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American Girl: Rebecca #5
Rebecca to the Rescue
Rebecca is thrilled to spend a day at the Coney Island amusement park with her cousins. If only Papa hadn't put her bossy brother Victor in charge of all the games and rides! Fuming, Rebecca resolves to show Victor that girls can do anything boys can do. When the boys tease and laugh at her, she and Ana decide to leave their brothers and have fun on their own. Then the Ferris wheel gets stuck and Ana disappears--and the girls get more excitement than they bargained for. Includes an illustrated "Looking Back" section about Coney Island in 1914.
77 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
About the author
Jacqueline Dembar Greene
46 books35 followersMs. Greene is an American author of more than 30 books and stories for young readers. In addition to her American Girl series, some of her notable books of fiction include: Out of Many Waters, a historical novel about the first Jewish settlement in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 1, 2026
"Yet Rebecca couldn't help thinking that boys did get to do a lot more then girls, and not only studying Hebrew."This book opens with Victor, Rebecca's older brother, going through his bar mitzvah.
Rebecca can't help but feel more than a little jealous - she wants the opportunity to read from the Torah in front of everyone, but she's a girl.
Despite her jealousy, Rebecca feels proud when her brother is able to successfully complete his bar mitzvah, and then she realizes that Papa is going to treat the whole family to a trip to Coney Island.
"To be a good Jewish wife and mother, you girls still have plenty to learn," said Bubbie.
There are rides, and games, and cool sights to see...and her brother is in charge of it. Papa tells Victor that since he's now a man, he is going to be in charge of his older sisters, Rebecca, and Ana while they race around the park.
Victor takes on this role with pride, going so far as to pin the tickets to Rebecca and Ana's outfits in case they lose it, and making fun of Rebecca when she loses at one of the games.
"I'll decide what rides you can take," he announced, talking like a schoolteacher. "Some of them might be too dangerous for you."
"You could never win this game," Victor scoffed. "You couldn't hit the side of a tenement house with a baseball." A group of boys standing around the booth began to laugh.How can Rebecca and Ana have fun at the park when Victor seeks to control their every move?
"You wasted five whole cents," Victor pointed out. "You should have listened to me."I feel torn on this one because Victor was a beast but I liked the bar mitzvah, the tour of Coney Island and the ending was quite good.
"Leave me alone!" Rebecca blurted out. Tears welled in her eyes, and she turned away.
Regarding Victor - I really didn't get such a patronizing and controlling vibe from him in previous books. Sometimes he'd tease Rebecca, but not overly so.
And yet in this book, it was like he couldn't believe Rebecca could handle tying her own shoes.
I think part of it could be explained by Papa suddenly granting Victor power over all the girls by giving him the tickets and telling him to watch his sisters. What child wouldn't go a bit over-the-top when their parent tells them they can control everyone?
And yet, he still felt just too controlling and patronizing in this book compared to his previous representations. And there wasn't a satisfying comeuppance for his behavior.
That being said, I did like how the book showed his bar mitzvah though I wish it was given more page space and getting a peek into Coney Island was rather neat.
I thought it was fun to get descriptions of the various rides and events that the girls got to go on, and we got to see some rather fun acting from Max, Lily, and Rebecca.
The ending was hugely dramatic and really kept me glued to the page, so that was rather great!
March 6, 2019
In this story Rebecca makes some poor choices, winds up in a position where she puts her life on the line to help her cousin Ana out of a dangerous situation, one that Rebecca and Ana got into in the first place. I felt myself not quite feeling very sympathetic toward Rebecca for the rules she breaks and the disregard she shows for her own and Ana's safety. Rebecca actually gets rewarded for not following the rules. As I'm reading this story as a Mom, I'm trying to remember how impulsive I might have been as a child. How I might have acted in the same situation.
Thus far, the least favorite of this series, but not without its charms.
Thus far, the least favorite of this series, but not without its charms.
January 25, 2013
Not much of a story, this entry in the American Girls series does have a short episode about Rebecca's older brother's Bar Mitzvah, but the rest of the book is a desultory romp through Coney Island. Spoiler alert: Yes, Rebecca does rescue her Cousin Ana, but there is a fireman right behind her (not pictured on the cover)and Ana would not have been in trouble had she and Ana followed the directions of their parents. It seems most unlikely that she could have sprung up the fire ladder without getting hauled off by the first responders who were on the scene. And once again, Rebecca appears far too fresh and cool for a girl walking through Coney Island in midsummer. There is of course a historical note, but people looking for more details about Bar Mitzvah will be disappointed: it's all about Coney Island. It seems unlikely to me that this would have any use in an elementary school history class, and I don't think it has either much plot or character development. For a better series about Jewish girls in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, read the All of a Kind Family books by Sidney Taylor.
November 29, 2024
I don’t usually read thrillers but this one was great! Truly gripping!
November 13, 2023
Disaster strikes at Coney Island and Rebecca is the only one who might be able to help....
Having grown up with Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family, I love stories about families going to Coney Island in this era. The story begins with a bar mitzvah and Greene sets the day out as a family celebration of Rebecca's brother's accomplishment. I did not love the resolution to this story, but overall it is a good installment in the series.
Having grown up with Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family, I love stories about families going to Coney Island in this era. The story begins with a bar mitzvah and Greene sets the day out as a family celebration of Rebecca's brother's accomplishment. I did not love the resolution to this story, but overall it is a good installment in the series.
December 15, 2023
Like the other books in this particular series, you'll need to put aside your adult disbelief for a moment. I see what the author was trying to do here but for me, it is a weak link in the series so far. With the OG American Girls the "Save the Day" books seemed like things that might actually happen to a 10 year old girl and her friends: taking a row boat out when you're told not to and getting caught in a storm and then needing to navigate through rapids with an injured adult, getting scammed by an adult, putting aside your personal differences to make sure the charity fair is a success etc etc. Like they're sensational and unlikely but somehow more believable than the main plot arc in this story.
I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't get more context on her brother's Bar Mitzvah. For someone who'd never interacted with Jewish friends they'd be lost. This is my biggest beef with this series. We finally get a Jewish character but we don't actually get to see much of her as a Jewish girl. Versus say a Josefina where we get an in depth look at La Posada or Kirsten's St. Lucia celebrations.
I liked seeing the attempt to pull in Coney Island history. As an adult who has never been to Coney Island (though I'm definitely familiar with the Steeplechase) I learned a bit, but I wish they'd gone into more depth on that particular famous ride. I'm not sure a 9 year old reader with no context would get it.
Overall this series is likeable, but it's not as good as the oldies.
I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't get more context on her brother's Bar Mitzvah. For someone who'd never interacted with Jewish friends they'd be lost. This is my biggest beef with this series. We finally get a Jewish character but we don't actually get to see much of her as a Jewish girl. Versus say a Josefina where we get an in depth look at La Posada or Kirsten's St. Lucia celebrations.
I liked seeing the attempt to pull in Coney Island history. As an adult who has never been to Coney Island (though I'm definitely familiar with the Steeplechase) I learned a bit, but I wish they'd gone into more depth on that particular famous ride. I'm not sure a 9 year old reader with no context would get it.
Overall this series is likeable, but it's not as good as the oldies.
October 21, 2021
This review is from teh perspective of a mother. I am reading the Rebecca series to evaluate when they will be appropriate to share with my daughter.
Here's another one that requires suspension of disbelief, but I'm sure it provides enough adventure for the target audience!
The opening of the book, with its emphasis on the bar mitzvah rite of passage for Rebecca's older brother, was interesting, if a bit pedantic. The story quickly shifts to fun and adventure at Coney Island. Although I found the rescue a bit melodramatic, I appreciated that when Rebecca and Ana disobeyed parental instructions, there were both negative consequences and punishment, something that has been lacking in many of the AG books.
While I haven't rated any one particular book of Rebecca's very high, I think the stories as a whole are timeless and relevant to the target audience - they deal with teasing, accepting someone who is different, judging others, celebrating your heritage/faith/traditions, and I think Rebecca grows throughout the series. I like the emphasis on Rebecca's emotions as she grapples with issues - this is a well-rounded series, and even exceeds some of the earlier AG historical series.
Here's another one that requires suspension of disbelief, but I'm sure it provides enough adventure for the target audience!
The opening of the book, with its emphasis on the bar mitzvah rite of passage for Rebecca's older brother, was interesting, if a bit pedantic. The story quickly shifts to fun and adventure at Coney Island. Although I found the rescue a bit melodramatic, I appreciated that when Rebecca and Ana disobeyed parental instructions, there were both negative consequences and punishment, something that has been lacking in many of the AG books.
While I haven't rated any one particular book of Rebecca's very high, I think the stories as a whole are timeless and relevant to the target audience - they deal with teasing, accepting someone who is different, judging others, celebrating your heritage/faith/traditions, and I think Rebecca grows throughout the series. I like the emphasis on Rebecca's emotions as she grapples with issues - this is a well-rounded series, and even exceeds some of the earlier AG historical series.
October 24, 2024
another flop unfortunately. it just all felt very disconnected and meaningless. i dont know how you make a coney island special so lackluster... loved getting to see more lily tho.
October 12, 2025
why would they cut this from the new versions. for shame
September 11, 2025
Man, Coney Island was a wild place!
June 14, 2022
Re-read 2022: So I enjoyed the first chapter, which is largely recounting Rebecca's brother's bar mitzvah, and of course all the details about Coney Island. But the big rescue and that everybody comes out ahead requires hugely suspending disbelief. And I feel like this is the second book in a row that's kind of telling young readers that doing whatever they want will turn out fine.
May 18, 2015
Really, you had to name this Rebecca to the Rescue instead of Rebecca saves the Day? I get that the American Girls series started changing some of the central titles, but this is the best they could do?
August 9, 2012
By far the most farfetched of the Rebecca books. Had a hard time with this one, as nothing really seemed plausible. Nice story with Coney Island and the like, but too much of a "she did it!" ending.
March 9, 2022
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
Much as the last book was one chapter of Passover v. birthday followed by a detailed tour of the movie studio, this one is two chapters of Victor's bar mitzvah followed by a day at Coney Island. The whole family is there, so we get the elders' reactions to everything (often negative, but they manage to have fun, too).
With the pressure and success of his bar mitzvah, Victor proceeds to be ghastly in a very patriarchal way - which is unfortunately enabled by Papa. There's a strong element of "girls can't ___" throughout the book, ranging from bat mitzvahs not yet being common to baseball being a man's game to the elders' assumption that the sisters will need a man to care for them, even as they grow up. It's useful context for young readers even while it's all a huge buzzkill. Victor makes a peace offering on the very last page, even admitting that Rebecca could probably throw well with a little coaching. Rebecca is mollified, rather moreso than I was.
The climax of the book - the cover illustration and the incident that gives the book its title - might be the most horrifying Saves the Day concept yet. While I deeply do not like bees or rattlesnakes (wait, that's a birthday book - eh, keeping it anyway), and I recognize the dangers of steering a small boat over big rocks in a storm, I really don't like ladders. Rebecca clearly has nerves of steel, and while of course I was glad she succeeded, I was also glad the girls got scolded as well as embraced in relief. (Contrast Felicity in both her Birthday and Saves the Day books.)
What I enjoyed much more is the way Max and Lily - and later Rebecca - show us how to take control of an embarrassing situation. By embracing it as an opportunity to perform and being willing to make fun of themselves, they completely defuse the situation. It's both delightful to watch and feels very useful, especially to the target age group.
And yes, as the last book hinted, Max and Lily are now definitely an item, and she's going out of her way to impress the family. Will we see a wedding in the next book? Will our podcast friends insist, as with Uncle Gard and Uncle Luc, that Max is clearly gay? My guesses are yes and yes.
Much as the last book was one chapter of Passover v. birthday followed by a detailed tour of the movie studio, this one is two chapters of Victor's bar mitzvah followed by a day at Coney Island. The whole family is there, so we get the elders' reactions to everything (often negative, but they manage to have fun, too).
With the pressure and success of his bar mitzvah, Victor proceeds to be ghastly in a very patriarchal way - which is unfortunately enabled by Papa. There's a strong element of "girls can't ___" throughout the book, ranging from bat mitzvahs not yet being common to baseball being a man's game to the elders' assumption that the sisters will need a man to care for them, even as they grow up. It's useful context for young readers even while it's all a huge buzzkill. Victor makes a peace offering on the very last page, even admitting that Rebecca could probably throw well with a little coaching. Rebecca is mollified, rather moreso than I was.
The climax of the book - the cover illustration and the incident that gives the book its title - might be the most horrifying Saves the Day concept yet. While I deeply do not like bees or rattlesnakes (wait, that's a birthday book - eh, keeping it anyway), and I recognize the dangers of steering a small boat over big rocks in a storm, I really don't like ladders. Rebecca clearly has nerves of steel, and while of course I was glad she succeeded, I was also glad the girls got scolded as well as embraced in relief. (Contrast Felicity in both her Birthday and Saves the Day books.)
What I enjoyed much more is the way Max and Lily - and later Rebecca - show us how to take control of an embarrassing situation. By embracing it as an opportunity to perform and being willing to make fun of themselves, they completely defuse the situation. It's both delightful to watch and feels very useful, especially to the target age group.
And yes, as the last book hinted, Max and Lily are now definitely an item, and she's going out of her way to impress the family. Will we see a wedding in the next book? Will our podcast friends insist, as with Uncle Gard and Uncle Luc, that Max is clearly gay? My guesses are yes and yes.
July 17, 2018
This was a fun read. It made me wonder about Jewish traditions; especially the Bat Mitzvah. Turns out the first American celebration of Bat Mitzvah was in 1922, but that it had been practiced in Europe earlier. Also learned that Jewish daughters achieve Bat Mitzvah at age 12 (a year earlier than boys).
I also learned more about Coney Island's early days. [Love that history section in the back of the book.] I like the illustrations as well. I think they support the material well. It is a shame American Girl decided to remove illustrations from their new books. I suppose it makes the material seem as if it is for an older reader and many readers can search the Internet from photos.
This adventure reminds me of a few silent movies I've seen. I won't elaborate because I don't like to give spoilers. these are such short stories any clues are spoilers.
What impressed me most about this story is the exploration of familiar family interactions, Rebecca's growth as a character, and the message it delivered. The message was a good one.
An easy read for an adult. A nice chapter book for younger readers. Fun from beginning to end; like a day at the amusement park. ;-)
I also learned more about Coney Island's early days. [Love that history section in the back of the book.] I like the illustrations as well. I think they support the material well. It is a shame American Girl decided to remove illustrations from their new books. I suppose it makes the material seem as if it is for an older reader and many readers can search the Internet from photos.
This adventure reminds me of a few silent movies I've seen. I won't elaborate because I don't like to give spoilers. these are such short stories any clues are spoilers.
What impressed me most about this story is the exploration of familiar family interactions, Rebecca's growth as a character, and the message it delivered. The message was a good one.
An easy read for an adult. A nice chapter book for younger readers. Fun from beginning to end; like a day at the amusement park. ;-)
February 2, 2017
It was fun seeing Rebecca agree with her older sisters about Victor getting extra attention (because of his Bar Mitzvah). It was also fun when Rebecca and Victor were being friendly towards each other at the very end. I love seeing how realistically the characters act - siblings don't always fight and tease.
Some things I learned: I never knew they had a racehorse ride at Coney Island. I also never imagined that they had a "game" where you could shatter dishes. That's a game I could get into! I'd be much better at that than most of the carnival games I see nowadays!
Some things I learned: I never knew they had a racehorse ride at Coney Island. I also never imagined that they had a "game" where you could shatter dishes. That's a game I could get into! I'd be much better at that than most of the carnival games I see nowadays!
February 22, 2022
The author does a good job with her depiction of the interaction between siblings. There is jealousy, annoyance, rivalry, pride, teasing and love all jumbled together.
The entire family goes to Coney Island for the day. Even Bubbie enjoys herself. I'm a little surprised Rebecca still hasn't told her parents about her part in the movie. Maybe she said Max gave her the phonograph (which means she's not just lying by omission, but lying outright). Yikes! Not the best message.
Just as I suspected after "Rebecca and the Movies", Lily shows up again.
The rescue part of this book, however, proved to be somewhat unbelievable. No way would such a rescue take place without one or both of the girls tumbling to their deaths. I liked the very end and suspected Victor would win her a doll.
The entire family goes to Coney Island for the day. Even Bubbie enjoys herself. I'm a little surprised Rebecca still hasn't told her parents about her part in the movie. Maybe she said Max gave her the phonograph (which means she's not just lying by omission, but lying outright). Yikes! Not the best message.
Just as I suspected after "Rebecca and the Movies", Lily shows up again.
The rescue part of this book, however, proved to be somewhat unbelievable. No way would such a rescue take place without one or both of the girls tumbling to their deaths. I liked the very end and suspected Victor would win her a doll.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
Although the rescue part was quite unrealistic and a little ridiculous I really liked the rest of the story. I've been to Coney Island and it was cool to read about how it was back then and fun to see how people could just act ridiculous and have fun instead of being stuffy and proper all the time. Definitely would've enjoyed the place a lot more if I were to have visited back then and used it as a break from my everyday life. It's funny how they swam holding on to ropes bag were strung throughout the water too lol. Those are obviously no longer there.
March 18, 2018
I read this book with my 9 year old daughter. We would have finished sooner, but got distracted with other books.
I love all things American Girl. The characters are age appropriate and the time periods are educational. My issue is with the Rebecca series. Each book gets more and more unrealistic. I know it’s fiction, but historical fiction. Some of the things she does- ex climbing a fireman’s ladder is completely dangerous and totally improper for her time period.
This book gave us much to chat about.
I love all things American Girl. The characters are age appropriate and the time periods are educational. My issue is with the Rebecca series. Each book gets more and more unrealistic. I know it’s fiction, but historical fiction. Some of the things she does- ex climbing a fireman’s ladder is completely dangerous and totally improper for her time period.
This book gave us much to chat about.
December 8, 2019
It's the rescue/Saves the Day book! I do like Rebecca's more than Julie's if only because I still cannot fathom that people actually did a wagon train repeat on the bicentennial.
Rebecca's older brother Victor turns 13 and has a bar mitzvah, reading from the Torah. To celebrate officially becoming a man, the family goes to Coney Island! Plot ensues. It's an okay adventure, just didn't feel like I got anything deep out of this one.
Rebecca's older brother Victor turns 13 and has a bar mitzvah, reading from the Torah. To celebrate officially becoming a man, the family goes to Coney Island! Plot ensues. It's an okay adventure, just didn't feel like I got anything deep out of this one.
February 6, 2024
3 stars. Definitely my least favorite in the series. It felt pointless honestly. I liked the beginning part focusing on Rebecca's brother's Bar Mitzvah but then the family goes to Coney Island and Rebecca just does reckless things. She's ten so I get it but she's shown to be a bit more responsible in previous books so it felt a bit out of character to me. She put herself and her cousin in danger and while it made for an entertaining read it did nothing for her character.
February 2, 2025
Oh boy the Peek Into the Past section is YIKES in this one for the completely uncritical mention of Luna Park’s “exotic locations, such as an Eskimo village complete with real Eskimos.” YIKES. This book was published in 2009, that’s recent enough to have known better than to present exploitative human-zoo type attractions as something fun and exciting and using an outdated term for Inuit/Yupik people while they’re at it.
March 4, 2026
I was disappointed in this American Girl book because it was too predictable. From the title you knew what was going to happen in the entire book as the story unraveled. I did appreciate some more complex vocabulary alongside the historical components of this book.
Rebecca wasn’t an American girl when I was growing up and loved these series. Were all of the books like this? Did I enjoy this simple and predictable literature? There’s more to be desired.
Rebecca wasn’t an American girl when I was growing up and loved these series. Were all of the books like this? Did I enjoy this simple and predictable literature? There’s more to be desired.
December 23, 2023
Okay, plot-wise this book and the one before it in the series were…a smidge unbelievable, but I’m really enjoying getting a look into the small details of what life in 1914 New York would've been like, especially the details of how a Jewish immigrant family life's could've been at the time - enough to overlook any qualms I have with the plot.
September 25, 2025
I didn't like it. Rebecca made mistakes, disobeyed, promises weren't kept by the parents, and no one was punished or learned their lesson for any of it. I was upset for most of the book, making all sorts of chipmunk noises to myself and anyone who'd listen.
There were a few redeeming things, mostly historical. That's where the second star came from.
There were a few redeeming things, mostly historical. That's where the second star came from.
June 23, 2021
Much better than the other ones. Maybe that's becuase I love amusement parks and their history.
May 22, 2022
Wasn't a fan of this one either. It's really just them going to Coney Island and that's pretty much it.
June 14, 2022
I almost cried reading the Bar Mitzvah scene. The artwork was definitely based on the Eldridge Street Synagogue.
April 25, 2023
Interesting book but there’s some suspension of disbelief required and again, disobeying instructions with a happy ending making it “okay."
December 19, 2023
Not a fan of the constant disobedience and secret keeping of this book and the last book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews