Meet Kirsten

Meet Kirsten: An American Girl is the first book in the Kirsten series. It is included with Kirsten when she is purchased and can be purchased separately.

Facts

 * Author: Janet Beeler Shaw
 * Illustrators: Renee Graef
 * First Published: August 1986
 * Setting: Early Summer 1854

Introduced

 * Kirsten Larson
 * Lars Larson
 * "Mama" Larson
 * Lars Larson the Younger
 * Peter Larson
 * Olav Larson
 * Inger Larson
 * Anna Larson
 * Lisbeth Larson

Only in Meet Kirsten

 * Marta

Chapter One: America!
Kirsten is on the deck of the boat they are traveling on, the Eagle. She eagerly points out the land across the sea as America. Her friend Marta shades her eyes to look and says she thought she would never walk on land again, shivering. Kirsten asks her if she's cold and suggests they go sit where the wind isn't very strong. Tucking her doll Sari into her shawl Kirsten walks over to a tall coil of rope, hitches up her skirt, and climbs in. Marta climbs in after her. Kisten takes a handkercheif from her pocket and makes a cape for Sari. Marta uses her doll's apron as a shawl and tells the doll that they will soon be on land again. Kirsten takes out some bread and breaks it in two; the two girls share with their dolls before sharing with each other. Kirsten asks Marta what she wants to do first in America and Marta says she wants to pick an apple, as there as apples everywhere. Kirsten says they'll pick cherries too, thrilled at the idea of fresh fruit. Marta adds they will have fresh bread too, and wonders if they will arrive by tonight. Kirsten says not if it storms again, as the clouds above are darkening. She can see the sailors climbing the riggings above her.

Papa calls out for Kirsten, and Kirsten stands up to see Papa standing on deck. Papa says a storm is coming and with the rocky coast and wind it could be dangerous. He lifts Kirsten and Marta out of the rope coil to lead them down below deck. Water is washing over the deck and into Kirsten's boots as she makes her way towards the hold. Papa hurries the two girls down below. Kirsten knows that she can't stay on deck as it is dangerous in a storm, but she does not enjoy having to stay in the room they are in. Twenty Swedish familes are in the same room and have been for the past two months, sharing bunks lining the walls with their things stored in trunks. The air is sour--even more so when someone is seasick--and dark with only one oil lantern attached to the ceiling. Mama is lying in the bunk she shares with Kirsten and Kirsten climbs in with her. Mama says she sent Papa to find her and wonders where she was hiding. Kirsten says that she and Marta saw land. Mama says that she prayed there were no more storms so she could feel better, as she has been ill since boarding. Kirsten asks her not to lose heart, even with the ship's pitching and noises outside. There is a crash, and Mama puts an arm around Kirsten and warns her not to fall off their bunk. Things tumble around the hold and the lantern falls underneath a table.

Kirsten says that Lars told her the coast is full of rocks and worries they will be blown against them. Mama tells her to think about Uncle Olav's letter instead and asks Kirsten if she remembers him. Kirsten asks to be told more about her uncle as she has heard about him often, hoping that this will distract her from the storm. Mama talks about Olav's leaving for America and his letter telling about their farm in Minnesota (a word that is strange to Kirsten). Kirsten, at Mama's request, goes on to say that Olav met Inger, who was also from Sweden; Inger was a widow with two girls, Anna and Lisbeth. Mama continues that Olav married her. Kirsten asks if they will be friends. Mama assures her they will as they will live on the same farnm. The ship is still being shaken up by the storm, and Kirsten holds Sari to her and thinks about them almost being to America, imagining the farm they will be on and hoping it will be like the one she left behind.

The storm passes and Kirsten feels like a cat she once fished out as she is wet and dirty. But everyone is safe and the Eagle heads towards the coast. She and her family are on deck. Her father says he smells earth again; he is holding Peter. Mama smiles and leans to whisper to Papa that she often worried that they would not make it. Papa says that she is brave and has heart and he is proud of her and their children. Lars, who has been talking to sailors, says that they will land in New York tomorrow. Mama is glad as they will have fresh bread and she can wash their clothes. Lars says they won't be able to leave before they are examined by the health inspector; he explains the purpose of the health inspector, who will not let anyone who is sick stay in America. Peter worres that Mama is sick and reaches out for her; Mama hugs him. Papa explains that Mama has only been seasick, and that is common; the health inspector is looking for more serious illnesses such as cholera that are fatal. Lars says no one has cholera, and Papa assures Peter there will be nothing to worry about and they will be in New York to continue the journey to Minnesota.

The Eagle docks in New York Harbor the next day and the health inspector says the passengers may leave. Lars bounds down the gangplank with Peter behind him; Mama and Papa go next, with Kirsten behind them holding Sari. Kirsten is excited to get on the grass and run, but is dizzy when she gets on the land. She asks Papa why she's dizzy and Papa explains that they have gottne used to the ship's movement and need to get used to being on land again. Kirsten stands still for a moment and looks back at the Eagle; when they boarded the ship no one knew what to expect, but they have all made it safely to America. Kirsten wonders about what is next (more hopeful than scared) and follows her parents to the park near the dock.

Chapter Two: Lost
Kirsten can't believe how different America is! Papa goes to buy tickets for the rest of their trip, and then brings Kirsten and Peter to buy milk and bread. Kirsten gets lost in the crowd, and is separated from Papa and Peter. She tries to ask people for help, but they do not understand her. Discouraged, she sits on the stoop of a house. A woman sees her, and they communicate through hand motions and pictures. The woman gives Kirsten milk and brings her to the dock where the ships are.

Chapter Three: Across the New Land
The next day, the Larsons begin their journey to Minnesota. Marta is not leaving until the next day, however. The girls say goodbye and agree to look for each other. Kirsten and her family board a cramped, hot train to Chicago. When they get there, the family stays in a boarding house. Marta's family is staying in the same home, and the girls and their families are happy to see each other. Kirsten is beginning to feel at home in America.

Chapter Four: A Sad Journey
The families board The Redwing, a riverboat that travels the Mississippi river. Everything goes well, until one day Kirsten can't find Marta. She talks to her father, who tells her that Marta has cholera. Kirsten still wants to see her friend, so she goes to Marta's room. Marta's mother tells her to leave. Kirsten's Mama tells her there is nothing they can do. One morning, Kirsten wakes up and goes to the sick bay. Marta's bed is empty, and Kirsten goes to look for her. She can't find Marta, and asks her parents where she is. Marta's father points to sailors burying a coffin - Marta had died.

Chapter Five: Home at Last
The Larsons finally get off the boat. Kirsten is still mourning Marta's death, but Mama tells her to cheer up - they would soon reach Uncle Olav's farm. Because the family does not have enough money to rent a wagon, they must leave their trunks to be shipped to them later. They carry all they can, and walk to Olav's. They make it there, and they are all very happy to be reunited. The next day, Kirsten's cousins Anna and Lisbeth show her their girls-only forest fort. Kirsten is beginning to feel at home, happy to be with her family.

Looking Back: America in 1854
This Looking Back discusses immigration - the trip across the ocean, the risks of the journey, and the benefits and excitement of coming to America.

Items associated with Meet Kirsten

 * Kirsten's Meet Outfit
 * Kirsten's Accessories
 * Swedish Dirndl and Kerchief