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American Girl: Short Stories #26
Kaya and the River Girl
Fresh New Adventures for Beloved Characters. American Girls Short Stories(TM) These perfectly pocket-size (41/2" 6") hardcover books feature exciting new adventures for the popular American Girls characters. Each book features full-color illustrations, a historical picture essay, and directions for a fun activity. When Spotted Owl becomes friends with Kaya's sister, Speaking Rain, Kaya feels left out. Can Kaya overcome her jealously and work with Spotted Owl in a moment of danger?
56 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 5, 2022
I'm still yet to read Kaya's main books but I did quite enjoy this. She seems like a character I might have related to a lot when I was 8-ish. There were a couple of slow moments but I could probably blame those on me being sleepy
March 22, 2017
REVIEW
Kaya and the River Girl is a short story from the American Girl series, and serves as a fictional window into history, in the year 1794, through the eyes of a young Nez Peirce Native American girl. In this story, Kaya’s sister Speaking Rain befriends another young girl named Spotted Owl, and Kaya must deal with her feelings of jealousy over their newfound friendship. She learns to let go of her negative feelings when she works with Spotted Owl to save an Elder Woman from drowning in the river. The second half of the book serves to educate and share information about the Nez Perce Native Americans and trading traditions of the time period. A glossary of Nez Perce vocabulary used in the story is also provided, as well as instructions for a DIY petroglyph (story-telling stone). The illustrations given are realistic and descriptive, with captions underneath reiterating the passage they refer to; small objects mentioned in the story are also drawn throughout the book.
RESPONSE
I give this book 5 stars because it hits a rich cross section for young readers: historical fiction that is informative, detailed, relatable, and provides activities for children to do connected to the reading, all under 50 pages. The relatable section comes from Kaya’s personal journey of over coming friendship jealousy and being brave in the face of disaster; information is imbedded in the narration via foreign words and background descriptions of Kaya’s life, as well as in the non-fiction chapter that provides photographs; and detail is given in both written word and the beautiful illustrations. This book may be small (part of the American Girls Short Stories collection) but it packs a heavy dose of entertainment and wisdom.
Kaya and the River Girl is a short story from the American Girl series, and serves as a fictional window into history, in the year 1794, through the eyes of a young Nez Peirce Native American girl. In this story, Kaya’s sister Speaking Rain befriends another young girl named Spotted Owl, and Kaya must deal with her feelings of jealousy over their newfound friendship. She learns to let go of her negative feelings when she works with Spotted Owl to save an Elder Woman from drowning in the river. The second half of the book serves to educate and share information about the Nez Perce Native Americans and trading traditions of the time period. A glossary of Nez Perce vocabulary used in the story is also provided, as well as instructions for a DIY petroglyph (story-telling stone). The illustrations given are realistic and descriptive, with captions underneath reiterating the passage they refer to; small objects mentioned in the story are also drawn throughout the book.
RESPONSE
I give this book 5 stars because it hits a rich cross section for young readers: historical fiction that is informative, detailed, relatable, and provides activities for children to do connected to the reading, all under 50 pages. The relatable section comes from Kaya’s personal journey of over coming friendship jealousy and being brave in the face of disaster; information is imbedded in the narration via foreign words and background descriptions of Kaya’s life, as well as in the non-fiction chapter that provides photographs; and detail is given in both written word and the beautiful illustrations. This book may be small (part of the American Girls Short Stories collection) but it packs a heavy dose of entertainment and wisdom.
January 21, 2024
Review January 10th 2024(4*): Kaya becomes angry and envious as spotted owl a girl at their trading site becomes best friends with her sister. She knows she is a good person but the feelings don’t go away until the two girls work together to save an elder woman that fell from a canoe.
I liked this story it was interesting seeing this different side to Kaya, she hadn’t ever felt this way about others in her community but as she didn’t see her sister as much now she wanted all the time with her, so struggling to deal with someone else being around her sister was difficult for her.
I really liked though how she and Spotted Owl also became best friends after working really hard together to help another, then becoming trader partners, it was such a sweet touch. I liked that they found a way to mend the struggle between them.
Review May 3rd 2020(3*): Kaya and her sister meet a new girl Spotted Owl who instantly becomes a competition for Kaya but a best friend for Sleeping Rain, but when a situation calls for it they find a way to work together.
This book was really interesting, I hadn’t yet read anything else on Kaya so this was an interesting read for me, I really loved how she actually grew through this book, she was struggling and having a hard time adjusting to sharing her sister.
I loved the turn in storyline when they were forced together and she had to do what wa s best for everyone and force her bad feelings away thanks to the help of She Who Watches, helping the girls finally be friends too.
It was really adorable and I liked the lessons within this book, it was a great short read.
I liked this story it was interesting seeing this different side to Kaya, she hadn’t ever felt this way about others in her community but as she didn’t see her sister as much now she wanted all the time with her, so struggling to deal with someone else being around her sister was difficult for her.
I really liked though how she and Spotted Owl also became best friends after working really hard together to help another, then becoming trader partners, it was such a sweet touch. I liked that they found a way to mend the struggle between them.
Review May 3rd 2020(3*): Kaya and her sister meet a new girl Spotted Owl who instantly becomes a competition for Kaya but a best friend for Sleeping Rain, but when a situation calls for it they find a way to work together.
This book was really interesting, I hadn’t yet read anything else on Kaya so this was an interesting read for me, I really loved how she actually grew through this book, she was struggling and having a hard time adjusting to sharing her sister.
I loved the turn in storyline when they were forced together and she had to do what wa s best for everyone and force her bad feelings away thanks to the help of She Who Watches, helping the girls finally be friends too.
It was really adorable and I liked the lessons within this book, it was a great short read.
December 12, 2022
I would’ve loved bonus short stories about my favorite American Girls when I was growing up! I read this one after finishing the Kaya series. After reading the others, this one didn’t feel like it had much substance, but it is meant to be a short story, after all.
October 2, 2023
This one was okay. Kids may relate to it. Kaya was jealous of a girl who just wanted to be her friend. She saw her as competition, and she knew she shouldn't, but she did.
Then they have to work together to save a life and Kaya realizes her sister was right and being friends may be better 🙂
Then they have to work together to save a life and Kaya realizes her sister was right and being friends may be better 🙂
January 29, 2022
A very cute short story about navigating friendships
July 30, 2024
Simple story, nice to see girls in fiction saving old ladies in fiction!
March 31, 2026
A sweet edition to the 5th book and a look at the relationship between different tribes
August 10, 2018
Challenge: Romance Readers Monthly Challenge for August 2018 - August 1: National Girlfriends Day (5). Kaya and the River Girl are competitors who become friends and lifetime traders.
August 25, 2024
Reading for the first time as an adult. Kaya gets jealous when a girl from the River People (a) beats her in a race and (b) makes friends with Speaking Rain. It takes a situation where they need to work together for her to push past her jealousy and create a connection who could be a lifelong friend.
More Kaya babble
Meet Kaya | Kaya’s Escape | Kaya’s Hero | Kaya and Lone Dog | Kaya Shows the Way | Changes for Kaya
Kaya and the River Girl | Kaya’s Short Story Collection
The Silent Stranger | The Ghost Wind Stallion
The Roar of the Falls
More Kaya babble
Meet Kaya | Kaya’s Escape | Kaya’s Hero | Kaya and Lone Dog | Kaya Shows the Way | Changes for Kaya
Kaya and the River Girl | Kaya’s Short Story Collection
The Silent Stranger | The Ghost Wind Stallion
The Roar of the Falls
March 1, 2010
Nine-year-old Kaya and her family have traveled to the Big River to trade and visit with other tribes. While there, Kaya meets another girl her age, Spotted Owl, who is one of the River People. When Kaya looses a race against Spotted Owl, she becomes jealous of her. Her jealousy becomes even worse when Speaking Rain, Kaya's adopted sister, begins to spend time with Spotted Owl. However, Kaya must overcome her jealousy to work together with Spotted Owl during a crisis.
This was a nice short story that fans of American Girls books, particularly those who especially enjoyed the Kaya books, are sure to enjoy. It is historically accurate about what life was like for a young Nez Perce girl in 1764, and has beautiful illustrations and a nice message for young girls.
This was a nice short story that fans of American Girls books, particularly those who especially enjoyed the Kaya books, are sure to enjoy. It is historically accurate about what life was like for a young Nez Perce girl in 1764, and has beautiful illustrations and a nice message for young girls.
January 13, 2025
This is pretty similar to Kirsten and the New Girl, except Kaya's jealousy feels even more unwarranted. Kaya meets a girl from a new tribe and is annoyed when the girl beats her in a race. She dislikes her more when the new girl spends time with Speaking Rain, whom Kaya is suddenly very possessive over (even though the two are very inclusive and welcoming towards Kaya.)
This culminates in Kaya jealously pushing the new girl during a game, and then feeling a bond with her when they work together to save an old woman from the river. It's a very random rollercoaster of emotions.
There is also something about them going to see a sacred pictograph called "She Who Watches," which is kind of interesting, but again, pretty random.
This culminates in Kaya jealously pushing the new girl during a game, and then feeling a bond with her when they work together to save an old woman from the river. It's a very random rollercoaster of emotions.
There is also something about them going to see a sacred pictograph called "She Who Watches," which is kind of interesting, but again, pretty random.
January 18, 2014
Kaya struggles with jealousy when a new girl befriends her sister. This story felt way too rushed at the end and would have been better as a longer tale. The motivations felt 'off' and not realistic sometimes. Still if you like Kaya stories it's worth reading. The craft looks very fun!
February 27, 2014
Maya learns to have give and take in all friendships.
October 10, 2021
Nothing like danger to bring people together.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews