Time for School! American Girl is a Random House Books American Girl publication and Little Golden Book focused on various Historical Characters and their educational experiences.
Contents[]
The book starts by discussing school and how it has changed over the years but has always been a place to make friends and try new things, then focuses briefly on selected educational experiences of several Historical Characters (often as seen in the Central Series in the school books).
- In Colonial America, girls study different subjects than boys. Felicity Merriman, like many girls, learns domestic lessons such as stitchwork, dancing, and tea service. When her loose tooth falls in a teacup during a lesson, she is afraid she'll be in trouble--but everyone giggles, even the teacher.
- In pioneer days in the mid-1800s, kids of all ages and grade levels learn in one large room. Kirsten Larson only speaks Swedish when she arrived in America so to help her learn English, her teacher gives her a poem to memorized. While nervous, Kirsten is proud when she recites her poem perfectly.
- In Civil War America, Addy Walker is able to attend school for the first time. She learns to spell words by copying them on a slate that can be erased and reused. Since Momma also never learned to read or write, Addy teaches her at home using dough to shape letters.
- Samantha Parkington's school doesn't have a gymnasium, so the head of the academy comes to the classroom to lead the girls in daily exercises. The girls--in their fancy dresses--do arm stretches and knee bends to keep their bodies healthy.
- Rebecca Rubin's teacher inspects students to make sure their hands are clean and their hair is styled. The day starts with math puzzles. Rather than work problems on paper, the problems are worked out mentally. Rebecca is a whiz at them.
- Nanea Mitchell in WWII Hawaii goes out for recess after lunch. Children her age don't wear shoes to school and play barefoot. Nanea's favorite recess games are swinging, jacks and jump rope.
- Molly McIntire class (in WWII Midwest America) studies geography by talking about America's allies. When her teacher asks the capital of England, Molly stands by her desk and answers London--where her father is working at an army hospital.
- Melody Ellison comes home from school and has her snack and does her homework at the kitchen table before her mother takes her to church choir practice. The choir practices "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and while it's challenging, Melody loves to practice the song.
- Julie Albright's school doesn't have a girls' basketball team, so she gathers a petition and fights for her right to play on the boys' team. Once she joins, she's a star player and the boys even give her a special nickname: Cool Hands Albright.
- Courtney Moore's class is excited to see the launch of a space shuttle on television live. In preparation, her class works on a scale model of the shuttle.
The books ends stating that every day at school is an opportunity to become stronger, smarter, and kinder, then asks readers what their favorite school activity is.
Trivia[]
- Educational activities for Josefina Montoya, Marie-Grace Gardner, Cécile Rey, Kit Kittredge, and Maryellen Larkin are not seen. Formal education for Kaya'aton'my and Caroline Abbott are not given in books to reference.
- The elementary school shown at the beginning is named Pleasant Elementary in reference to Pleasant Company.
- The characters are discussed in chronological order.
- While shown on the cover, Felicity's embroidery work and Courtney using a computer are not shown or discussed.
- Elizabeth Cole, while not named, is illustrated with brown hair rather than blonde.
See Also[]
- Happy Birthday! American Girl
- Happy Holidays! American Girl
- Making a Difference! American Girl
- Grandmas Are the Best! American Girl