Really Truly Ruthie

I read many American Girl books as a child, but I had never actually read this one. I loved it! My only disappointment came when I finished reading it, because I wanted to read more! But Kit has 6 books, so I read those :)

The American Girl books from history are some of the best books out there. Not only do they tell the story of what life was like "way back when", they also encourage a love of history in my daughter. She thinks it is great to learn more about the time periods in these books.

Let me begin this review by saying I'm a 20 year old girl absolutely still in love with the American Girl series. And, in addition, that Kit is my favorite American Girl; the release of Kit's theatrical film no doubt prompted the American Girl company to release Ruthie, Kit's "friend-doll" and her very own book. What a great edition to makes to the Kit series and the American Girl line as a whole! "Really Truly Ruthie" is set, like the rest of the Kit books, in the heart of the Great Depression. Kit and Ruthie are friends to the end, in spite of the fact that Ruthie's family has not suffered from the Depression, while Kit's family is struggling to keep their house. It is the threat of eviction that prompts Ruthie, a fairy-tale loving, head-in-the-clouds "goofy" girl to embark on a lengthy journey to Kit's Aunt Millie, who will be willing and able to help Kit's family keep their house. At first, Ruthie decides to go (in addition to helping her friend's family of course) so that people will stop looking at her as someone daffy and ditzy and begin to see her as a girl who can live in the here and now and handle herself. However, as Ruthie's journey continues, she begins to realize that there are more important things. Out of all the American Girl series (my own opinion mind you) I believe that Ruthie is the most fleshed-out and likable of all the "friend" characters, who mostly appear in and out of the books when the central character needs them. "Really Truly Ruthie" not only gives us a better look at one of the characters in the Kit book series, but also provides readers with an insightful look into the Great Depression: not all families suffered the hardship that we often see and it's interesting to see another side, as well as to see how a character responds to the hardship of a friend. "Really Truly Ruthie" also provides readers with an important lesson; Ruthie seems like a character with only good and selfless intentions but she learns something about herself that readers can take away as a valuable lesson. To end this some what lengthy review: "Really, Truly Ruthie" is a great edition to the American Girl series and adds a whole new level to the Kit series in general. It's an engaging read and touches on the issue of the Great Depression, how to help friends and family in need without wounding their pride and demonstrates the way that the nation rallied together when the Depression struck.