The American Girl Book Characters
Ten Historical American Girls Learn Timeless Lessons
The American Girl books feature ten inquisitive, courageous girls who live in important historic times and places in American history. Most of the girl’s series follows the same naming pattern, and each book series follows the titular girl through about a year and a half of her life as she learns timeless lessons.
Kaya (1764)
By Janet Beeler Shaw (2002). Kaya is a Nez Perce Native American living in what would later become the state of Idaho. Her name is short for Kaya’aton’my, “She Who Arranges Rocks.” She lives with her parents, grandparents, and siblings, including an adopted deaf sister. Her books were the first to diverge from the formulaic naming: Meet Kaya, Kaya’s Escape!, Kaya’s Hero, Kaya and Lone Dog, Kaya Shows the Way, and Changes for Kaya.
Felicity Merriman (1774)
By Valerie Tripp (1991). Felicity Merriman is a colonial girl living in Williamsburg, Virginia, with her parents and siblings. She has to deal with issues of American identity and loyalty at the start of the American Revolution. Her books follow the usual naming pattern: Meet Felicity, Felicity Learns a Lesson, Felicity’s Surprise, Happy Birthday, Felicity!, Felicity Saves the Day, and Changes for Felicity. Her best friend Elizabeth Cole has her own book, Very Funny, Elizabeth!
Josefina Montoya (1824)
By Valerie Tripp (1997). Josefina Montoya is a Mexican girl living in Santa Fe before New Mexico becomes part of the United States. She lives with her widowed father, three older sisters, and aunt. These books have some Spanish words and a glossary.
Kirsten Larson (1854)
By Janet Beeler Shaw (1986). Kirsten Larsen emigrates from Sweden to the Minnesota Territory with her parents and brothers to live on a farm with her uncle and his family. She struggles with frontier life, American culture, and trying to learn English.
Addy Walker (1864)
By Connie Porter (1993). Addy Walker escapes on the Underground Railroad with her mother from North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout the series she waits for the end of the Civil War so that she can be reunited with the rest of her family.
Samantha Parkington (1904)
By Susan S. Adler (1986). Samantha Parkington is an orphan raised by her wealthy grandmother during the Victorian/Edwardian era. She learns about women’s suffrage and the problems with child labor. Her best friend, Nellie O’Malley, has her own book, Nellie’s Promise.
Rebecca Rubin (1914)
By Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009). Rebecca Rubin is a Russian-Jewish girl living in New York City. Her parents and grandparents emigrated from Russia and try to keep their old values, culture, and religion alive in Rebecca and her four siblings while they try to assimilate to a new American way of life. Rebecca’s books are Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca.
Kit Kittredge (1934)
By Valerie Tripp (2000). Margaret “Kit” Kittredge lives with her family in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the Great Depression. She learns how to work hard and make the best of things when her father loses his job. Her best friend, Ruthie Smithens, has her own book, Really Truly Ruthie.
Molly McIntire (1944)
By Valerie Tripp (1986). Molly McIntire lives with her mother and brothers in Illinois while her doctor father is stationed overseas during World War II. Her family also takes in a young English girl, Emily Bennett, who has her own book, Brave Emily.
Julie Albright (1974)
By Megan McDonald (2007). Julie Albright lives in San Francisco and she and her sister deal with such issues as their parents’ divorce, feminism, and environmentalism. Her books are Meet Julie, Julie Tells Her Story, Happy New Year, Julie!, Julie and the Eagles, Julie’s Journey, and Changes for Julie. Julie’s best friend, Chinese-American Ivy Ling, has her own book, Good Luck, Ivy.
Julie Albright Is the Most Modern American Girl
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