Maryellen: The One and Only (American Girl® Historical Characters)

Maryellen is a likable tomboy who has two brothers and three sisters. She can feel a little lost in the shuffle. She knows her parents are pressed for time and can't give her much attention, and she doesn't like being lumped in with the younger kids. So she's determined to be seen. Unfortunately, things never seem to go quite as Maryellen planned, and she even loses her three best friends!Author Valerie Tripp excels at creating rambunctious characters like my childhood favorite, Molly, and Felicity. Maryellen seems a bit over the top sometimes, but then this book was still a real joy to read. Near the end, the book begins to talk about the Cold War, and I think this would have been a good opportunity to include more about school efforts, such as drills, which were a big thing back then. The book almost made it seem like Maryellen taught her class about the Cold War (p. 78), but in reality it is likely all the students would have been aware of it, through things like school drills, educational films (such as the government's "Duck and Cover" starring Bert the Turtle), and from their parents.I never read Maryellen's core books prior to this remake, so I can't compare this abridged version to the original storyline, but it is worth mentioning part of her story has been removed, which is a shame.That being said, I am so pleased to see American Girl bringing back an old feel to the books, similar to how they were in their early days (years ago they switched to plain books without pictures), including glossy pages and full color images. I'm not a huge fan of photos being used instead of paintings (and the one on p. 83 doesn't match a hair event that had just happened in the story), but the vignette paintings remind me of the old books. Including images in the books helps readers see what things looked like in the "olden days," and they help bring the stories to life. It would be nice to see the series for each character expanded to six books again, though. But at least this is a nice change. I really enjoyed reading this book.

"Maryellen Larkin is nine years old and longs to stand out, but in a family with five brothers and sisters it's easy to get lost in the shuffle! A painting mishap gains her some attention, but not the kind she's been longing for. Being invited to stay in at recess and practice her handwriting earns Maryellen a new friend, but what does that mean for her old friendships? Then, Maryellen is wishing for a white Christmas like the ones in the movies (not very likely in Florida!)."Set in the 1950s Florida, this tells the story of a girl growing up in a typical white, middle class family experiencing the typical problems of large family life at this time. Maryellen doesn't want to wear hand-me-downs from her older sisters; she wants a brand new felt poodle skirt. She wants to be known for some good quality, but it's hard given the homogenization of experience at the time.Very good details about everyday life at the time; clothes, family life, home. I also liked that Maryellen was depicted as having a weak leg due to a bout of polio, and adored how she was sent to the beach to get out of her mother's hair... with her six and four year old brothers in tow. Can totally see this happening! And now, we are appalled.

The American Girl books are perhaps legitimately called "formulaic," but truth be told, it's a formula that works well, and it's not bad quality. The heroine inhabits a well-researched milieu, has a wish she wants fulfilled, encounters a challenge that requires her to be brave and to trust the right people in her life, and she must triumph both in terms of the obstacle, and in her reaction to the people and/or circumstances that have been unfair to her. I like that the AG books are, in general, positive in terms of the way family relationships are portrayed, and don't rely too heavily on peer confidances at the expense of trusting the right adults. I like that the different historical and cultural circumstances are broadening for the young readers who engage these books, and that they are written with just the right amount of suspense, without being disturbing to sensitive readers. I like that there are people who are complicated, negative, prejudiced and even mean - but that they are rarely reduced to a simple caricature that we're comfortable dismissing without acknowledging their humanity or needs as an individual. All in all, I find this to be a worthy read for a youngster, and a great jumping off point for valuable conversations and mentoring.

An 8-year-old started asking for American Girl items, and I decided to look into what she was asking for before giving them to her... so while I am an adult, this is my first go-round with American Girl products.The story is wholesome, relatable, and full of kids who feel like people you know... all while including little life lessons. Maryellen is the doll the 8-year-old has, which is the reason I picked up Maryellen's stories... I am curious if kids specifically want stories tied to their dolls, or if they get into all the stories, as each set of books seems to cover something unique and interesting... here we are getting a glimpse of a previous generation's life in America... what some might call a simpler time, but as we look deeper, we are reminded of the Red Scare, and the threats their generation faced/understood in a different way than we do.This story captured me from the start, with Maryellen no longer wanting to be one of the little kids, but wanting to be seen as one of the "older siblings", it is a part of life, and family, I remember all too well, and I see often with my friends' kids.