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daumari's review against another edition
4.0
I suppose that's a project I can pursue: reading all the Best Friend books ([b:Good Luck, Ivy|976423|Good Luck, Ivy (American Girls Julie)|Lisa Yee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348021531l/976423._SX50_.jpg|961319] is my #1 of course, but that's because I still maintain Ivy should've been the 1970s MC, especially given AG decided she'd be the one to get a tv movie but that's my wishful 4th gen self wanting a historical character like me)
It's been a LONG time since I've read the Kit books- I think I might've actually read them at publication despite being too old for them, so I dimly remembered the Christmas issue where Kit and her mother were too proud (understandably so) to accept charity from Ruthie and her mother for Christmas activities. Still, hijinks ensue and it's a good thing Charlie accompanied Ruthie on her journey to save the Kittredges from eviction by going to a strange place to talk to a relative because otherwise my credulity would be a lil bit stretched...!
I know I said [b:Meet Claudie: An American Girl; 1922|61768449|Meet Claudie An American Girl; 1922 (American Girl Historical Characters)|Brit Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664900506l/61768449._SX50_.jpg|97391698] felt short while this is 75 pages... but I think it's because Claudie is in the era of doing two longer books instead of 6 short ones, so the length feels shorter because there aren't more books giving us more story/character development. Also, it was ENTIRELY coincidental to pick up the two books (20s and 30s, even) that discuss potential eviction and solutions to avoid kicking out all the boarders.
It's been a LONG time since I've read the Kit books- I think I might've actually read them at publication despite being too old for them, so I dimly remembered the Christmas issue where Kit and her mother were too proud (understandably so) to accept charity from Ruthie and her mother for Christmas activities. Still, hijinks ensue and it's a good thing Charlie accompanied Ruthie on her journey to save the Kittredges from eviction by going to a strange place to talk to a relative because otherwise my credulity would be a lil bit stretched...!
I know I said [b:Meet Claudie: An American Girl; 1922|61768449|Meet Claudie An American Girl; 1922 (American Girl Historical Characters)|Brit Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664900506l/61768449._SX50_.jpg|97391698] felt short while this is 75 pages... but I think it's because Claudie is in the era of doing two longer books instead of 6 short ones, so the length feels shorter because there aren't more books giving us more story/character development. Also, it was ENTIRELY coincidental to pick up the two books (20s and 30s, even) that discuss potential eviction and solutions to avoid kicking out all the boarders.
mskristi4's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
impybelle's review
4.0
Ruthie spends much of Kit's core series being the ditzy best friend who doesn't seem to fully understand how bad the Depression is because her father still has his job.
RTR proves that Ruthie does get it, or at least more than she's given credit for, anyway. When Kit's family misunderstands when the bank expects their money to keep the Kittredge's in their home, Ruthie hatches a plan to visit Kit's Aunt Millie and ask her for a loan, which Kit is sure Millie will give.
Ruthie is sure that when she returns with the money, everyone will see her differently. They'll realize she's not all happily ever afters and no common sense.
I really liked Ruthie after reading RTR and it does make you look at her in a different way for all the other books.
RTR proves that Ruthie does get it, or at least more than she's given credit for, anyway. When Kit's family misunderstands when the bank expects their money to keep the Kittredge's in their home, Ruthie hatches a plan to visit Kit's Aunt Millie and ask her for a loan, which Kit is sure Millie will give.
Ruthie is sure that when she returns with the money, everyone will see her differently. They'll realize she's not all happily ever afters and no common sense.
I really liked Ruthie after reading RTR and it does make you look at her in a different way for all the other books.
marjoy18's review
5.0
[Rereading the American Girl books in quarantine to feel something 7/7]
If I ever say I can’t stand out-of-touch rich people, NEVER am I talking about Great Depression icon, Ruthie Smithens. Put some respect on my humble and generous queen’s name!
If I ever say I can’t stand out-of-touch rich people, NEVER am I talking about Great Depression icon, Ruthie Smithens. Put some respect on my humble and generous queen’s name!
panda_incognito's review against another edition
5.0
For a long time, all that I remembered about this book was really, truly hating it. Now, I'm not even sure why I ever disliked it in the first place. My most reasonable explanation is that I got confused about the timeline and thought that this book was creating a second eviction scare for the Kittredges, instead of going into detail about the first. Still, it baffles me that I strongly disliked this years ago, because I absolutely loved it this time around.
This book is essentially Kit #3.5. It picks up with the series story arc directly after Christmas, and fills in the details related to Aunt Millie saving the Kittredge's house, which other books only mention as a past event. This book does a great job of retroactively imagining what that might have looked like, and gives Ruthie a full, satisfying character arc.
Charlie, Kit's older brother, also has a significant role. Kit disappears into the background for most of this book, which may have contributed to my disappointment and negativity in 2007, but I think that this story works well the way that it is, and I loved seeing more of Charlie, since his appearances throughout the series are usually minor. His interactions with Ruthie are a great part of this book, and I love the way that their contrasting personalities catalyze some of Ruthie's character growth.
This story is very well-plotted, and even though a few elements require readers to suspend disbelief, this is more realistic and believable than I remembered, and is full of great messages about love, friendship, and the importance of helping and supporting other people for the right reasons, not just because you want to be thanked. This book also shows how it is possible for people to love fairy tales, as Ruthie does, while still being honest about harsh realities and engaging with the real world. C.S. Lewis always had a lot to say on that subject, and I appreciate the way that this book shows Ruthie's love of fairy tales from her own perspective, instead of just through the lens of Kit's forbearance with it.
I hugely enjoyed this, and I am very glad that I took a risk and spent a ThriftBooks free book reward on this to complete my set. I remembered so little about it that I wanted to see if I would have a different take in my current life stage, and I absolutely did! I am incredibly thankful that I gave this another chance, and would recommend it to future readers as part of the series, not just an optional add-on.
This book is essentially Kit #3.5. It picks up with the series story arc directly after Christmas, and fills in the details related to Aunt Millie saving the Kittredge's house, which other books only mention as a past event. This book does a great job of retroactively imagining what that might have looked like, and gives Ruthie a full, satisfying character arc.
Charlie, Kit's older brother, also has a significant role. Kit disappears into the background for most of this book, which may have contributed to my disappointment and negativity in 2007, but I think that this story works well the way that it is, and I loved seeing more of Charlie, since his appearances throughout the series are usually minor. His interactions with Ruthie are a great part of this book, and I love the way that their contrasting personalities catalyze some of Ruthie's character growth.
This story is very well-plotted, and even though a few elements require readers to suspend disbelief, this is more realistic and believable than I remembered, and is full of great messages about love, friendship, and the importance of helping and supporting other people for the right reasons, not just because you want to be thanked. This book also shows how it is possible for people to love fairy tales, as Ruthie does, while still being honest about harsh realities and engaging with the real world. C.S. Lewis always had a lot to say on that subject, and I appreciate the way that this book shows Ruthie's love of fairy tales from her own perspective, instead of just through the lens of Kit's forbearance with it.
I hugely enjoyed this, and I am very glad that I took a risk and spent a ThriftBooks free book reward on this to complete my set. I remembered so little about it that I wanted to see if I would have a different take in my current life stage, and I absolutely did! I am incredibly thankful that I gave this another chance, and would recommend it to future readers as part of the series, not just an optional add-on.
littleseal's review against another edition
I haven't re-read 'Nellie's Promise' yet (at the time of this review) to say for certain but this is my favorite of the 'Best Friend' books! Ruthie is clearly a great friend and person. I love the lesson she ends up learning at the end as it shows great maturity. I love that she spends more time with Charlie instead of making this more of an extension of Kit's story, even though it technically is. Overall, a cute story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
With Kit being my favourite American Girl, I can't believe I'd never read Ruthie's story, so it was nice to do so. She is actually a fantastic character, like I am sad I missed out when I was a kid. Like I related to her more so than Kit I think just because Kit is sort of the cool person I wished I could be when I was 10 but Ruthie is a bit less sure of herself
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism
simplyparticular's review against another edition
3.0
It was interesting getting inside Ruthie's head, especially after reading 4 straight Kit novels. When AG came out with the "best friends" dolls I figure it was just an excuse to seel more dolls, but having read this series, Ruthie is a real distinct character, one that I like more than Kit in some ways.