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nikbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
hannahrose_99's review against another edition
5.0
these american girls do not know how to read a room sometimes
elizabethtye's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars. Rereading this set because I got them for my daughter.
brightgreenink's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
levelstory's review against another edition
After reading three books in the Molly series that proved to be abysmal, the fourth installment was a much welcomed surprise. This book, more so than it's predecessors, actually showed the effects of war on the world, as well as Molly and her family. I was wondering if the narrative would ever address this somewhat sick habit of these kids to play war and have fun in bomb shelters. Luckily we have a new character named Emily to set these Americans straight. And she calls Molly out on her BS. Yes, Molly is still a spoiled child. I'm not sure the narrative wants to address that reality seriously and so these books shall remain, at best, just okay.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book more than any other American Girl book, because it was one that my sister randomly happened to own. I never liked how petty Molly and Emily were at the climax of this book, hence the three-star rating, but the story is full of interesting dynamics related to how British and American children experienced World War II differently.
The "peek into the past" section is also interesting. It goes through what the average American girl's life was like from birth to emerging adulthood in Molly's era, and it was here that I first learned that the 1940s invented the concept of a "teenager." Since I hated teenagers and dreaded becoming one, it helped me tremendously to learn that our culture's view of this age group was socially constructed several decades ago, and that I wasn't guaranteed to lose my mind and be unbearably rebellious and obnoxious as soon as I turned thirteen.
Of course, nothing that this book says conveys a negative view of teenagers. It just helped me deal with my biases and anxieties to learn that people's behaviors during this age were culturally influenced and prescribed for them, not guaranteed simply because they were a certain age.
Also! Earlier this year, I read a book that is set in the 1400s and narrated by contemporary characters. When these people from the Middle Ages referred to some boys as teenagers, I laughed out loud and watched all my suspension of disbelief shatter onto the floor. Clearly, more people should have benefited from this Molly book's peek into the past!
The "peek into the past" section is also interesting. It goes through what the average American girl's life was like from birth to emerging adulthood in Molly's era, and it was here that I first learned that the 1940s invented the concept of a "teenager." Since I hated teenagers and dreaded becoming one, it helped me tremendously to learn that our culture's view of this age group was socially constructed several decades ago, and that I wasn't guaranteed to lose my mind and be unbearably rebellious and obnoxious as soon as I turned thirteen.
Of course, nothing that this book says conveys a negative view of teenagers. It just helped me deal with my biases and anxieties to learn that people's behaviors during this age were culturally influenced and prescribed for them, not guaranteed simply because they were a certain age.
Also! Earlier this year, I read a book that is set in the 1400s and narrated by contemporary characters. When these people from the Middle Ages referred to some boys as teenagers, I laughed out loud and watched all my suspension of disbelief shatter onto the floor. Clearly, more people should have benefited from this Molly book's peek into the past!
wintermote's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A sweet story that introduces the reality of children’s experiences of the horrors of war. A really good friendship story.
meghan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's so hard to rate these because the stories are pretty good (I loved Emily and had an Emily doll growing up), but I cannot stand Molly. And every time I think "maybe Molly isn't so bad," she immediately does something shitty to remind me that she is truly the worst.
katherinevarga's review against another edition
Emily was far kinder than Molly deserved.