Okay Doll Diaries readers, I need your input! My daughter is starting to read chapter books and really loves reading. She just finished one of the Tiara Club books (and loved it) and Junie B. Jones is just too easy for her. I suggested we start reading some of the American Girl stories and she is all for it.
What I want to know from you, is which American Girl stories do like best? Which ones are the easiest to start with? Are there any other chapter book series that you enjoyed when you were younger (or if you are a Mom like me, which ones do your kids prefer)?
We have a good assortment of the books already, I just would love some recommendations on your favorites.
I myself absolutely LOVED the “Samantha” stories. All of them are great but my personal favourite is “Nellie’s Promise” because it has such a happy ending.
Yeah,the Samantha ones are AMAZING! So are Kit’s and Julie’s. I wouldn’t suggest Josefina’s stories though, because I found it kinda dull and had a hard time paying attention when reading it in fifth grade (Yeah, I was a little older, but still)
Oh…I know so many good books from when I was that age…I’ll try to give you some of the more unheard of or unusual ones, otherwise my list would go on forever
.
-American Girl (really they are all excellent, my faves (VERY hard decision: Samantha, Molly, Felicity, Addy, just read them all!)
-Mr. Poppers Penguins (by Richard and Florence Atwater)
-B is for Besty (1st in series by Carolyn Haywood, I think out of print, GREAT series)
-Besty-Tacy (1st in an entirely different Besty series, her life from age 5 to marriage these may be too hard right now, but DEFINITELY something to look into, unfortuantely they are out of print)
-Childhood of Famous Americans (various authors, focus on lives of famous people as kids, just about anyone famous in history)
-Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
-Pony Pals series (Jeanne Betancourt, girls and horses, might be out of print though)
-Twig by Elizabeth Orton Jones
-The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth
-The Secret of the Attic (1st in Magic Attic Club series by Catherine Connor, out of print but SO SO good, comparable to AG books, but in modern times, they even made dolls and clothing to go with these books very similar to AG, anyone remember them? I couldn’t decide if I wanted an AG or a Magic Attic doll at the time, I guess they don’t make them any more though)
-Animal Ark series (Ben M. Baglio, for animal lovers)
-Cotton in my Sack, Strawberry Girl, Indian Captive or anybook by Lois Lenski (might a little too hard yet, some might be out of print, not sure, all VERY good, my fave was probably Cotton in my Sack, barely remember it now though, a girl who worked on a cotton plantation)
-The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett (too hard now, but you HAVE to read these two in a few years)
-Pippi Longstocking series, Children on Troublemaker Street series by Astrid Lindgren (absolutely loved both, but most only know of the Pippi series)
-The Pink Motel, Caddie Woodlawn and Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink (all out of print but Caddie Woodlawn, however Brink is an excellent author and definittely worth looking into, but again may be a little over her level right now. Pink Motel: family takes over a pink motel from a deceased relative, many unsual guests (Hilarious!) , something about a mystery with it too I think, Baby Island: two sisters shipwrecked on an island with four babies, Brink wrote several more books but I have not read them)
Ok, I think I better stop there, can you tell I love to read?
Samantha’s were the first ones that I ever read – and I always loved them the most!
I liked Josefina’s but they had a lot of Spanish words in them, so I wouldn’t suggest them for a younger child.
Also – my all time favorites are the “Little House” books!
I don’t know if they might be above her reading level or not, though. I starting reading them in second grade… 
I really like the Julie, kit, Felicity, Molly, and Samantha.
Julie. definitely.
My favorites are: Samantha, Addy, and Felicity, but I love all the AG books.
Kit and Ruthie is a pretty easy book. But if your daughter wants a really chalenging book, that would be Very Funny Elizabeth and Felicity.
woops! i spelled challenging wrong!
I really liked “Nellie’s Promise” and all the Samantha books…. I think that Samantha has some really good lessons, so I would say the Samantha Series, and then when your done if she wants to read more, get Nellie’s Promise.
Congrats to your daughter.
Sienna Amber
oh and non~american girl books
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, totally. These teach good lessons and are really funny! :0) I loved them when I was a kid….
BTW: my name is now the link to the petition
Jessica and Zoe: If you can, would you make a post with the link to the petition against AG retiring Sam and Nellie??? I’m sure you two have TONS of visitors to your site, and that is JUST what we need!!! If you can that would be a bundle of help!!!
~Sienna Amber~
P.S.: trying to get as many sigs as possible b/c in my latest email to ag they said “we will think about changing our decision” !!! yaya!!
Oh!!! The Felicity books DEFINITLY!!! You have fun reading, you can understand, and it teaches you SOO manyy things from history!! I enjoyed these books ALOT!!!
rainbow fairies By Daisy Meadow My little sister loves them
Ivy and Bean by ? (no Clue) I loved these books
The Penderwicks A little Challenging
I can’t say them all Sorry : (
I don’t really like the Julie books. Some of the best friend books are great. (Very Funny, Elizabeth; Nellie’s Promise; Really Truly Ruthie; Brave Emily; Good Luck Ivy) I also LOVE Kit’s stories. Those are my favorites.
ive read eversingle ag book goty and historical my fav goty was jess’s book it was exciting and cute my fave historical was either elizabeths or julies ruthies was good but too short
but i liked kits best
I sent this to Ag im waiting for them to respond:
Dear American Girl,
First of all I’d like to say how much I love American Girl dolls and how inspiring and helpful their stories are. Reading American Girl doll books powered my love of reading. (most of them I’ve read twice!) When I heard you were retiring Samatha, I got a little teary, see now I’m thirteen and Samatha was my first doll. My mother even loves Samatha. Now I know there must be many important reasons why you are retiring Samatha, she may not be selling and there is the economic crisis that is taking place, but I urge you not to do so. Firstly, Samatha inspired me to help others and be a good friend. Her outfits are beautiful like she is, but it’s more than that. I live in a very close knitted neighborhood and the little girls I know babysit (thanks to American girl babysitting guide for help!) love to play with American girl dolls, they are finally old enough and now they will not be able to experience Samatha like I did. Samatha’s stories aren’t enough she shouldn’t be remembered through her books infact she shouldn’t have to be remembered at all. I think you should keep Samatha, don’t just keep her stories alive but her beauty and old fashioned apparel too. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Can’t you see from all the letters about Samatha on her farewell part of the site how much we all love her, can’t you see how horrible it would be to get rid of her? Please American Girl let Samatha’s legend live on, let millions of other girls experience Samatha like I did. Thanks you, I know you will do what’s right because American Girl is a wonderful company fueling the growth and spirit of millions no billions of girls.
Eaily the Samantha stories were our best. But please visit our blog under my daughter’s book reviews section – she is an avid reader. Her favorites (and she’s written reviews) are A Wrinkle in Time, The Secret Garden, A Dog Called Kitty and FireStar’s Quest (part of the Warrior Cat series).
hi im 12 years old and i have all of the american girl dolls. In my opinion
(ive read all the books) and i think the easiest books to read are the molly series. theyre good to. the best books are the samantha and felicity books.
all of these ag books ROCK, but the goty nicki book should inspire a young reader to become more responsible. mia’s will teach determination, and samantha’s teach generosity. kit’s teach that people dont get everything they want in life. so, pick any! ( i luvveed junie b. when i was little lol)
I think she should start out with the Samantha stories. They are my favorite- and she reaches out to a friend in need. All the AG books are good, and so are the best friend books. Then, maybe later on, she could read the mysteries. Really, any American Girl books. But I recommend starting with Samantha. Good luck
These are all great suggestions! Keep the input coming!!
Ashleigh, GREAT letter. Hopefully more people will follow your example (like me! but not tonight, just got back home from two soccer games and am exhausted).
Sienna- No problem! I would be more than happy to add this to our site! Thanks a bundle
I LOVE the new site design, Char!
Hey girls – there is a $10 of a purchase of $30 or more code out n about!
Hey girls – there is a $10 of a purchase of $30 or more code out n about! (For the AG website)
whoops – I double posted!
I worte that long letter and all Ag said was we have to make room for more historical characters thanks for answering me question ugg thanks alicia! i loved nickis books but my fav were jess
hey char when i go on the forum to post it says this: Information
You cannot read posts in this forum.
Are you logged in when you are trying to read them?
My favorite stories are, Molly’s and Kit’s. The Molly books have really sweet stories about family and getting through in World Two. These books really teach you about World War Two and all the rations they had to do. They also have some funny parts too!
Kit’s teach a lot about the Great Depression and how they were happy with what they had. They also show about how resourceful people were during that time. You can really see all the great things Kit and her family do in Happy Birthday Kit.
I also like Samantha too! My favorite books from her are, Changes for Samantha, Happy Birthday Samantha, and Nelli’s Promise.
yes i am logged in
Asheleigh – sometimes my computer will log me out w/out my even knowing it. Maybe this is what happend.
Char, at that age my personal opinion is for you to introduce your daughter to Kirsten’s series. They will make you laugh and cry!!!Also, the level is probably for 3rd graders. It has beautiful pictures too!!!!!
I personally love the Molly, Samntha and Kit series. They were all great books and inspiring. I totally would reccomend them to your daughter.
Hi, does anyone here know how wide an AG doll’s eyes are? Thanks!
I heard about this fascinating Barbie exhibition that is coming to the Gepp’s Entertainment Museum…50 fashionable years will be remembered…A half century of dream houses, sports cars, shifting fashions and hairstyles….check out the website for more details… http://baltimore.org/events/id/864... The exhibition is running from December 20 through May 31, 2009.
I would suggest the ” Samantha” and “Molly” series for your daughter. Don’t start with the ” Josephina” and ” Kaya” series; they are a bit hard to understand!
the kirsten books are really good! and i have read all the samantha books and they’re amazing!
i would reccomend the kit books 4 ag,and 4 non-ag,id say a little princess,heidi,little house,ramona quimby,matilda,and babymouse!
also 4 ag,samantha and kirsten’s are really good! and i LOVE very funny elizabeth!4 non-ag, junie b. , rainbow magic,babymouse and one that i totally loved in fourth and fifth grade is Judy Moody!
hi! i have some more suggestions- meet josefina(you might need 2 help her with the occasional spanish words!),really truly ruthie,chrissa,kailey and meet samantha and nellie’s promise.Also,the raggedy ann storis are adorable,but they might be too easy,allie finkle is good.too!