Josefina's Surprise (American Girls Collection) [Paperback]

Valerie Tripp (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: American Girls Collection

Josefina hopes her family will have a happy Christmas, although she knows they will miss Mamá. When she and her sisters discover that the Christmas altar cloth Mamá embroidered has been damaged, they are heartbroken. But T'a Dolores finds a way to help the sisters' hearts begin to mend. As the villagers gather to celebrate the Christmas tradition called Las Posadas, Josefina finds that memories can bring comfort and courage. Christmas Eve is filled with surprises that make Josefina's heart sing.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: American Girl; First Edition, Ex-Library edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562475193
• ISBN-13: 978-1562475192
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #581,066 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 A story of a girl living in 1824 New Mexicao., September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Josefina's Surprise (American Girls Collection) (Paperback)

Josefina Montoya is a nine-year-old girl growing up on her family's rancho near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1824. Mama died last year, and since then, life for Josefina, her father, and her older sisters, Ana, Clara, and Francisca. Even though things have been better since Mama's sister, Tia Dolores, came to help out, the Montoyas still grieve. Josefina feels that celebrating the Christmas traditions will make her miss Mama more - but they bring her peace and happiness. And one special night gives Josefina courage and hope for the future, and brings Josefina an unexpected gift. This book was very good and I learned a lot about the traditions of Mexican families living on the Southwest frontier in the 1820s.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Josefina Story!, October 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Josefinas Surprise- Hc Book (American Girl) (Hardcover)

Josefina and her sisters, Ana, Francisca and Clara are struggling to keep the Christmas alive after Mamå's death. Every year when a girl would turn eight they would recieve the Nina doll. But when Josefina turned 8 they forgot about the tradition since Mama had just died. But this Christmas Josefina is 9 and she wants the doll. But Clara doesn't want to give the doll up since she wants to remember her mother. Then when the doll is lost Josefina just gives up hope but Christmas Eve is always filled with love and surprises.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, with some excellent lessons, September 24, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Josefina's Surprise (American Girls Collection) (Paperback)

This is another book in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. In this book, Josefina and her sisters prepare for Christmas, a grand celebration in New Mexico, made all the more special by the towns use of the Christmas altar cloth made by Josefina's late mother. However, when the altar cloth is brought it, they find out that the flood (Josefina Learns a Lesson) damaged the cloth. The girls rally round to fix the cloth...and perhaps fix themselves at the same time.

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at Christmas in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' excellent illustrations complement the story nicely, and add a great deal to the joy of reading this book.

This is a wonderful story, with some excellent lessons. I liked the way the family pulled together, and worked hard towards something beyond themselves. Also, I like how the family's religion is worked into the book in a warm and inspiring way. This is another excellent American Girls book, one that my daughter and I recommend to you.