Jess

Out of all of the AG LE dolls, this story was the best! I loved learning about Mayan culture and even the rainforest. It seemed like a more realistic account of what would happen if you were on an archeologic dig. It was very good and exciting too. I loved Jess' personality and I'm glad AG did an bi-Asian girl, for once!

Ten-year-old Jess Akiko McConnell is ecstatic when her Archeologist parents allow her to accompany them to Belize, where they will spend the next five months on an archeological dig. Jess has never had the opportunity to travel alone with her parents, and plans on making this trip extra special, because, for the first time in her life, she won't be the baby of the family, with her sixteen-year-old sister, Heather, and her seventeen-year-old brother, Jason, watching her like a hawk, and telling her what to do. For the first time in her life, she'll just be Jess. But that won't be the only first of this trip. Jess is also being home-schooled for the first time in her life, and, while the Central American heat is harsh for a Michigan-native like herself, she knows that she'll be able to make it through the next few months perfectly. However, after a few weeks, Jess realizes that being the only kid on an archeological dig isn't what she thought it would be. For starters, Jess finds herself bored much of the time, and while the ancient Maya ruins surrounding her are interesting, you can only look at them for a short time before you crave a fun game of soccer. So when Jess encounters a local tour guides daughter, Sarita, she couldn't be happier to have a companion - at least for a short time. But as the two girls explore their surroundings, they realize that they've stumbled upon something spectacular, and must keep their discovery a secret from strangers, or it could be disturbed - as well as destroyed - forever. I have always been interested in Central America. From the rainforests, to the animals, and everything in between. So when I realized that Mary Casanova's JESS followed an independent young girl through the Belizean jungle, making discoveries at every turn, I knew that it would be a delightful read - I was not disappointed. While this was my first AMERICAN GIRL OF TODAY tale, I found that Casanova's character, as well as the research she did regarding the ancient Maya ruins gave a nice contrasting blend of history and modern-day technology. Jess was an enchanting character from page one, as she admitted her growing fears about her new temporary home, then came to terms with the changes she would have to endure over the next few months. Her interactions with Sarita were enjoyable to read about, and were extremely true to how ten-year-old girls behave around one another - from getting into mischief, to making discoveries, and even to rescuing the wildlife around them. The TRUE STORY at the end of JESS, about a real ten-year-old girl named Elyse, who has the opportunity to accompany her archeologist parents on trips to Belize every year was interesting, and gave a nice finishing touch to Jess' tale. An enjoyable tale that takes readers on an educational eco-adventure! Erika Sorocco

Mary Casanova's lastest book, "Jess," follows the story of ten-year-old Jess and her first trip with her parents at an archaeological dig of ancient Maya ruins in the Central American country of Belize. Within her first few weeks living in Belize, Jess spends her lonely days without a friend in the world, until she meets a girl named Sarita, who helps Jess overcome her deepest fears and experience the adventure of a lifetime. While undertaking the wild life of caving and canoeing, Jess not only learns about herself and what's truly in her heart, but also the somewhat poverty-stricken life Sarita's family must live, without the modern conveniences Jess is accustomed to. However, as both girls work together, regardless of their numerous differences, they soon discover a piece of the past that no one has ever uncovered before them. While it can be said "Jess," apart of the American Girl book series, is an enthralling book for your young reader, once read it is clear that "Jess" focuses primarily on capturing the adventurous side of kids, and is somewhat dry for the much-older (teenage) crowd. But overall, "Jess" represents the the cultural background of Central Americans and their way of living, which long-time American Girl fans can greatly appreciate and benefit from.

This book rocks! It is a perfect book for anyone! Even adults! I will give it two BIG thumbs up! - Kristen

I'm an adult reader, and I really enjoyed this young adult book. It's about Jess, a 10 year-old American girl with archeologist parents. Jess gets to travel with her parents to the Central American country of Belize to study Maya ruins for five months. She'll be away from her home, her school, and her brother and sister, and she's both excited and scared. Mr. Bol, a local guide in Belize, has a 10 year-old daughter, Sarita, and she and Jess become fast friends. After a brief but strong storm, the girls find a parrot too young to survive on its own, and they decide to care for it until it can fend for itself. When Mr. Bol offers to take Jess and Sarita on an eco-adventure he's leading for a visiting couple, the girls take the parrot with them. Jess spends the night in Sarita's house and learns that they live quite differently in Belize. They wash their clothes by hand, and the whole family sleeps in one room! While on their adventure, the parrot sneaks away from the girls, and they go searching for it. Jess finds the parrot and reaches for it, but she stumbles. Her fall dislodges a rock that's covering a hole in the ground. Could it be an undiscovered cave? This book really held my attention. It was very educational without seeming like a textbook. The author clearly researched Belize and the Maya culture well, and the book flowed nicely. It didn't seem like the educational stuff was just thrown in for education's sake. I recommend it for all ages.