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American Girl: Short Stories book cover 1
American Girl: Short Stories book cover 2
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American Girl: Short Stories
Series · 32
books · 1999-2003

Books in series

Felicity's New Sister book cover
#1

Felicity's New Sister

1999

Although she is tired of the responsibility of being the oldest sister, Felicity realizes how much her family means to her when a carriage accident puts her pregnant mother in danger
A Reward for Josefina book cover
#2

A Reward for Josefina

1999

When the entire family goes into the hills to collect pine nuts, Josefina hopes to find the most in order to make Tia Dolores proud of her, but it takes the help of a squirrel for Josephina to get her reward.
Kirsten on the Trail book cover
#3

Kirsten on the Trail

1999

In Kirsten on the Trail, Kirsten's secret Indian friend returns. When Mama finds out about Singing Bird, she forbids Kirsten to play with her. But when Kirsten's little brother, Peter, gets lost in the woods, Kirsten knows just whom to call on for help.
High Hopes for Addy book cover
#4

High Hopes for Addy

1999

In High Hopes for Addy, Addy's hopes seems shattered. Her baby sister, Esther, messes up all of her things, including her kite for the kite festival. Then, with Esther's help, Addy discovers just what it takes to make kites fly and dreams soar. After you read Addy's story, learn how to make a kite like the one Addy and her family made.
Samantha's Winter Party book cover
#5

Samantha's Winter Party

1999

When Samantha planned a party, she never planned on leaving her best friend, Nellie, out. In Samantha's Winter Party, Samantha and her friends plan a party with a gift exchange. But Nellie can't afford to buy presents. Find out how Nellie manages to surprise them anyway! \—- After you read Samantha's story, learn how to make snow candles just like Samantha and Nellie might have made. \-from the back cover Also includes a section on ice skating in the early 1900s.
Molly Takes Flight book cover
#6

Molly Takes Flight

1999

World War Two is changing everything in Molly's life. First Dad left for England, and now Aunt Eleanor plans to join the WASPs—the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. In Molly Takes Flight, Molly longs for something that won't change, like the North Star shining at the end of the Little Dipper. After you read Molly's story, learn how to make your own stargazer, just like Molly might have made.
Felicity's Dancing Shoes book cover
#7

Felicity's Dancing Shoes

2000

Felicity discovers the secret to graceful dancing after she borrows her sister Nan's pretty-but painful-shoes.
Again, Josefina! book cover
#8

Again, Josefina!

2000

Nineyearold Josefina wants to give up learning to play the piano until she sees how much joy her music gives to her baby nephew, in a new American Girls title which discusses the importance of music on the New Mexican frontier and describes how to dance La Vaquerita.
Kirsten and the New Girl book cover
#9

Kirsten and the New Girl

2000

Kirsten is jealous of a new girl at school. But then she finds that she and Nora have more in common than she had wanted to believe.
Addy's Little Brother book cover
#10

Addy's Little Brother

2000

After her brother joins the family in Philadelphia at the end of the Civil War, Addy wants to be with him as much as possible, so she is jealous when he starts spending time with her friend's cousin.
Samantha Saves the Wedding book cover
#11

Samantha Saves the Wedding

2000

When Cornelia's veil is ruined on the day of her wedding ceremony in 1904, nineyearold Samantha comes to the rescue, in a new American Girls story which includes information on wedding customs in the early 1900s and instructions for making a bridesmaid bouquet.
Molly and the Movie Star book cover
#12

Molly and the Movie Star

2000

Few children's book series can match the runaway success of the American Girls Short Stories. In one year we've sold nearly 2 million copies of these perfectly pocket-sized (4 1/2" x 6") hardcover books featuring the adventures of the American Girls. Full-color illustrations, a historical picture essay, and directions for a craft project in every book make these an incredible value at just $3.95 each.Molly's class chooses her to give their War Bond money to a famous movie star. But her big idea for presenting it is almost a disaster.
Felicity Takes a Dare book cover
#13

Felicity Takes a Dare

2001

In Felicity Takes a Dare, it's the day of Williamsburg's town fair. Felicity has waited all winter to enjoy the music and dancing, to watch the races and contests, and, most of all, to see the racehorses. Felicity is sure it will be a day that she will never forget. Unfortunately, she's right. After you read Felicity's story, learn how to play quoits, a game Felicity might have played at the town fair.
Josefina's Song book cover
#14

Josefina's Song

2001

On a visit to the family's shepherd camp in the mountains, a sudden storm puts Papa in danger. Can Josefina get them both to safety?
Kirsten Snowbound book cover
#15

Kirsten Snowbound

2001

Kirsten and her cousins look after the farm while the adults go to town. There's plenty of work to do, but it seems easy to Kirsten—until a blizzard hits!
Addy's Wedding Quilt book cover
#16

Addy's Wedding Quilt

2001

Addy's parents renew their vows with a church wedding in freedom. Addy can't wait—until Harriet makes fun of her wedding present and her family's past.
Samantha and the Missing Pearls book cover
#17

Samantha and the Missing Pearls

2001

When her friend Nellie is suspected of stealing Mrs. Van Sicklen's black pearls at Christmastime, Samantha helps her discover where they really went.
Molly Marches On book cover
#18

Molly Marches On

2001

Molly wants to be the first to find a surprise at the end of the nature hike at her camp. When she ventures off the trail, she finds a secret surprise of her own.
Felicity Discovers a Secret book cover
#19

Felicity Discovers a Secret

2002

In 1774 Williamsburg, Virginia, Felicity helps the irritable Mrs. Burnie do laundry and learns a secret that seems to explain her behavior. Includes notes on the history of eyeglasses and instructions for making a pair of lorgnettes, glass lenses attached to elegant handles.In 1774 Williamsburg, Virginia, Felicity helps the irritable Mrs. Burnie do laundry and learns a secret that seems to explain the woman's behavior, in a book that also discusses the history of eyeglasses.
Just Josefina book cover
#20

Just Josefina

2002

Josefina's grandparents from Santa Fe come to visit—and they bring Tia Delores with them. She is excited to see them, but trying to please her own new ways with her grandmother's old ways may be tough. Illustrations.
Kirsten and the Chippewa book cover
#21

Kirsten and the Chippewa

2002

The Larsons receive a surprise visit from Chippewa Indians. At first, Kirsten is afraid of them, but she soon needs help with her dog Caro, and the Chippewa are there to help. Illustrations.
Addy Studies Freedom book cover
#22

Addy Studies Freedom

2002

The war has ended, and Addy is working on an essay about freedom. When President Lincoln is shot, Addy fears freedom will never really come. But as she waits in line with Poppa to see Lincoln's body, Addy learns what freedom is really about. After you read Addy's story, take a presidential quiz to learn more about Abraham Lincoln.
Samantha's Blue Bicycle book cover
#23

Samantha's Blue Bicycle

2002

Gard and Cornelia are back from their honeymoon—and they've brought a surprise for Samantha. Illustrations.
Kit's Home Run book cover
#24

Kit's Home Run

2002

Kit plays baseball under the disapproving eye of Mrs. Howard, who doesn't think she is much of a team player. But when Kit needs help, she may have to learn what team work really is. Illustrations.
Molly's A+ Partner book cover
#25

Molly's A+ Partner

2002

Molly and Susan pair up to write a report about George Washington. When they start to disagree on the report, Molly thinks their grade—and their friendship—might be doomed. Luckily, Susan has a few surprises up her sleeve. After you read Molly's story, make cherry cupcakes, just as Molly might have done to celebrate Washington's birthday.
Kaya and the River Girl book cover
#26

Kaya and the River Girl

2003

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?
Thanks to Josefina book cover
#27

Thanks to Josefina

2003

In 1824 New Mexico, Josefina and her sisters argue as they weave, until Josefina thinks of a way to make their work more fun, in a story that includes historical notes on blanket weaving in New Mexico in 1824.
Kirsten's Promise book cover
#28

Kirsten's Promise

2003

Kirsten's Promise is a powerful story about Kirsten's encounter with a little boy, Ezra, who's living out of an overturned wagon. Thinking that his mother will soon return, Kirsten promises not to tell anyone about the boy or the wagon. But as the days pass and the weather grows colder, Kirsten has to decide whether she can better help the boy by keeping her promise to him, or breaking it. After reading the story, girls can read about wagon trains like the one that Ezra and his mother planned to join, and can make a flower crown like those made by children traveling across the prairie in the 1850s.
Addy's Summer Place book cover
#29

Addy's Summer Place

2003

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. At Cape Island, New Jersey, Addy eats at an ice cream parlor and feels very grown-up. But when a white girl is unfriendly with her, Addy wonders whether she is really ready to be a young lady.
Samantha's Special Talent book cover
#30

Samantha's Special Talent

2003

Samantha organizes a talent show to raise money for a new roof for the library. She's too busy organizing to come up with an act of her own. But when the curtains come down, Samantha recognizes her own special talent at last.
Kit's Tree House book cover
#31

Kit's Tree House

2003

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. Kit dreams of a tree house high in the branches of the backyard tree. When Dad and Stirling surprise her with a real tree house, her dream seems to have come true at last—or has it? Only Kit can decide.
Molly's Puppy Tale book cover
#32

Molly's Puppy Tale

2003

In 1945, ten-year-old Molly does not want to share her puppy Bennett with her brother but finds she might need to change her mind.

Authors

Sarah Masters Buckey
Sarah Masters Buckey
Author · 15 books
Sarah Masters Buckey was raised in New Jersey and lived in Texas for 15 years. Sarah was nominated for the Agatha Award in 2008 for A Thief in the Theater and in 2005 for The Curse of Ravenscourt. She was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2007 for The Stolen Sapphire.
Connie Rose Porter
Connie Rose Porter
Author · 15 books

Connie Rose Porter is an American author best known for her books for children and young adults. She was the third youngest of nine children of a family living in a housing project. She has since taught English and creative writing at Milton Academy, Emerson College, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She was a fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and was a regional winner in Granta's Best Young American Novelist contest.

Valerie Tripp
Valerie Tripp
Author · 91 books

Valerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series. She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College. Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.

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American Girl: Short Stories