Meet Kaya (American Girl) [Paperback]

Janet Shaw (Author), Jodi Goldberg (Editor), Bill Farnsworth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: American Girl

Kaya dreams of racing her beautiful mare Steps High. Her father warns her that the horse isn't ready, but when a pesky boy insults Steps High, Kaya accepts his challenge to race. As they ride, Kaya loses sight of her little brothers. Her carelessness earns her a nickname that her friends won't let her forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The American Girls Collection welcomes a new character: Kaya, a member of the Nez Perce tribe. Billed as the "first" American Girl, Kaya's story takes place in 1764, before European-Americans made their way to the Pacific Northwest. The series, written in consultation with the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, includes six titles by Janet Shaw, illus. by Bill Farnsworth. The first, Meet Kaya, introduces Kaya as she and her horse take part in a dangerous bareback race and she leaves her twin brothers unattended. The boys wander off, and Kaya faces punishment by her people. Kaya's Escape!; Kaya's Hero; Kaya and Lone Dog; Kaya Shows the Way; and Changes for Kaya will be released simultaneously. Each contains a "Looking Back" section, with photographs, that provides historical details about the Nez Perce tribe.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Janet Shaw's Kaya's Escape!

Gr. 3-5. In 1764, nine-year-old Kaya lives in the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce tribe (present-day Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) with her parents, siblings, and Speaking Rain, a blind girl. In Meet Kaya, she neglects her duties and, when the other children find out, she wonders if she will ever live it down. In Kaya's Escape, Kaya and Speaking Rain are captured and taken to an enemy's camp. Determined to escape, Kaya struggles to make it home through the bitter winter weather without supplies. Nez Perce words are used throughout both stories, and a glossary is appended. A closing section in both titles provides cultural and historical information as well as pictures of the Nimiipuu, known today as the Nez Perce. The editorial staff of Pleasant Company worked with the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Council to create an advisory board that supervised all aspects of the project, including the decision to set the story before contact with white explorers and settlers. Both historically accurate and culturally sensitive, Kaya's stories are welcome additions to this publisher's output and a noteworthy result of a unique collaboration. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: American Girl (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584854235
• ISBN-13: 978-1584854234
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans
  • #88 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, excellent illustrations, November 29, 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: Meet Kaya (American Girl) (Paperback)

This is the first book in the American Girls series about Kaya'aton'my', a nine-year-old Native-American girl growing up among the Nez Perce people in 1764. In this book, we meet Kaya, who is so proud of her horse. However, when Kaya leaves her little brothers (whom she is supposed to be watching) to race, she lands all of the children in trouble. And now, having earned the nickname of Magpie (a thoughtless bird), she finds that she has a lot to learn. But, seeking to help those around her, Kaya sets out to be a better person.

My daughter loves Kaya, and really enjoyed this book. The story was good (if a little unfocused), and the illustrations excellent. Unlike most other American Girls, Kaya's religion is alive for her and part of her life, which makes me wonder why they didn't do this for the others. Anyway, my daughter and I bother liked this book, and highly recommend it to you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kaya Series, November 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Meet Kaya (American Girl) (Paperback)

American Girl Series

Are you looking for a book that takes you on adventures? Well if you are, the American Girl series is a great place to start!
The books are about nine to eleven year old girls. They take you back in time as late as the 1700s. They let you learn about different cultures and about what a girl's life was like back then. If you are dieing for a great book, choose a book from the American Girl series.

Rebecca, 9
Cunniff Elementary School
Watertown, MA

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kaya, An American Girl, February 12, 2006

By 

Melissa S. Durham (Yosemite, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meet Kaya (American Girl) (Paperback)

This is the only book from the American Girl Collection that I have read. It is about Kaya, an adventurous Nez Perce girl who finds it hard not to boast about her horse, Steps High. Kaya wants to be the best horsewoman in the villiage. The boasting ends up putting her, her horse, and twin brothers in danger. Kaya (and her friends) are then given a punishment for Kaya's deed. She is then given a terrible nickname and wonders when she will ever live it down.
I really enjoyed learning about Kaya's life and the Nez Perce Indians. This book collection would be a great way to get girls / students interested in American history. Because the Nimiipuu speak the Nez Perce language, you will see Nez Perce words in the book. The pronunciations and meansing (also pictures) of these words are found in the glossary. My favorite part was the "Looking Back, A Peek Into the Past" sectino. This gives the reader actual history of the Nez Perce Indians and where they are today.