Felicity's Surprise: A Christmas Story (American Girls Collection) [Hardcover]

Valerie Tripp (Author), Luann Roberts (Illustrator), Johnston (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: American Girls Collection

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Christmas in Williamsburg means a dancing party at the Governor's Palace for Felicity, but her mother becomes very ill and cannot finish the special blue gown.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- Felicity is a nine-year-old living in Williamsburg in 1774. The first book concerns lessons in gentlewomanly comportment; although she initially expresses a desire to learn Latin, Greek, philosophy, and geography, one look at Mrs. Manderly's tea service is enough to win her over completely to lessons in the social graces. Her enjoyment runs up against her father's decision not to sell tea in his shop until the hated tax is repealed. Felicity's Surprise revolves around the creation of a new gown to wear to the governor's palace two weeks after Christmas. Whether or not to attend is the first battle of conscience, as Felicity's father's business has suffered since he sided with those opposed to the king's tax. Her mother's illness, however, temporarily drives away all thoughts of the party. A ``Peek into the Past'' section concludes each volume. The characterizations are superficial and the background information and historical detail frequently overwhelm all else. The illustrations are colorful, but figures are awkwardly depicted. Purchase where the series is popular; those who didn't buy early volumes may safely skip these undistinguished offerings as well. --Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 69 pages
• Publisher: Pleasant Company Publications (September 1991)
• ISBN-10: 1562470094
• ISBN-13: 978-1562470098
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,001,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Christmas Story, March 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Felicity's Surprise (American Girl Collection) (Paperback)

The Christmas story is about a young girl growing up in colonial times. Felicity is extremely excited about her invitation to attend a dancing lesson at the Governor's Palace. It is every young girls dream to be there, and Felicity has received this wonderful honor. Felicity wants the most beautiful dress to wear, like the one on her fashion doll. Knowing how much it costs and that her family is very poor she wants it anyway. Her mother promises Felicity the dress. The plan was for her mother to make the gown by hand. However Felicity's mother become very ill. Felicity is worried that her dress will not be completed on time, and she is ashamed for being disappointed about the dress when her mom is sick. On the night of the dance when Felicity has come to realize that she would not go her mother gives her a wonderful surprise. She had found strength to finish the dress that was her daughters Christmas wish. Felicity is the most beautiful girl at the party and realizes that dreams do come true.
I believe that Tripp gave a wonderful representation of that the colonial times was like. She represented Felicity very realistically. Any girl in her palace would be disappointed if she could not go to the party, yet feel a sad burden that the mother is sick as well. Felicity hoped for a miracle simply that her mother would get better not even thinking of her own wish for a completed dress and ended up getting both wishes.
I loved the American Girl books growing up specifically Felicity's stories. I am amazed that Tripp can grab children's attention book after book. And you learn so much about the time period in the process of reading. I enjoyed reading this book again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Book!, May 13, 2000

By 

An 11-year old reader (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Felicity's Surprise (American Girl Collection) (Paperback)

I read this book because I was learning about the American Revolution in class. This is a very touching book that anyone can enjoy. Learn about Felicity's dream doll at the store that she wished to get, the dance she was invited to by the mayor, the disease that her mother had. I really enjoyed this book because of the wonderfully illustrated pictures and the great story. In fact, all of the Felicity books are "da bomb"!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, as Usual, February 21, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Felicity's Surprise (American Girl Collection) (Paperback)

American Girl books are great, this one included. Felicity's fear when her mother becomes sick let us realize how feelings for what is really important to us - family members, a feeling of security, friendship - haven't change a lot since Revolutionary days, both in America and worldwhile. What changes is how we live the everyday life - we drive cars and not carts, at school we learn science and not how to serve tea... Just one question, how long will we have to wait for a Native American Girl, and for a Jewish American Girl?