s typically a high end heirloom toy brand: why is that shocking? They have always been in the business of making collectible dolls that generally hold their value. The stories are *actually* for children, who are not usually as directly connected to understanding the prices of things. I never had an American Girl as a kid (my parents blew all their spending money on themselves, rarely the kids). I was aware that other kids dressed nicer than I did and had nicer things; but I never knew why I didn’t have an American Girl doll nor what the buzz was about. My world did not revolve around American Girl. It was far and away from the cultural and economic bubble I lived in. I knew other girls were proud of theirs, but I think it’s a stretch to say I was adversely affected by that. That said, stories have enriched my daughter’s understanding of history and the economics of others. That’s net positive for my household. I guess in other words: perfect is the enemy of good. The stories are good. The educational and empathy development benefits of them are good. They’re not an inexpensive toy; but they’re also not really meant to be used then thrown into a landfill a year later like many inexpensive toys. They tend to be treasured; sometimes resold later for a decent price, or handed down to another generation. I think part of what makes that happen is not only the quality or the refurbishment service that’s available; it’s the stories and the culture that have been built over time, starting with the stories. You get what you pay for; and some people who can afford that culture and quality appreciate it. I also believe you can enjoy the stories without owning the corresponding doll. And the stories are frequently available in used book shops (cheap) and libraries (free).
Profile Image for Samantha Bartley.
Author 2 books10 followers
August 7, 2020
I didn't realize how unbalanced my emotions were until I read this book series this week. WHY AM I CRYING?

Meet Kit
I really like how this story starts during the Depression, but before it really effected Kit and her family. Seeing what her life was like prior to her father losing his job and where her priorities were at the start of the series and where they were at the end was such a great transformation. This one was a little slow but I enjoyed it.
3/5 Stars

Kit Learns a Lesson
Stirling is like the coolest character in this series, and this is the book where the reader really gets to learn more about him. This one held so many emotions, learning about Stirling's family situation and ultimately how bad off Kit's family really was. It's well written and one of the best in this collection.
5/5 Stars

Kit's Surprise
I have said this before, but the Christmas stories are always the best in my opinion. I liked the storyline about Kit, who up to the Depression lived a very comfortable life, now feeling embarrassed to wear her clothes that don't fit right, yet too proud to accept help from her best friend. This book really has a nice Christmas feel to it, even when reading it in August. Probably my favorite in this series.
5/5 Stars

Happy Birthday Kit!
Aunt Millie is such a cool character! Reminds me of my grandmother from Kentucky and her resourceful ways of living. This was a sweet addition to the series. The scene with Grace, the chickens, and the garden club meeting is the best!
4/5 Stars

Kit Saves the Day
First off, I love Will Shepherd. They should have added him earlier in the series so he could be in more of the books, but he is such an interesting character, and opens Kit's eyes to the hobo way of living. This one was the most exciting one in this collection, and definitely foreshadows the conclusion to this series.
4/5 Stars

Changes for Kit
This one seemed pretty short, but I really like how the author included little scenes that at the time did not seem overly important and later made them actually vital to the story's plotline. I don't like Uncle Hendrick at all, and was really hoping his attitude would change at the end of the series. I loved how this one ended, and how it made me feel the need to go out and just help people in need. This book also does a great job of showing that even kids can make a difference when attempting to make a change. A good lesson that concluded a great series.
4/5 Stars

Final Rating: 4/5 Stars

Profile Image for Mandie.
22 reviews
May 8, 2024
Listennnnn...if you haven't read this, you don't know what you're missing. Kit was my doll growing up. Don't know why, but I decided she was my favorite and stuck with that to this day. I cut my hair in a bob when I was 6, I saved all of my money from my 7th birthday to buy Kit (and I did the same when Ruthie came out!), and was even able to visit American Girl Place Chicago for one of my birthdays. I love Kit's story- it will always be a 5/5 for me no matter what, but I'll talk about some specific things I like about the books here:



Overall, and obviously I am extremely biased on this, I would highly recommend anyone interested in the American Girls read Kit's books, as they are the best of the AG series.
Profile Image for Amanda.
220 reviews17 followers
September 29, 2024
I am continuing my quest of re-reading the American Girl series as an adult alongside the Dolls of Our Lives podcast (formerly American Girls Podcast), which is hosted by two U.S. historians. Kit's books were not my absolute favorite as a kid, but I definitely had read them several times.

The Kit books are fantastic. The stories begin in 1932, and Kit is a 9-year-old girl living in a middle class family in Cincinnati. The first book opens with Kit's father losing his job, and her parents struggling to pay off the mortgage on their large house. They decide to open a boarding house, which helps them to scrape by throughout the years. Kit's stories deal with class — as she has drastic changes to her life, helping her parents run the boarding house and living uncomfortably in too-small clothes and shoes, she is mortified by taking any help from her friend, Ruthie, whose parents, as bankers, have not been hit hard by the Depression. As she struggles to accept how her life has changed, she learns that things are much worse for others, as she befriends a teenage hobo and witnesses the devastation of hobo jungles and soup kitchens. Kit's adoptive Aunt Millie comes up from Kentucky and teaches her family "penny-pinching" tips — raising chickens, making bloomers out of chicken feed bags, harvesting dandelion greens, and haggling at the market. I appreciate that Kit is less stereotypically "girly" than the previous dolls — her hair is short, she loves baseball, she idolizes Amelia Earhart, and she dreams of becoming a newspaper journalist. Her stories are equal parts heart-wrenching and hopeful. Valerie Tripp once again helps children learn about the past in honest, but age-appropriate ways.
Profile Image for Leah.
1,249 reviews5 followers
November 1, 2020
Minus book 1

These were great books. Kit is a very fun, likable, and sympathetic character. The Depression is a unique time in our history, and I thought the author did a great job bringing it to life from a child's perspective.

Made me wonder if someday there will be an American Girl series set during 2020, with COVID-19 and the extreme political unrest. A lot of American families are experiencing similar circumstances as Kit with things the way they are.

Anyway, I very much enjoyed Kit as a character and this series. It was entertaining, educational, and memorable. Kit was a new American Girl; I grew out of them before she was released, so it was fun to meet her and enjoy her experiences and lessons learned.
Profile Image for Leago.
7 reviews
December 1, 2022
As someone who recently got into American Girl and is slowly working my way through the characters’ books, I have to say that Kit’s story is my absolute favourite so far. It’s so bright and hopeful despite the sad setting, and Kit herself is an amazing character. I loved how resourceful and determined she was, and I loved reading about her friendships with the other characters. These books just warmed my heart, honestly! American Girl in general is such a unique and amazing franchise because not only are the dolls immaculate, the novels are also charming and brilliantly written and you find yourself learning a whole lot about the time periods they’re set in. All in all, a fantastic book collection that deserves to be remembered as a modern children’s classic!
Profile Image for Molly Grimmius.
827 reviews11 followers
November 2, 2020
4 years 1/2Read aloud with Anne. This may be my absolute favorite American girl series so far... And I am a Kirstin girl but I though that they portrayed the depression so well and how the family responded to it seemed realistic and true to form. The dad had the best line in one of the books about the hardest thing about the depression is just the unknown of how long it will all last... and that get very applicable to right now. Great series.
Profile Image for Ashley.
236 reviews
December 12, 2022
I assumed I’d romanticized these books from when I read them as a kid, but 15+ years and hundreds of books later, I still think they’re excellent. I love that they tackle real issues without a lot of sugarcoating, and that the girls find REAL ways to help that aren’t unrealistic/fantastical, like Kit writing a letter and taking pictures for her newspaper and inspiring people to donate coats for homeless kids.
Profile Image for Katie Kaste.
2,116 reviews
January 5, 2024
Kit is a young lady living in the Great Depression. She loves to play with her friend and write newspaper stories about the day for her dad. When he looses his business the whole family needs to make adjustments. They open a boarding house in order to keep their home and pay the bills. She travels through two years of the Great Depression she learns how to penny pinch and still have fun.
Profile Image for Jessica Nicole Abercrombie.
345 reviews7 followers
December 15, 2024
3.5⭐️

I caught myself rolling my eyes a few times throughout this but then again, I can see how this would be a pretty accurate representation of a young girl who is experiencing this. She would be whiny and frustrated but I will say that Kit does grow into it a lot throughout her stories. Definitely not my favorite.
46 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2025
I read this book to understand if it is a book that one of my grandnieces would enjoy. It tells the story of a young g girl and her friends growing up and being responsible during the Depression. They did their best to support their families and others, yet be kids. Excellent book for someone in 5th+ grade.
51 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2025
I loved the American Girl series when I was growing up. Kit was introduced once I had gotten a little older, so this is my first time reading her six-book series as an adult. I loved them! I think I would have loved Kit and would have probably bought the doll had I read her books as a kid, because I wanted to become a journalist like her — and I am one now!
Profile Image for Abigail Werner.
177 reviews
January 8, 2026
I would recommend all girls read through the American Girl books at some point, they have so much history packed in-between the lines of engaging stories. Kit has to learn to be thrifty, much to her dismay. But with the Great Depression, Kit learned many new tricks, and how to work hard over the following difficult years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews

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