Scan barcode
thewordwitch's review against another edition
3.0
Giving these a reread because I've been having a lot of nostalgic moments this year, plus I recently discovered the podcast.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
"Ah, yes! Felicity the horse thief!"
That is how my brother refers to this American Girl, and it's fair. There is far more nuance to the story than that, but Felicity behaves in very disobedient and unwise ways in this story, and I've never been impressed with that element of it. I also was scared of Jiggy Nye as a child. Thus, this book has never been one of my favorites, but because it was the only one that we had at home, I read it more than the other Felicity books.
Thanks to COVID-19, I am limited to reading the books that I have at home, and most of my unread books are dense and thoughtful. Since I was in the mood for something relaxing and comforting at the end of March, I reread the Molly series, and this inspired me to undertake a Great American Girl Reread of 2020. I started the Felicity series again with this in mind, and was shocked to later realize just how long it has been since I read this series. I had assumed that I had reread it at some point during the lifetime of my Goodreads account, but no! I last read this in 2008.
It was very interesting to read this from an adult perspective. The author does a phenomenal job of setting up character elements, series story arcs, and the historical context of Colonial Williamsburg, and I would give this four stars if not for Felicity's poor behavior. The history is all excellently presented, and it made for the perfect comfort read, evoking memories of my family's trips to Williamsburg back in the day, of the stories that I made up inspired by Felicity, and the many conversations that I had about Felicity with various friends, especially during my horse girl phase.
That is how my brother refers to this American Girl, and it's fair. There is far more nuance to the story than that, but Felicity behaves in very disobedient and unwise ways in this story, and I've never been impressed with that element of it. I also was scared of Jiggy Nye as a child. Thus, this book has never been one of my favorites, but because it was the only one that we had at home, I read it more than the other Felicity books.
Thanks to COVID-19, I am limited to reading the books that I have at home, and most of my unread books are dense and thoughtful. Since I was in the mood for something relaxing and comforting at the end of March, I reread the Molly series, and this inspired me to undertake a Great American Girl Reread of 2020. I started the Felicity series again with this in mind, and was shocked to later realize just how long it has been since I read this series. I had assumed that I had reread it at some point during the lifetime of my Goodreads account, but no! I last read this in 2008.
It was very interesting to read this from an adult perspective. The author does a phenomenal job of setting up character elements, series story arcs, and the historical context of Colonial Williamsburg, and I would give this four stars if not for Felicity's poor behavior. The history is all excellently presented, and it made for the perfect comfort read, evoking memories of my family's trips to Williamsburg back in the day, of the stories that I made up inspired by Felicity, and the many conversations that I had about Felicity with various friends, especially during my horse girl phase.
meadows2020's review against another edition
5.0
Felicity is so much like me. She half asses things, doesn’t want to help do chores or ladylike projects like stitching. She loves horses so much she steals one. Just kidding I never stole a horse.
mcanant's review against another edition
4.0
Decided to read some American Girl books for nostalgia purposes. I remember loving Felicity as a young girl. That now makes sense since I had a horse girl phase and I loved learning about this time period. I will have to read more American Girl books to see how they measure up.
bronwynmb's review against another edition
4.0
About to start the American Girls podcast, so I’m rereading my AG books before I listen to the episodes.
I haven’t read this in probably nearly 25 years, so I only remembered broad strokes of this. I’ve always loved Felicity, but rereading this I think it’s because we look alike, and I loved that as a child, rather than because we were alike. Felicity is rambunctious and doesn’t like sitting still. She loves her family and horses. In this book she sets herself to save the tanner’s new horse (whom she has named Penny), from his abuse. It’s a sweet story about working for what you love and letting things go when it’s for the best.
I fully credit American Girl and Ann Rinaldi books with my love of history, and I can definitely see what elementary-aged me loved about this book.
I haven’t read this in probably nearly 25 years, so I only remembered broad strokes of this. I’ve always loved Felicity, but rereading this I think it’s because we look alike, and I loved that as a child, rather than because we were alike. Felicity is rambunctious and doesn’t like sitting still. She loves her family and horses. In this book she sets herself to save the tanner’s new horse (whom she has named Penny), from his abuse. It’s a sweet story about working for what you love and letting things go when it’s for the best.
I fully credit American Girl and Ann Rinaldi books with my love of history, and I can definitely see what elementary-aged me loved about this book.
piburnjones's review against another edition
4.0
This week, I discovered the American Girls Podcast, so there's going to be some re-reading going on. I was very into American Girls as a kid, and it deserves at least partial credit for my love of history, and of social history in particular.
That said, I haven't revisited most of these books in a long time, possibly over 20 years, so my memory of them is hazy. Felicity was neither my most or least favorite, and I don't remember having any particularly strong feelings about this book.
THAT said, I was also horse crazy at the time I would have first read this book. I would not have batted an eye at the idea of Felicity sneaking around to spend time with a horse she coveted. For that matter, a LOT of books I read in which kids had adventures involved sneaking around the adults in their lives, so that would have seemed like Normal Story Progression, too.
As an adult, do Felicity's questionable choices outweigh the appeal of a "spunky" (per AG's usual description of her) main character who finds herself capable of patience and perseverance when she cares enough?
Um. It does still have a certain charm for me, and I mean - she's gotta start somewhere, right?
(This probably deserves 3 stars instead of 4, but it gets an automatic Old School AG boost, so there.)
Added later: Let's talk for half a sec about Felicity being kind of a tomboy.
The only reason it bothers me is that when these were written, she was the collection's only word on girlhood in the colonial period. And what we get is, horses are life, wow pants are amazing, embroidery and cooking suck.
Which for Felicity as an individual is fine - people in all time periods can like what they like - but it bothers me because the "women's work" that Felicity dislikes is also exactly the kind of work that historically has been minimized or underappreciated specifically because it was done by women.
The only answer, I think, is more characters so there can be more representation of different experiences. You'd hope that Elizabeth could help with that, but her book is a hot mess. Caroline, who loves both sailing and embroidery, provides a nice balance - it's a shame she was archived so quickly.
That said, I haven't revisited most of these books in a long time, possibly over 20 years, so my memory of them is hazy. Felicity was neither my most or least favorite, and I don't remember having any particularly strong feelings about this book.
THAT said, I was also horse crazy at the time I would have first read this book. I would not have batted an eye at the idea of Felicity sneaking around to spend time with a horse she coveted. For that matter, a LOT of books I read in which kids had adventures involved sneaking around the adults in their lives, so that would have seemed like Normal Story Progression, too.
As an adult, do Felicity's questionable choices outweigh the appeal of a "spunky" (per AG's usual description of her) main character who finds herself capable of patience and perseverance when she cares enough?
Um. It does still have a certain charm for me, and I mean - she's gotta start somewhere, right?
(This probably deserves 3 stars instead of 4, but it gets an automatic Old School AG boost, so there.)
Added later: Let's talk for half a sec about Felicity being kind of a tomboy.
The only reason it bothers me is that when these were written, she was the collection's only word on girlhood in the colonial period. And what we get is, horses are life, wow pants are amazing, embroidery and cooking suck.
Which for Felicity as an individual is fine - people in all time periods can like what they like - but it bothers me because the "women's work" that Felicity dislikes is also exactly the kind of work that historically has been minimized or underappreciated specifically because it was done by women.
The only answer, I think, is more characters so there can be more representation of different experiences. You'd hope that Elizabeth could help with that, but her book is a hot mess. Caroline, who loves both sailing and embroidery, provides a nice balance - it's a shame she was archived so quickly.
bluehairedlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Revisiting childhood favorites in tandem with listening to the American Girls podcast. Felicity was never my favorite, but I always wished I was more headstrong and determined like she was.
jadeshea's review
4.0
Meet Felicity begins with Felicity going to the store in town that her father owns and runs. She would rather help out in the store then have to go home and help with baking or sewing. But, that's what she must do for now. However, when she over hears that the mean man in town got a new horse she wants to take a look at it.
And when she does she falls in love with the horse, but she also sees that the horse is being mistreated, and Felicity will do whatever it takes to help get the horse away from that vile man.
This book was one of the BEST I've read of the American girl collection so far. I adored Felicity, she's such a strong willed, impatient, kind little girl with a whole lot of guts as well. I also really loved the story in this one more than some of the others that I've read.
Now, I can't wait to read more of Felicity's stories!
And when she does she falls in love with the horse, but she also sees that the horse is being mistreated, and Felicity will do whatever it takes to help get the horse away from that vile man.
This book was one of the BEST I've read of the American girl collection so far. I adored Felicity, she's such a strong willed, impatient, kind little girl with a whole lot of guts as well. I also really loved the story in this one more than some of the others that I've read.
Now, I can't wait to read more of Felicity's stories!
thepurplegiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
this was such a nice throwback, oh my goodness. Felicity was my GIRL as a kid!
tea_rex_love's review against another edition
4.0
CWs: alcoholism, animal abuse, verbal abuse
The plotline had nothing to do with the American Revolution like I expected. But I enjoyed the plotline of Felicity saving a horse from death all the same. I think it is a good introduction to her character.
The plotline had nothing to do with the American Revolution like I expected. But I enjoyed the plotline of Felicity saving a horse from death all the same. I think it is a good introduction to her character.