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American Girl: Kaya #1-6
Kaya: An American Girl : 1764 / Box Set
Kaya’s Nez Perce people are known for their skill with horses, and Kaya hopes to become the best horsewoman in the village. But after accepting a foolish challenge that puts her brothers in danger, Kaya earns a punishment and an insulting nickname. Kaya is inspired by a brave young woman in her village, and is determined to make better choices. Will Kaya prove that she can change and lose that horrible nickname?
The perfect way to learn about Kaya is with this complete set of her six books in an attractive slipcase. The set includes: Meet Kaya, Kaya's Escape, Kaya's Hero, Kaya and the Lone Dog, Kaya Shows the Way, and Changes for Kaya.
The perfect way to learn about Kaya is with this complete set of her six books in an attractive slipcase. The set includes: Meet Kaya, Kaya's Escape, Kaya's Hero, Kaya and the Lone Dog, Kaya Shows the Way, and Changes for Kaya.
360 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
11 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
June 22, 2012
I read this series to my children and I was surprised to find out how much I didn't know about Native Americans. I think I also just put all Native Americans into one category not realizing how different each tribe is. For instance, I thought all tribes lived in animal skin tepees, but this is not the case.
Also, I think either my teachers only taught me respectful facts of United States history, or my mind only remembers the positive, because I never realized, or pondered on the realities of how unfair these Native Americans have been treated by "the white people" and what we have done to destroy their traditions and their native land.
Also, I think either my teachers only taught me respectful facts of United States history, or my mind only remembers the positive, because I never realized, or pondered on the realities of how unfair these Native Americans have been treated by "the white people" and what we have done to destroy their traditions and their native land.
September 14, 2018
Oh, Kaya. These are still adorable, even at 22. Kaya was the last American Girl that was truly well done (a 1974 doll? really?). Her stories speak of respect for oneself, along with family and friends. These are well researched and well written for young girls, including phonetic pronounciation of Nez Perce words. This edition is simply stunning, and looks wonderful on a collector's shelf.
August 8, 2007
This book shows just how hard life was way back when. It also relates to a girl's life now. Kaya has problems that a girl in this era could relate to: she just wants to play and have no chores, has twin brothers that are younger and drive her crazy, and a boy that she cant' stop thinking about!
July 23, 2022
Reading these with Annie, and plan to read through the whole American Girl series with her. Oddly enough, I think these Kaya books came out after I had read the AG series myself as a girl, so this is the first time I'm reading these!
This is a gentle but fascinating way to learn about the history of this particular tribe. The language is a bit advanced sometimes, especially if A is trying to read it aloud on her own, and sometimes the story is a bit long-winded. But she follows along well, has connected with the characters, and overall we've enjoyed our time reading these together.
*Finished Update*
Annie really loved this series - it got better and better with each book. We had so many moments of joy and wonder and laughter reading this together. So excited about reading all these books with A!!
This is a gentle but fascinating way to learn about the history of this particular tribe. The language is a bit advanced sometimes, especially if A is trying to read it aloud on her own, and sometimes the story is a bit long-winded. But she follows along well, has connected with the characters, and overall we've enjoyed our time reading these together.
*Finished Update*
Annie really loved this series - it got better and better with each book. We had so many moments of joy and wonder and laughter reading this together. So excited about reading all these books with A!!
April 4, 2011
This was my first American Girl series, and if they are all this good, then I am hooked. I felt the author was true to the beliefs these people would have had and that all the books had interesting, yet believable story lines
January 31, 2009
She lives in indea, and one american family moves in, they teach tem about religous how to build there house... but what if they do somthing horrible like gain there trust and steel food?
August 20, 2025
Learn the wisdom of the natural world through Kaya.
Kaya is a young native American girl who lives with her father and mother two sisters and two brothers in the Nimipuu tribe. Kaya shows a lot of pride in her ability to ride her horse Steps high. However it's that pride that gets into trouble sometimes leading to her retaining the nickname magpie a thieving bird that thinks of itself. Kaya hates that nickname and wishes to be rid of it and to prove to her tribe that she is selfless and giving for that is the Nimipuu way. kaya goes through a lot during the span of the book. first she gets captured by a rival tribe including her blind sister Speaking Rain. her beloved horse also gets taken away. then she managed to escape with a boy named two Hawks. throughout the book she meets new friends and loses old ones all the while hoping that one day she'll see her horse again. we get to see the culture of kaya's tribe and how they go from place to place in order to survive. during the winter months they'll go up to the mountains to hunt for elk then during the spring months they'll go to the valley to dig up for roots and then later in the summer they'll go to the Salmon River to get salmon and also to trade with other tribes. it is a really good way to introduce students to a world that they may not be familiar with.
While I did grow up reading American girl books, I don't think I ever got a chance to read about Kaya. I'm not sure if the library just didn't have her books or maybe she hadn't come in before I got older. but I think as a kid I would have loved to read this book and even now as an adult I got to read it and I got to enjoy it. I kind of really wish that the American girl company had given Kaya more activity books. the majority of the other girls got to have cookbooks and craft books but sadly Kaya is one of the few American girls who don't have many reference books for her. I really do hope that Kaya gets some more love in the future we get more stuff about her. Time will tell.
Kaya is a young native American girl who lives with her father and mother two sisters and two brothers in the Nimipuu tribe. Kaya shows a lot of pride in her ability to ride her horse Steps high. However it's that pride that gets into trouble sometimes leading to her retaining the nickname magpie a thieving bird that thinks of itself. Kaya hates that nickname and wishes to be rid of it and to prove to her tribe that she is selfless and giving for that is the Nimipuu way. kaya goes through a lot during the span of the book. first she gets captured by a rival tribe including her blind sister Speaking Rain. her beloved horse also gets taken away. then she managed to escape with a boy named two Hawks. throughout the book she meets new friends and loses old ones all the while hoping that one day she'll see her horse again. we get to see the culture of kaya's tribe and how they go from place to place in order to survive. during the winter months they'll go up to the mountains to hunt for elk then during the spring months they'll go to the valley to dig up for roots and then later in the summer they'll go to the Salmon River to get salmon and also to trade with other tribes. it is a really good way to introduce students to a world that they may not be familiar with.
While I did grow up reading American girl books, I don't think I ever got a chance to read about Kaya. I'm not sure if the library just didn't have her books or maybe she hadn't come in before I got older. but I think as a kid I would have loved to read this book and even now as an adult I got to read it and I got to enjoy it. I kind of really wish that the American girl company had given Kaya more activity books. the majority of the other girls got to have cookbooks and craft books but sadly Kaya is one of the few American girls who don't have many reference books for her. I really do hope that Kaya gets some more love in the future we get more stuff about her. Time will tell.
July 28, 2020
It wasn’t until I started reading these that I realized that I had actually never read this series before. So with that in mind, the ratings may be lower due to the lack of nostalgia. Carry on.
Meet Kaya: This book was pretty good. It shows the personality, mostly negative, hinting that this will be changed and tested over the series.
3/5 Stars
Kaya’s Escape!
This book was pretty exciting. I liked the new characters introduced in this book and how unlike most in the American Girl series, the story wasn’t resolved at the end of the book. I liked that they dragged this specific storyline through the entire series.
4/5 Stars
Kaya’s Hero
I really liked this one. Swans Circling was such a cool character, and this one was for sure the most emotional one in the series. You can start to see Kaya maturing and learning what really is most important in life.
5/5 Stars
Kaya and the Lone Dog
I love animal stories! This one was very sweet, and again deals with making new friends and learning to say goodbye. Once again it’s clear to see that Kaya has matured so much since the first book and I love that kind of progression.
5/5 Stars
Kaya Shows the Way
This book was alright. I like that some of the storylines from earlier books begin to resolve themselves by the fifth book. It seemed pretty short, and I felt like there could have been more added to this one. But it was pretty good.
3/5 Stars
Changes for Kaya
Again, this one seemed very short. It was nice to see her get her horse back but it was only four chapters long, which most of the books in this series are usually six chapters. I thought it ended kind of abruptly. I was hoping to see the resolution of Brown Deer’s wedding which was hinted at, but never actually seen. I think that would have been a nice way to end it.
2/5 Stars
Final Rating: 3/5 stars
Meet Kaya: This book was pretty good. It shows the personality, mostly negative, hinting that this will be changed and tested over the series.
3/5 Stars
Kaya’s Escape!
This book was pretty exciting. I liked the new characters introduced in this book and how unlike most in the American Girl series, the story wasn’t resolved at the end of the book. I liked that they dragged this specific storyline through the entire series.
4/5 Stars
Kaya’s Hero
I really liked this one. Swans Circling was such a cool character, and this one was for sure the most emotional one in the series. You can start to see Kaya maturing and learning what really is most important in life.
5/5 Stars
Kaya and the Lone Dog
I love animal stories! This one was very sweet, and again deals with making new friends and learning to say goodbye. Once again it’s clear to see that Kaya has matured so much since the first book and I love that kind of progression.
5/5 Stars
Kaya Shows the Way
This book was alright. I like that some of the storylines from earlier books begin to resolve themselves by the fifth book. It seemed pretty short, and I felt like there could have been more added to this one. But it was pretty good.
3/5 Stars
Changes for Kaya
Again, this one seemed very short. It was nice to see her get her horse back but it was only four chapters long, which most of the books in this series are usually six chapters. I thought it ended kind of abruptly. I was hoping to see the resolution of Brown Deer’s wedding which was hinted at, but never actually seen. I think that would have been a nice way to end it.
2/5 Stars
Final Rating: 3/5 stars
February 8, 2023
Kaya: An American Girl: 1764 by Janet Beeler Shaw is a historical fiction novel that provides an intimate look into the life of a Native American girl during the late 1700s. The story is set in the Pacific Northwest and follows Kaya, a member of the Nez Perce tribe, as she navigates the challenges of growing up in a rapidly changing world.
One of the most notable aspects of the book is the richly drawn setting and culture. Shaw does an excellent job of capturing the essence of Native American life in the Pacific Northwest, from the customs and traditions of the Nez Perce to the beauty of the landscape. The author also does a great job of bringing historical events to life, such as the arrival of European settlers and the changing relationships between Native American tribes and settlers.
Kaya is a well-developed and relatable protagonist who readers will come to love and admire. She is brave, determined, and kind-hearted, and her struggles to balance her traditional Nez Perce values with the changing world around her make her an engaging and compelling character. The supporting cast of characters is also well-crafted and adds depth and complexity to the story.
In conclusion, Kaya: An American Girl: 1764 is a fantastic read for anyone who loves historical fiction and is interested in learning more about Native American culture and history. The book provides a unique and engaging look into a fascinating time and place, and the characters are sure to stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
One of the most notable aspects of the book is the richly drawn setting and culture. Shaw does an excellent job of capturing the essence of Native American life in the Pacific Northwest, from the customs and traditions of the Nez Perce to the beauty of the landscape. The author also does a great job of bringing historical events to life, such as the arrival of European settlers and the changing relationships between Native American tribes and settlers.
Kaya is a well-developed and relatable protagonist who readers will come to love and admire. She is brave, determined, and kind-hearted, and her struggles to balance her traditional Nez Perce values with the changing world around her make her an engaging and compelling character. The supporting cast of characters is also well-crafted and adds depth and complexity to the story.
In conclusion, Kaya: An American Girl: 1764 is a fantastic read for anyone who loves historical fiction and is interested in learning more about Native American culture and history. The book provides a unique and engaging look into a fascinating time and place, and the characters are sure to stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
January 25, 2025
I don't remember if I read all six of these books as a child. I think I might have missed some. Overall, enjoyable stories, but there are a few things they describe about Nez Perce culture that I would have to double check with other sources. (I'm particularly skeptical of the existence of a signed language used for communication between tribes, but I suppose it's possible that's real and not just plot convenient.) I think the Looking Back sections did a pretty good job of not sugarcoating colonizers' treatment of Native Americans, but they also made it clear that this tribe still exists and maintains aspects of their culture from centuries ago.
June 25, 2024
It's hard for me to rate these stories as an adult since they're clearly written for a much younger audience. I appreciate the work they put into them for historical accuracy and for discussing hard themes in ways that aren't overwhelming but also not inauthentic. The stories weren't incredibly engaging for an adult, but I think they would be for a younger reader, and it was good to read them again twenty years later and not just leave them sitting on a shelf. I'll be reading the rest of my American Girl story collections as well.
November 28, 2021
Kaya's Story is set in the 1700s, Kaya is a Nez Perce girl (about 10). I'm really impressed with this book. Kaya faces a lot of challenges; internal, natural, and conflict with others. The Nez Perce culture is illuminated well and respectfully. And I'm outright impressed with the prose, especially the descriptions of nature. This might be a bit simple for an adult, but I'd highly recommend it for an adolescent or teen.
September 22, 2021
The other AG horse girl, Kaya was my first American Girl doll, and I loved her adventures. The illustrations in Kaya’s books are some of the most beautiful in the entire AG series. Kaya’s stories are intense, and I didn’t love Kaya’s Escape, but I do like the series. Her stories do a great job of situating the reader in the geographic and social context of Kaya’s Nez Perce culture, and I liked the emphasis on Kaya’s extended family and community, especially her relationship with her maternal grandmother and her mentor Swan Circling. My strongest criticism is that the Changes for Kaya doesn’t include Kaya’s name change or vision quest, both of which are alluded to earlier in the series.
November 28, 2022
Reading this as an adult, I was rather impressed with the amount of research that went into this to tell a culturally appropriate story. I started reading this with a critical lens to see what they got right and what they got wrong and ultimately finished the books satisfied. I’m glad Kaya has not yet been retired, her story is very important for girls to understand.
September 2, 2025
Easily my most read 'American Girls' book of my childhood; felt a pull to read it after unearthing all my AG books to display on a new bookshelf. Obviously targeted at kids but hit a certain nostalgia in me. These collections were what first inspired my love of reading, so I'll always view them fondly.
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January 6, 2021I will never get over Swan Circling and neither will Kaya.
Anyway, Debbie Reese’s review is the only one anybody needs: https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...
Anyway, Debbie Reese’s review is the only one anybody needs: https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...
May 30, 2021
I read these in preparation for the upcoming school year. I think it will be a fun take on history to use the American Girl books as a launching point. I appreciate that AG went through the effort of getting approval and insight from current tribal members to write this series.
October 9, 2022
My kids (10, 7, 6) and I enjoyed listening to these on audio. They were quite a bit more intense and sad than the other AG books. We all learned a lot and felt like we got a glimpse into the life of an average girl during that time.
July 19, 2025
We loved this series, a great addition to our living history repertoire. I did have a few conservations about the Native American culture and practices in the book that differ from our beliefs as Christians.
August 24, 2019
Very interesting and educational about one of the groups of the first peoples of United States of America.
January 29, 2021
Glad we listened to the Kaya books. We all really enjoyed learning more about how the Native Americans lived long ago.
July 21, 2021
Solid childhood read, but not super nostalgic. I have the doll though!
February 23, 2022
so good
April 21, 2022
Has always been my favorite collection
May 30, 2022
These books started my love of reading. I just got to enjoy reading them to my child. ❤
September 27, 2022
Fun collection of historical fiction literature, with really good historical facts at the end 👍👍
February 9, 2024
Took me back to my childhood!
March 23, 2024
Amazing!!!
July 1, 2024
A good refresher. Just all the six stories bound into one beautiful edition. Only "Looking Back" part is after Changes and it's extensive. Maybe double what it normally would be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews