Kaya's Hero: A Story of Giving

This is the saddest Kaya book. It shocked me to the point where I just sat and stared at the pages in disbelief. It had an ending that I never expected, and I'm personally not completely sure that I wanted. It made the book more interesting, though. This book is about Kaya's admiration for Swan Circling, who I mentioned in my review of Book 2. But Kaya fears that Swan Circling will not like her if she finds out how irresponsible she truly is. The characters in this book are memorable, and, as in the other books, the art is well-done. Each chapter is rather long, but the book itself is rather short, in my opinion. Overall, I would say this is a good book to continue the Kaya series, and I recommend it to Kaya readers.

This book had a very unexpected ending, one which practically took my breath away. Though not the happiest of endings, it made the book more emotional, and memorable. That's what I like about American Girl, they're not afraid to add a little sadness to their books. I recommend this book to any book-loving girl, although she might enjoy it more if she read the first two books before it.

This is another 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, Kaya finds a hero in the form of Swan Circling, a woman whose bravery puts her in a class by herself. Kaya looks for praise from Swan Circling, but is deeply afraid of what she'll think when she learns of the mistakes that Kaya has made. This is another excellent Kaya story, and a great addition to the American Girls library. My eleven-year-old daughter and I both loved this book, for its lessons, its entertaining story, and its wonderful illustrations. Kaya is different than most of the other American Girls in that she actually evinces her religion, something I wish they could have worked in with all of the other girls. So, my daughter loved this book, and recommends it for your daughters, and I heartily agree!

In Kaya's Hero, the 3rd book in the series, Kaya is in awe at the bravery of a particular young woman in her tribe named Swan Circling. Kaya respects Swan Circling's fearlessness, and how she even goes with the men into battle. Kaya desperately wants to be friends with Swan Circling, but is afraid her past mistakes, which earned her the nickname "Magpie" might turn Swan Cirling away. As Kaya begins to know Swan Circling better she decides to tell Swan Circling the truth of her past, even if it mean jeoperdizing their new friendship. However, something terrible happens before Kaya can spill her feelings out. But with the tragedy, Kaya also learns a new lesson, and gets one of the most special gifts from Swan Circling. I liked this new Kaya book quite a lot, and it might turn into my favorite book in the series. You can really see how Kaya grows through this book, and Swan Circling seems like the perfect role model.

In "Kaya's Hero" (Book 3 in the series), Kaya is still struggling with an old nickname and the lesson she is learning with it. Kaya knows how the name given to her by the other children reflects qualities that she has, but wishes she didn't have! Then, she finds herself admiring a young woman who had married into her tribe. Swan Circling is a courageous warrior woman and Kaya wants to be her friend and learn from her. Swan Circling sees in her many admirable qualities she willing points out to Kaya, but Kaya remains embarrased by her past mistakes. She feels the compliments could not be true, and is ashamed to tell Swan Circling about how she got the dreaded nickname and how she got herself and her sister captured by the neighboring tribe. Then, Swan Circling finds a way to leave Kaya with a new name that she can live up to and grow into.