Meet Kirsten

Meet Kirsten

Author: Janet Shaw

ISBN: 0937295795

Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc, 1990

Age: 9-12

Genre: Historical fiction

Summary: Kirsten Larson and her family arrive in America in the summer of 1854, after a long and dangerous journey on a small ship.  Everything in the new land is different from the small village Kirsten left behind in Sweden.  The way people dress, how they talk, and the ways they travel all seem strange to her.  Will she ever feel at home in this new place?  Getting lost in a big city and parting with her best friend make her wonder.  It is only when the Larson’s arrive at a tiny farm on the edge of the frontier that Kirsten believes Papa’s promise – America will be a land filled with opportunity for them all.

Read A-likes: Kirsten Saves the Day; Happy Birthday, Kirsten; Changes for Kirsten; Meet Molly; and Meet Samantha.

Personal Thoughts: This book is the first in the Meet Kirsten set of books in the American Girl series.  These books are incredibly popular amongst tween girls, and were some of my favorites as a young girl.  I read all of them multiple times, and have shared them with other girls over the years.  They are an easy read, but also teach good lessons in a non-threatening amusing way.