American Girls Short Stories
17 total works
Nine-year-old Josefina wants to give up learning to play the piano until she sees how much joy her music gives to her baby nephew. Discusses the importance of music on the New Mexican frontier and describes how to dance La Vaquerita.
Molly feels that everything in her life has changed when her father goes off to England to help wounded soldiers and her beloved aunt joins the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Includes a section on women pilots in the armed services, and a project related to the story.
When her friend Nellie, the servant girl from next door, does not show up for ice skating as usual, Samantha is afraid that Nellie will not come to her party because she cannot afford to bring presents. Includes a section on ice skating in the early 1900s.
All winter Felicity has waited to go to the Williamsburg town fair, but her foolhardy actions in trying to feed the race horses spoil the fun and teach her a lesson.
When her friend Nellie is suspected of stealing Mrs. Van Sicklen's black pearls at Christmastime, Samantha helps her discover where they really went.
When the entire family goes into the hills to collect piñon nuts, Josefina hopes to find the most in order to make Tía Dolores proud of her.
In colonial Williamsburg, nine-year-old Felicity's dancing skills improve when she changes from wearing clumsy shoes to dainty slippers but ultimately she learns that "Gracefulness is in the foot, not the shoe." Includes information on the education of girls in colonial America, focusing on dance, and presents square dance instructions.
Although she is tired of the responsibility of being the oldest sister, Felicity realizes how much her family means to her when a carriage accident puts her pregnant mother in danger. Includes a section on babies in the late 1700s.
In 1774 Williamsburg, Virginia, Felicity helps the irritable Mrs. Burnie do laundry and learns a secret that seems to explain her behavior. Includes notes on the history of eyeglasses and instructions for making a pair of lorgnettes, glass lenses attached to elegant handles.
In the early 1800s, nine-year-old Josefina accompanies her father into the New Mexican mountains to check on the elderly shepherd who works for him, and she proves herself a good traveling companion when her father has an accident.
Molly is sure that she will find the surprise at the end of the overnight nature hike at Camp Gowonagin, but then she finds her own secret surprise.
Molly is eager to meet a famous movie star at a War Bond rally, until she cannot find the money that her class had collected to buy a bond. Includes information on movies during World War II and a recipe for popcorn.
When Cornelia's veil is ruined on the day of her wedding ceremony in 1904, nine-year-old Samantha comes to the rescue. Includes information on wedding customs in the early 1900s and instructions for making a bridesmaid bouquet.