Special Collections
American Girl (Historical Fiction)
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Meet Kirsten
by Janet ShawNine-year-old Kirsten and her family experience many hardships as they travel from Sweden to the Minnesota frontier in 1854.
Rebecca and Ana
by Jacqueline Dembar GreeneRebecca can't wait to meet her cousin Ana. She's sure they'll be just like sisters. It's crowded with two families in one small apartment, but Rebecca is happy to share everything with Ana -- even her clothes!
At school, Rebecca is determined to help her cousin learn English, despite the other kids' teasing. But when the teacher tells her to include Ana in a special performance, Rebecca panics. Ana's broken English will ruin the show!
Rebecca realizes that the performance is one thing she does not want to share with her cousin. How can she explain this to Ana? Rebecca and Ana is the second in a series of beautifully illustrated books about growing up in New York City in 1914.
Rebecca and Ana is a children's book for children eight and up but adults can enjoy and learn something valuable from it as well. Rebecca and Ana is part of the Rebecca's six-book series. Each story in the series reveals more about Rebecca, a lively Jewish girl, who grows up in 1914 in New York. The books in the Rebecca series include: Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca. Every book of the series not only features a fictional, realistic story and illustrations, but also has a historical "Looking Back" section. In this "Looking Back" section, the author describes some of the historical characteristics of Rebecca's 1914 time period in a style which children can understand and adults can appreciate.
Rebecca and the Movies
by Jacqueline Dembar GreeneRebecca can hardly believe it when cousin Max invites her to visit his movie studio! Although her parents don't approve of actors or movies, Mama relents and says she may go.
At the studio, Rebecca meets the glamorous Lily, a real movie star. When the camera begins to roll, Rebecca knows she must sit quietly and watch. Suddenly, the director shouts "Cut!" -- and Rebecca finds herself facing an opportunity she never imagined in her wildest dreams.
Does she have the nerve for it? And what would her parents say if they knew?
Rebecca and the Movies is the fourth book in the Rebecca, American-Girls collection, six-book series. Each story in the series reveals more about Rebecca, a lively Jewish girl, who grows up in 1914 in New York. The books in the Rebecca series include: Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca. Every book of the series not only features a fictional, realistic story and has magnificent illustrations, the book also has a historical "Looking Back" section. In this "Looking Back" section, the author describes some of the historical characteristics of Rebecca's 1914 time period in a style which children can understand and adults can appreciate.
Candlelight for Rebecca
by Jacqueline Dembar GreeneRebecca's teacher, Miss Maloney, assigns the class to make Christmas decorations -- but Rebecca's family is Jewish and doesn't celebrate Christmas. Miss Maloney tells Rebecca that Christmas is a national holiday, for all Americans to celebrate.
Although her parents came from Russia, Rebecca knows she's as American as anyone else, even without celebrating Christmas. Could Miss Maloney be wrong?
Then, on the first night of Hanukkah, Rebecca finds kindness in an unexpected place -- and learns the real meaning of the holiday season.
Candlelight for Rebecca is a children's book for children eight and up but adults can enjoy and learn something valuable from it as well. Candlelight for Rebecca is the third book in the Rebecca's six-book series. Each story in the series reveals more about Rebecca, a lively Jewish girl, who grows up in 1914 in New York. The books in the Rebecca series include: Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca. Every book of the series not only features a fictional, realistic story and illustrations, but also has a historical "Looking Back" section. In this "Looking Back" section, the author describes some of the historical characteristics of Rebecca's 1914 time period in a style which children can understand and adults can appreciate.
Rebecca to the Rescue
by Jacqueline Dembar GreeneRebecca can't wait to try the games and rides at Coney Island. After a dip in the sea, she and cousin Ana set off, full of giggles and excitement.
The one thing dampening the fun is Rebecca's big brother, Victor -- if only he would stop being so bossy! Fuming, Rebecca resolves to show Victor that girls can do anything boys can do. When Victor and Ana's brothers laugh at her, she and Ana decide to go off on their own.
But now Ana is missing, and Rebecca hears fire alarm bells clanging. If anything has happened to Ana, Rebecca will never forgive herself.
Rebecca to the Rescue is a children's book for children eight and up but adults can enjoy and learn something valuable from it as well. This book is the fifth book in the Rebecca's six-book series. Each story in the series reveals more about Rebecca, a lively Jewish girl, who grows up in 1914 in New York. The books in the Rebecca series include: Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca. Every book of the series not only features a fictional, realistic story and illustrations, but also has a historical "Looking Back" section. In this "Looking Back" section, the author describes some of the historical characteristics of Rebecca's 1914 time period in a style which children can understand and adults can appreciate.
Changes for Rebecca
by Jacqueline Dembar GreeneRebecca thinks it's a grand idea to make a movie with her cousin Ana, but when gentle Ana plays the role of a cruel factory boss, the fun turns sour.
Later Rebecca goes to the factory where Ana's brother and father work, and she's horrified at the terrible conditions but she knows the workers desperately need their jobs.
There's got to be a way to make things better at the factory, and Rebecca is determined to do her part--even if it means marching straight into danger.
Changes for Rebecca is a children's book for children eight and up but adults can enjoy and learn something valuable from it as well. This book is the sixth book in the Rebecca's six-book series. Each story in the series reveals more about Rebecca, a lively Jewish girl, who grows up in 1914 in New York. The books in the Rebecca series include: Meet Rebecca, Rebecca and Ana, Candlelight for Rebecca, Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca. Every book of the series not only features a fictional, realistic story and illustrations, but also has a historical "Looking Back" section. In this "Looking Back" section, the author describes some of the historical characteristics of Rebecca's 1914 time period in a style which children can understand and adults can appreciate.
Samantha's Winter Party
by Valerie TrippWhen Samantha planned a party, she never planned on leaving her best friend, Nellie, out. Samantha and her friends plan a party with a gift exchange, but Nellie, a servant girl, doesn't have any money for presents. Find out how she still manages to surprise them all anyway. Includes a peek into the past and a craft activity.
Samantha Saves The Day
by Valerie TrippSamantha and her family are spending the summer at Piney Point, Grandmary's home in the mountains.
One day Samantha and the twins, Agnes and Agatha, find a sketchbook made by Samantha's mother. In it, Samantha sees a beautiful waterfall she had visited with her parents long ago, before they died in a boating accident.
Using the sketchbook as a map, Samantha and the twins set off. When their secret exploration puts them in the middle of a dangerous storm, Samantha must save the day.
Samantha Saves the Wedding
by Valerie TrippUncle Gard and Cornelia are getting married. Samantha vows she'll let nothing spoil Cornelia's day. When a disaster threatens to ruin the ceremony, Samantha has a plan that saves the wedding.
After you read Samantha's story, learn how to make a tussie-mussie just like the one Samantha carried in Cornelia's wedding.
Changes for Samantha
by Valerie TrippTimes change for Samantha when she moves to New York City to live with Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia. They change for Nellie, Samantha's servant friend in Mount Bedford, too.
But Nellie's changes aren't as happy as Samantha's and Nellie has to find work again. When her friend disappears, Samantha thinks Nellie has been lost forever, but after a long and scary search, Samantha finds Nellie in a New York orphanage.
The orphanage is not a good place for Nellie, so the girls plan a daring escape.
Molly Learns A Lesson
by Valerie TrippFrom the book: "When the teacher announces the Lend-a-Hand Contest to help the war effort, Molly is determined that the third grade girls will plan the winning project. Instead, they choose an idea that Molly knows will never work out. So she talks two friends into planning their own project and keeping it a secret from the rest of the girls in the class. But the secret project turns out to be harder than Molly thought it would be. She begins to worry that it might not win after all and decides to spy on the other girls to see how they are doing. When Molly and her friends get caught peeking in a window, they learn some important lessons."
Happy Birthday, Molly
by Valerie TrippAn English girl is coming to stay at the McIntires', and just in time for Molly's birthday! Molly and her friends are very excited, until Emily Bennett turns out to be quite different from the glamorous girl they pictured. Emily is shy, and she seems unfriendly.
Then Molly discovers that Emily is worried about her family in war-torn London, just as Molly is worried about her father, and the girls become good friends. They even plan to turn Molly's tenth birthday celebration into a real English tea party.
But the friendship starts to fall apart when they can't agree about what's important, and it takes a special birthday surprise to help them patch up their hurt feelings.
Molly's Surprise
by Valerie TrippThe McIntire family faces a disappointing Christmas. Dad is off at war in England, Molly's grandparents can't come for the holidays, and it looks like there won't be many exciting presents. Worst of all, the family hasn't heard from Dad for a long time, and they're worried.
But Molly decides they should make their own merry Christmas-a Christmas filled with the kind of unexpected surprises that Dad would make. Thanks to Molly, the best surprise of all is waiting for the McIntires on Christmas morning.
Molly and the Movie Star
by Valerie TrippMolly is eager to meet a famous movie star at a War Bond rally, until she cannot find the money that her class had collected to buy a bond. Includes information on movies during World War II and a recipe for popcorn.
Molly Takes Flight
by Valerie TrippWorld War II is changing everything in Molly's life, even Aunt Eleanor. Will anything ever be the same again?
Not only do girls get a story about their favorite American Girl, they also get an all-new historical picture essay and a step-by-step craft from the story.
Molly Saves the Day
by Valerie Tripp"Everyone loves Camp Gowonagin, but Molly loves it most of all. She spends two wonderful weeks there singing, hiking, canoeing, and making arts and crafts projects with her friends Linda and Susan.
When the camp director announces the beginning of Camp Gowonagin's Color War, Molly is afraid that the fun may end. Molly and Susan are on the Blue Team. They have to capture the flag hidden on Chocolate Drop Island by the Red Team. Linda is on the Red Team. She is their enemy and their friend.
Will the Color War ruin camp for everyone, or can Molly think of a way to save the day?"
Molly's A+ Partner
by Valerie TrippEveryone in Miss Campbell's class has to give a report on George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Molly is thrilled that her good friend Susan is her partner, until Susan insists on presenting the report by doing more than reading!
This book contains historical notes on George Washington and his time.
It ends with a delicious recipe for cherry cupcakes.
This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Other books about Molly are also available from Bookshare.
Kit's Story Collection (The American Girls Collection)
by Valerie TrippThis book contains: Meet Kit Kit Learns a Lesson Kit's Surprise Happy Birthday Kit! Kit Saves the Day Changes for Kit All of the books in this volume teach a different type of lesson while telling a fictional story based in a real time period. Also available from Bookshare: "Kit's Home Run."
Kirsten and The Chippewa
by Janet ShawWhen Kirsten Kirsten's dog is about to drown, a group of Indians rescue him for her. She had been frightened of the Ojibway, but she learns that they are friendly people. This book includes notes on the history relevant to this story and a good and easy recipe for Bird's nest Pudding. This is a wonderful book for a book report. This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Kirsten Learns a Lesson
by Janet ShawKirsten has a hard time in her new American school because she doesn't speak English very well. Miss Winston, her new teacher, is strict and not very understanding. Things get worse when Miss Winston comes to live with the Larson family. Kirsten's only escape is playing with her secret friend Singing Bird, the Indian girl. When Singing Bird suggests running away forever, Kirsten must decide where she belongs. Kirsten does learn some important lessons in school, but she learns something even more important about herself.
Changes for Kristen
by Janet ShawThe Minnesota winter is bitter cold. It seems very long to Kirsten and her family, who are crowded in their tiny log cabin. Kirsten looks forward to the days she's allowed outside to help her brother Lars with his trap line. One day she brings home a baby raccoon she's found in the woods, and trouble begins for Kirsten and her family. The raccoon gets loose and starts a fire that destroys the Larsons' home and everything in it. The future seems bleak, and the family is discouraged until Kirsten and Lars make a frightening but important discovery in the woods. What they find means better times for the Larsons
Kirsten's Surprise
by Janet ShawKirsten wants her first Christmas in America to be special for her family. She would like to recreate St. Lucia's Day, a tradition celebrated in Sweden on Christmas Eve. To do this she needs costumes from a trunk in another town. Will she convince her father to get the trunk even though it's a long journey by horse-drawn sleigh in the bitter cold?
Happy Birthday, Kirsten!
by Janet ShawExciting new things come to the Larsons' farm in Minnesota in the springtime-including a big new barn and a tiny new baby. But changes bring new worries and more work for Kirsten, too. First she is afraid for Mama's health. Then caring for a baby keeps her so busy that her life seems to be nothing but chores. Soon Kirsten doesn't even have time to help with the surprise she and her friends are planning for their teacher, Miss Winston. And when she has to miss school to help out at home, she worries that her friends will forget her. But Kirsten's hard work is rewarded, and her tenth birthday becomes a celebration of family and friendship.
Kirsten Saves the Day
by Janet Shaw"At last it's summer! Even Kirsten's chores, like going to the stream to catch fish for dinner, seem like play in the fine Minnesota weather. One day while she's fishing, Kirsten leaves the stream to explore the woods beyond the farm.
There she finds a treasure-a bee tree packed with honeycombs. Kirsten knows Papa could use the honey to trade for things the family needs. So she decides to surprise him by bringing the honey home. Kirsten needs help, so she asks her brother Peter to go with her. But they don't know that bears are after Kirsten's treasure, too."
Bookshare also has "Meet Kirsten," "Kirsten's Surprise," and "Kirsten Learns a Lesson."
This file should make a fine embossed braille copy.