Customer Reviews

Rebecca Boxed Set (American Girl)

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3 star:		(1)
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I was an "Original" American Girl fan--I was about 7 when the dolls and books first arrived, and I have been a big fan ever since. So when the company introduced Rebecca, I knew I had to read the books, even though I'm 27 and well beyond the age of their target audience!
Rebecca Rubin is a 9 year old Russian Jewish immigrant who lives with her parents, twin sisters, two brothers and grandparents in New York City's lower East Side. The six book series covers her cousin's arrival to America; Rebecca's adventures in school; the problems of assimilation (can Rebecca make a Christmas wreath with the rest of her class?); her dreams of being a movie actress like her cousin Max, and more.
The books are all beautifully illustrated and come with a "looking back" section at the end of the story, which talks about what America was like during that specific time period. This section is also well-illustrated and very informative, without being too much like a textbook.
Great reads for girls (and boys) of all ages. Highly recommended.

The American Girl Company has launched numerous dolls with accompanying books about the character. The newest addition is Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl growing up on the Lower East Side of New York in 1914. Each of the books is rich in detail and offers historical information at the end of each story. Rebecca is a likeable girl, with goals, dreams, and real flaws. Rebecca is a sympathetic character whose struggles are universal and timeless. Her family is proudly Jewish. The author does an excellent job of creating realistic situations that honor the traditional Jewish values of the grandparents, as well as the more modern lifestyle of the younger family members. Readers will also learn about significant historical events such as immigration and the creation of unions and labor laws, as seen through the eyes of Rebecca. Colorful settings such as Coney Island, the busy streets of the Lower East Side, and a movie set from the early 1900's, add interest and appeal. The Rebecca series will be adored by elementary age girls, both Jewish and not. The mass appeal of the American Girl collection will introduce countless readers to the traditions and history of Jews in America. Like the All-of-a-Kind Family series, the Rebecca books will give Jewish girls much to be proud of. Although each of the books does stand alone, it is best to read them in sequence, they include:
Meet Rebecca
Ana and Rebecca
Candlelight for Rebecca
Rebecca and the Movies
Rebecca to the Rescue
Changes for Rebecca
Barbara Bietz

I love reading these books with my daughter! They seem pretty accurate, and they make me feel as if I am visiting my grandmother (who was a Jewish immigrant from Poland).
The characters are easy to relate to, and the storyline makes the past relevant to children today.
Highly reccommended for 8-12 y.o. girls (and maybe boys too)

I have read all of the American Girl books to my seven-year old daughter (except Julie, which is next on the list). My daughter loves the series and I like teaching her about American history through them. For us, this series is about an introduction to American history, not the dolls or merchandise.

I found this book, however, to be redundant. The same theme, factory worker rights, was covered in the Samantha books which take place about ten years before the Rebecca books. I would have preferred it if a different aspect of history were covered.

Despite that, my daughter enjoyed hearing the books.

We really love the American Girl Historical doll series and Rebecca is just as wonderful as the others. (yes I read them all too!) I love how the story while fiction teaches the historical lessons of the time with the extra bit of history in the back of each story.

Since my daughter is part of an American Girl Book Club with our homeschool group, we have read several sets in the American Girl series. This set, so far, ties for first place. (The other number one being Josefina!) Each book had a captivating story line that held the interest of my 10 year old. We both learned a great deal about the time period, as well as about the Jewish beliefs. From a homeschooling perspective, this series will add some fun to your study of American history, New York, early immigration, religion, and much more! I think all young girls, homeschooled or traditional, will enjoy this exciting set. I highly recommend doing the crafts to go with it...Tons of Fun!!! :)

Rebecca Boxed Set (American Girls Collection) (Paperback)

This set of books was especially interesting from a historial perspective.
I enjoyed the information that gave the background of a typical family of
Russian Jewish immigrants struggling to settle in to American life. The story
line was believeable and entertaining even though I am a senior citizen.

I plan on sharing the books with an adult of Jewish Russian ancestry and then
with my grandchildren.

These books were for my nine year old granddaughter but I must say I may have enjoyed them more than she did. I felt the books were well written, dealt with real issues of siblings, family and friends and introduced cultural and historical information. I'm so happy my granddaughter shared these books with me.

super fast shipping and wonderful condition aTRIVED JUST IN TIME FOR HER BIRTHDAY - 3 DAYS!!!

The set was new as described. My daughter loved the books and read them all. I am very pleased with the purchase and would buy from this seller again.