Kaya learns a lesson about bragging. American Girl series set in 1764 among the Nez Perce.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked that the book was inspired by the Native American culture and that the main character is a young girl. This book is a part of a series so children can read more books about Kaya. The book had an abrupt ending which wanted me to read more books in the series too! I also enjoyed that the novel was aimed for young children. Since it is a part of the American Girls Collection, children are able to have a doll that looks exactly like the main character and wears traditional Native American clothing! ( )

I've decided to re-read/read the American Girl series. At the age of 25, I'm sure it's been more than a decade since I've read any of them. I loved these books so much as a kid and Kaya is one of the dolls that I own.

[SPOILERS BELOW]
I didn't like this book as much as I did all those years ago, mostly because of how abrupt the ending was. Speaking Rain almost drowns, but is saved by Kaya and the book almost immediately ends. I just wanted to see Speaking Rain again (even briefly) to be assured she's okay. There's no closure; it doesn't feel like an ending.

I also had a problem with Kaya's punishment. I understand the logic behind switching all of the children; I'm not complaining about that. I don't like the nickname that the whipping woman gives to Kaya. She was practically telling the children to bully Kaya. I do like the way that Kaya is taught to handle the nickname (i.e. to rise above it and become a person who no longer deserves the comparison), but it didn't sit right with me that the adults were totally fine with the cruel things the children were saying to Kaya. Kaya gets one good lesson out of it, but all of the children, including Kaya, are learning that it's okay to be so mean-spirited to each other.
[END SPOILERS]

On the other hand, I love how educational these books are, how the culture is exhibited throughout the story and then is shown in a more concentrated form at the end. And the illustrations have always been a high point for me. Especially the gorgeous horse Steps High. ( )

This is one of my favorite American Girl series. Kaya is the only Native American girl and the book does a good job of gently introducing kids to Early American History. ( )

Grade: 3rd and up

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: American Girl Kaya

Concept: U1.1 American Indian Life in the Americas
Describe the life of peoples living in North America before European exploration.
5 – U1.1.1 Use maps to locate peoples in the desert Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, the nomadic nations of the Great Plains, and the woodland peoples east of the Mississippi River (Eastern Woodland). (National Geography Standard 1, p. 144)

5 – U1.1.2 5 Compare how American Indians in the desert Southwest and the Pacific Northwest adapted to or modified the environment. (National Geography Standard 14, p. 171)
5 – U1.1.2 5 Describe Eastern Woodland American Indian life with respect to governmental and family structures, trade, and views on property ownership and land use.
(National Geography Standard 11, p. 164, C, E)

Summary: The American Girl Series usually pick a time period and creates a historical fiction story around a girl. In the Kaya Series, The chose a Nez Percae Indian as the main character. Kaya lives the life of a Nez Percae child and manages to get herself into trouble. It reflects the life of this tribe and also includes historical notes. This book has a bit of a boring start to it and it would be good to go over some of the culture before reading this book. In this book we are introduced to Kaya and her family. She loves her horse Steps high but gets into trouble when she decides to take on a challenge to a race. Her young twin brothers wander off during the race and even though they are found safe, all children involved must be punished. How will Kaya get her friends back? ( )