Kirsten Learns a Lesson (American Girl) [Paperback]

Janet Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1988 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: American Girl

Kirsten starts school in America, but she doesn't speak English very well. Miss Winston, her new teacher, is strict and not very understanding. Things get worse when Miss Winston comes to live with the Larson family. Kirsten's only escape is playing with her secret friend, Singing Bird. When Singing Bird suggests running away forever, Kirsten must decide where she belongs. Kirsten does learn some important lessons in school, but she learns something even more important about herself.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: American Girl (March 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937295108
• ISBN-13: 978-0937295106
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #713,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kirsten Learns a Lesson (American Girl) (Paperback)

This is a sweet tale about a little pioneer girl named Kirsten who is a Swedish immigrant and has a little difficulty speaking English- which gets trouble from her tough teacher. Things worsen as the teacher moves in with her aunt and uncle who Kirsten's family lives near and eats supper with every night. Kirsten finds her solace by running into the woods to play with her secret friend, a young Indian girl named Singing Bird. Everything in this book is great- from the stern but kindly teacher, to the friendship with the Indian girl.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book, November 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Kirsten Learns a Lesson (American Girl) (Paperback)

This book teaches you that you can be friends with people even if they speak another language. I've read every Kirsten book and this is one of the best!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone Smiles in The Same Language, June 14, 2009

By 

Robin Orlowski "political activist" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kirsten Learns a Lesson: A School Story (American Girl) (Hardcover)

One of the 'pioneer' American Girls who was available with the original series, Kirsten Larson teaches her readers the importance of tolerance and cross-cultural understanding.

Despite being immigrants to America, and experiencing hardship as they adjust to their new country and a new school, the Larson's also are suspicious of other people not looking exactly 'look like them'.

But Singing Bird and her tribe teach Kirsten that civilization has nothing to do with skin pigmentation. It has much more to do with how you treat others.

Her father, the chief, is portrayed as a smart and capable man. Realizing that his daughter is picking up information from the outside, he wants to discover who is responsible for this. He wants to ensure that Kirsten Larson is a good person who will not hurt his daughter or the tribe. Seeing this, he welcomes her as a friend of the community, even providing an Indian name.

American Girl has undergone many changes since it's initial founding. And she is not my 'favorite' doll. But this part of her story has remained my favorite. It intentionally reminds the audience that people have more in common with each other than we have differences.