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abaumler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
soulkissed2003's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
llama_lord's review against another edition
5.0
I am continuing my re-read of Felicity's books, one of my favorite series from childhood, while I listen to the American Girls podcast. As a kid I always hated reading the last book in an American Girl character's story. For one, the title "Changes for Felicity" (or Josefina, Kaya, Kirsten, etc) sounds so ominous to me. And there is just something sad about them; we as a reader have been present for an entire year of these character's lives and these books signify the end of our window into the character's world. Changes for Felicity is particuarly bittersweet, which didn't help my sad feeling about the book.
This story starts off with happy news. Felicity's beloved horse Penny apparently sowed some wild oats during her brief stint of freedom between books 1 and 4, and is expecting a foal. While running errands for her father's store, Felicity and Elizabeth stop by the Williamsburg jail, where they see that Jiggy Nye - the villain who abused Penny in Meet Felicity - is incarcerated for an unpaid debt and is very ill. Elizabeth convinces Felicity that they should bring Jiggy Nye medicine and blankets, in hopes that he will not bother Felicity about Penny when he is out of jail. Soon after that, Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a Loyalist. Felicity's Grandfather, who is visiting Williamsburg and also feeling under the weather, is outraged by this news and takes matters into his own hands, personally going to Committee of Safety and negotiating Mr. Cole's release. However, this day of running around Williamsburg in the icy January weather exasperates Grandfather's illness, and he tragically passes away not long afterwards. Some time later after Grandfather's funeral, Penny goes into labor while Felicity's father and their slave Marcus (the two people in the family most experienced with horses) are out of town putting Grandfather's affairs in orders, leaving only Felicity, Ben, and Mrs. Merriman to help Penny. When Penny starts having labor complications Felicity turns to an unlikely friend, Jiggy Nye. It turns out that in a random act of kindness, Grandfather payed off Jiggy Nye's debts that day he was helping Mr. Cole get out of jail, and Jiggy Nye remembers this kind act of Grandfather's as well as Felicity and Elizabeth's kind act of bringing him blankets and medicine in jail. Jiggy Nye helps Penny give birth to a healthy colt, Patriot. The book ends with some optimistic changes - Felicity will get to help Ben in the store more often as Mr. Merriman starts a new role as a commissary agent gathering supplies for the Patriot army, and that although Mr. Cole has to move to New York City for his safety, Felicity's best friend Elizabeth will get to stay in Williamsburg with her mother and sister.
The death of Felicity's grandfather was really heartbreaking to me. I thought his sweet relationship with Felicity was a highlight in this series. The loss of her Grandfather brings Felicity's fear of change and the instability of life to the forefront. She and her mother share a very heartfelt talk about facing change with courage and hope, and embracing the happy changes in life. I felt like this book had kind of a "circle of life" theme going on, with the tragic loss of Felicity's Grandfather being mirrored with the joy and endless possibilities of a new life entering the world, as seen by Felicity's new baby sister and Patriot.
I really was not expecting the Jiggy Nye redemption arc in this story. I thought he was a pretty cut-and-dry villain in Meet Felicity - especially from a child's perspective. However, I really enjoyed his redemption arc and thought that it had a very good message. In this story we learn that Jiggy Nye used to be a well-liked citizen of Williamsburg and respected by everyone for his knowledge of animals and livestock, but his grief over the death of his wife led him down a path of alcoholism which eventually turned him into the cruel pariah we met in Book 1. However, the selfless acts by Grandfather, Elizabeth, and Felicity while he was in jail make Jiggy Nye realize he is not completely alone and friendless in life, and this gives him a new outlook and brings about positive change. I was impressed with Elizabeth in this story particularly for showing so much empathy toward Jiggy Nye and convincing Felicity to show him kindness rather than make him her life-long enemy. Somehow, we unfortunately went from this kind-hearted, sensible Elizabeth to the "It's Just a Prank, Bro" Elizabeth of Very Funny, Elizabeth.
This was a bittersweet end to the Felicity stories. This particular book doesn't really feel like it's own stand-alone entry in the Felicity series, but rather as a conclusion to the series as a whole. Overall, I think that these books were very well done. They made excellent use of the 6 book format. As I have said in my other Felicity reviews, I really think that the pacing of the Revolutionary War history is done well in these books. Also, we see a lot of personal growth for Felicity in her own character arc in the course of these stories - something Mrs. Merriman actually brings up in this book. While the book ends on a positive note, it feels like these books end right when Felicity's "real" story is about to begin. The Revolutionary War would go on until Felicity is about 16, and I can't help but wonder what would happen to her family and friends if these stories continued into the Revolutionary War. I guess I will continue to be an old woman shaking my fist at clouds demanding the gritty YA reboot of Felicity's Revolutionary War story.
This story starts off with happy news. Felicity's beloved horse Penny apparently sowed some wild oats during her brief stint of freedom between books 1 and 4, and is expecting a foal. While running errands for her father's store, Felicity and Elizabeth stop by the Williamsburg jail, where they see that Jiggy Nye - the villain who abused Penny in Meet Felicity - is incarcerated for an unpaid debt and is very ill. Elizabeth convinces Felicity that they should bring Jiggy Nye medicine and blankets, in hopes that he will not bother Felicity about Penny when he is out of jail. Soon after that, Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a Loyalist. Felicity's Grandfather, who is visiting Williamsburg and also feeling under the weather, is outraged by this news and takes matters into his own hands, personally going to Committee of Safety and negotiating Mr. Cole's release. However, this day of running around Williamsburg in the icy January weather exasperates Grandfather's illness, and he tragically passes away not long afterwards. Some time later after Grandfather's funeral, Penny goes into labor while Felicity's father and their slave Marcus (the two people in the family most experienced with horses) are out of town putting Grandfather's affairs in orders, leaving only Felicity, Ben, and Mrs. Merriman to help Penny. When Penny starts having labor complications Felicity turns to an unlikely friend, Jiggy Nye. It turns out that in a random act of kindness, Grandfather payed off Jiggy Nye's debts that day he was helping Mr. Cole get out of jail, and Jiggy Nye remembers this kind act of Grandfather's as well as Felicity and Elizabeth's kind act of bringing him blankets and medicine in jail. Jiggy Nye helps Penny give birth to a healthy colt, Patriot. The book ends with some optimistic changes - Felicity will get to help Ben in the store more often as Mr. Merriman starts a new role as a commissary agent gathering supplies for the Patriot army, and that although Mr. Cole has to move to New York City for his safety, Felicity's best friend Elizabeth will get to stay in Williamsburg with her mother and sister.
The death of Felicity's grandfather was really heartbreaking to me. I thought his sweet relationship with Felicity was a highlight in this series. The loss of her Grandfather brings Felicity's fear of change and the instability of life to the forefront. She and her mother share a very heartfelt talk about facing change with courage and hope, and embracing the happy changes in life. I felt like this book had kind of a "circle of life" theme going on, with the tragic loss of Felicity's Grandfather being mirrored with the joy and endless possibilities of a new life entering the world, as seen by Felicity's new baby sister and Patriot.
I really was not expecting the Jiggy Nye redemption arc in this story. I thought he was a pretty cut-and-dry villain in Meet Felicity - especially from a child's perspective. However, I really enjoyed his redemption arc and thought that it had a very good message. In this story we learn that Jiggy Nye used to be a well-liked citizen of Williamsburg and respected by everyone for his knowledge of animals and livestock, but his grief over the death of his wife led him down a path of alcoholism which eventually turned him into the cruel pariah we met in Book 1. However, the selfless acts by Grandfather, Elizabeth, and Felicity while he was in jail make Jiggy Nye realize he is not completely alone and friendless in life, and this gives him a new outlook and brings about positive change. I was impressed with Elizabeth in this story particularly for showing so much empathy toward Jiggy Nye and convincing Felicity to show him kindness rather than make him her life-long enemy. Somehow, we unfortunately went from this kind-hearted, sensible Elizabeth to the "It's Just a Prank, Bro" Elizabeth of Very Funny, Elizabeth.
This was a bittersweet end to the Felicity stories. This particular book doesn't really feel like it's own stand-alone entry in the Felicity series, but rather as a conclusion to the series as a whole. Overall, I think that these books were very well done. They made excellent use of the 6 book format. As I have said in my other Felicity reviews, I really think that the pacing of the Revolutionary War history is done well in these books. Also, we see a lot of personal growth for Felicity in her own character arc in the course of these stories - something Mrs. Merriman actually brings up in this book. While the book ends on a positive note, it feels like these books end right when Felicity's "real" story is about to begin. The Revolutionary War would go on until Felicity is about 16, and I can't help but wonder what would happen to her family and friends if these stories continued into the Revolutionary War. I guess I will continue to be an old woman shaking my fist at clouds demanding the gritty YA reboot of Felicity's Revolutionary War story.
vll295's review against another edition
4.0
As a 90's child, I couldnt imagine it without the American Girl books!
kitkat133's review against another edition
3.0
Feels like an underwhelming end to the Felicity series. Just ok
slabrey's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, I did not realize that I would be my most vocal on Goodreads over the American Girl original series. But, the changes in publications in the past decade have made me angry, so here we go.
I LOVED these books so much growing up, and felt the need to revisit them. Looking back, I think that this series in particular started my interest in History. They just don't make them like this anymore.
Literally.
The American Girl Company, formerly The Pleasant Company, has stopped writing this particular style of books. Looking in the new books, you don't have the illustrations anymore, or it seems the little history snippet in the back. Which was what set the American Girl stories apart.
The illustrations in the series are wonderful, they had a realistic, detailed touch to them that was rare in children's books.
It was the same with the historical pieces. It added a bit a realism to the story. sure, you were reading fiction, but you also got to learn at least a little bit about life in America in the past.
Its very sad to me that these are out of print. I don't see why they couldnt print this series along with adding in new girls, and maybe growing the series for the originals as well.
I LOVED these books so much growing up, and felt the need to revisit them. Looking back, I think that this series in particular started my interest in History. They just don't make them like this anymore.
Literally.
The American Girl Company, formerly The Pleasant Company, has stopped writing this particular style of books. Looking in the new books, you don't have the illustrations anymore, or it seems the little history snippet in the back. Which was what set the American Girl stories apart.
The illustrations in the series are wonderful, they had a realistic, detailed touch to them that was rare in children's books.
It was the same with the historical pieces. It added a bit a realism to the story. sure, you were reading fiction, but you also got to learn at least a little bit about life in America in the past.
Its very sad to me that these are out of print. I don't see why they couldnt print this series along with adding in new girls, and maybe growing the series for the originals as well.
frogy927's review against another edition
2.0
I missed two of them, but I'm calling my Felicity (re-)read done. And this was my least favorite of the ones I read. I just did not like any of it.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
Whenever anyone tells me, "You just don't like change," I picture the cover of this book and feel perfectly validated in my opinion. Change is difficult! Change is bittersweet. Change shakes up your life, and then you have to wait nervously to find out what happens next.
I appreciated this book more as an adult. It's still sad, but I'm now accustomed to life changes, and appreciate this book's sensitive portrayal of Felicity's emotions. Even though I used to laugh at my mother for crying when she read children's books aloud to us, I cried over this one, mainly because
This one is one of the most bittersweet series conclusions, in my opinion, because even though it provides a satisfying ending to the series and has a redemptive story arc, a lot of sad and scary changes happen. It's authentic to the time period and to life's realities, and provides a moving portrait of how children process changes in their lives, but I can see why this was a downer to me when I was that age.
Years later, when the American Girl mysteries came out, I was thrilled, because they picked up where each series ended and I could find out what happened to the characters next. I especially valued this in the case of Felicity, since this book involves so many huge alterations to daily life without fully showing what happens next. Finishing this makes me want to reread the mysteries, so in that sense, not much has changed.
I appreciated this book more as an adult. It's still sad, but I'm now accustomed to life changes, and appreciate this book's sensitive portrayal of Felicity's emotions. Even though I used to laugh at my mother for crying when she read children's books aloud to us, I cried over this one, mainly because
Spoiler
the death of Felicity's grandfather hit very close to home. The day before I reread this was the sixth anniversary of my paternal grandfather's death, and I was in exactly the right frame of mind to get really teary.This one is one of the most bittersweet series conclusions, in my opinion, because even though it provides a satisfying ending to the series and has a redemptive story arc, a lot of sad and scary changes happen. It's authentic to the time period and to life's realities, and provides a moving portrait of how children process changes in their lives, but I can see why this was a downer to me when I was that age.
Years later, when the American Girl mysteries came out, I was thrilled, because they picked up where each series ended and I could find out what happened to the characters next. I especially valued this in the case of Felicity, since this book involves so many huge alterations to daily life without fully showing what happens next. Finishing this makes me want to reread the mysteries, so in that sense, not much has changed.