Meet Caroline

American Girl: Caroline #1

by Kathleen Ernst, Robert Papp (Illustrator), Lisa Papp (Illustrator)

Caroline Abbott is doing what she loves most—sailing on Lake Ontario with Papa—when her world turns upside down. A British officer boards their sloop, announces that Britain and America are at war, and takes her father prisoner. As Papa is led away, Caroline promises him that she will stay strong and steady until he returns. She tries hard to keep her promise by helping Mama run the family’s shipyard. Then the British attack her village and it looks as if the American side is in trouble. Can Caroline stay steady enough to help win the day?

Includes an illustrated "Looking Back" essay about America in 1812.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, New York

91 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

I grew up in Maryland, in a house full of books! Both of my parents were avid readers, thank goodness. Before we traveled to a new area, my librarian-mom used to bring home historical novels set in that place. It was a great way to get excited about history.

I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).

For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I am an adult, and I enjoy reading these books. I grew up with the classic 4 girls: Kirstin, Samantha, Molly, and Felicity, since she had just been created the year I started reading. And ever since then, a culture and following has started for these America Girls, not to mention a slew of girls to follow, books, dolls, clothes, accessories, and movies!

But these books told a fun story and helped us young girls realize what it was like to live back in each time period. Something young girls and adults can relate to.

While I am more true to the first 4, this newly created character, caught my eye. Truth be told, more because she is my namesake, and loves ice skating and sailing. But, more importantly, her time period, 1812, is what really caught my eye. Sure we all know about the Revolutionary War (Felicity's time period covering that), but America certainly wasn't just free after that. It took many years for all the lands to be discovered and our own government to be established. And Caroline is sitting on the edge of another American revolution. This time America is calling war on Britain. And for a young girl, living on the American side, across from Canada where the British are located, her homeland is in a very strategic location.

While we may know how the war of 1812 ends, for Caroline, it is just beginning! Quick reads, and I can't wait to get the other books in her series!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had very low expectations for this book (which I am reading with my seven year old, who just got an American Girl doll for her birthdayJ), but I have to say, it was pretty good. My daughter is a bit of a history buff, which isn't really surprising since both my wife and I love history, so this short historical fiction book was right up all of our alleys. The main character, Caroline Abbot, lives on the shore of Lake Ontario when hostilities break out between the young United States and Great Britain. Her father is taken prisoner, and it is up to Caroline and her mother to keep their ship building company operational as a part of the war effort. The story culminates with an attack by the British Navy on Sacketts Harbor, NY, where the family lives.

This story is about 1,000 times better than the normal stuff my daughter wants me to read to her. I actually enjoyed this. I don't know much about the whole American Girl thing, but from what I've seen of Caroline Abbot, it's pretty well done. Thank God! I spent six years reading frigging Disney books and fairy books and My Pretty Pony books to my little girls. Torture! I'll take historical fiction with people shooting cannons at each other any day.

There are five books in this series. I am actually looking forward to reading them. Maybe I should get my own American Girl doll. The Revolutionary War one is so cute...

[daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐3.6

now i understand why i enjoyed getting ag doll books as a kid. they're so entertaining and i'm lowkey a history junkie so having the little description of the era in the book was so nice to see. especially since these books are catered to ages 8+. i loved it and can someone pls buy me the rest of the books ?? :))

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, reading for the first time as an adult, in advance of the American Girls podcast.

Looking at Caroline and not knowing much about her, I was curious: descriptions said she hoped to captain her own ship someday, and yet both the doll and the covers look very femme and dainty - loose, tumbling curls and bright gowns. So which is it, I wondered? Did they glam up the doll so she would be more appealing to buyers? Is she Jo March or Amy?

The first chapter makes clear that the answer is YES, BOTH. And I love it. She wants her merchant cousin to bring her embroidery thread and lace, and she also practices knots and is learning to sail. I am still curious about the historical accuracy of those glorious curls - they would just get in her way constantly; I suspect that aspect was still driven by dollmaking. The girls in the portrait at the beginning of the Peek Into the Past section have their hair pulled back. Perhaps AG didn't want yet another doll with braids...

Here's what stood out to me:

- Caroline's cute. A little naive and probably a little spoiled - a mix of much-loved only child and "oh you sweet summer child." (Never mind that her birthday is in October.) But that makes a good starting place.

- Once she gathers her courage to tell Lydia she hopes to captain a ship one day, it feels like she just can't stop talking about it. Until the British show up, anyway.

- The arrest is startling - and here we were all having such a nice time!

- Page 2: "Gosh, sure hope there won't be another war." Page 12: There's already a war on. Not so much foreshadowing as just dropping hints.

- Caroline makes the neighbor sound super obnoxious, the neighbor makes herself super obnoxious, but then she turns out to be good in a crisis. So does Caroline, we're happy to find.

- I am instantly in love with Caroline's mother. (I'd take a series from her point of view, please.) May the daughter grow to be as capable, brave and sensible as her mother.

- We are OFF TO THE RACES with this series. One nice slow scene to start and then BOOM! With actual cannon.

I feel for Caroline as she watches Lydia stepping away from childish things. In their case, there's an age gap, but I remember that happening even with friends my same age. Some girls were ready to move on to teenage things, and some of us weren't. Adolescence can be rough.

I love the idea of Caroline becoming a lady adventurer in the 1820s and '30s, as unlikely as that would be. I'm not even sure how to picture that. Caro in pants captaining a ship to all parts of the world? (Yes, want, though I know it's a HUGE stretch.) Caro in sensible-yet-ladylike clothes traveling the world and writing about everything? (Also a stretch, but I'm here for that story, too.) Caro going to India as a missionary's wife? (Plausible, if perhaps still unlikely for a girl from Sackett's Harbor, but I'll pass on this one.)

Here's a less epic but more likely future: she grows up and goes into business with her cousin Oliver or someone like him (which may or may not include marriage). OK, Oliver, you don't know how to source embroidery thread and lace? Caroline is all over that. She gets to do a little travel, a little sailing, a little bargaining, but still stays relatively close to home and family.


More Caroline babble

Meet Caroline | Caroline’s Secret Message | A Surprise for Caroline | Caroline Takes a Chance | Caroline’s Battle | Changes for Caroline

Traitor in the Shipyard | The Traveler’s Tricks | The Smuggler’s Secrets

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book first released, there hadn't been a high caliber American Girl historical series in years, and I wasn't expecting much. It thrilled me to discover that this was a great story, and I enjoyed the whole series and shared it with my younger sister. This year, I decided to reread it as part of my American Girl binge, and bought used copies of all the books. However, I held off on reading them for a few months, saving this series for a time when I really needed it.

At last, the time came. I had a horrible day, I felt terrible, and I didn't have the mental or emotional capacity to read anything else. I settled in and read all six books at once, and I enjoyed them tremendously. They were also a good reality check that put my problems into proportion, and I appreciate how well this series engages with the trauma of war and family separation.

The story is extremely well-researched, the characters are convincing and likable, and the historical note in the back is very detailed and informative. This is especially valuable since the War of 1812 is such a neglected subject. Even I, a history buff, knew almost nothing about it when these books first released. This book does a great job of explaining the issues involved and showing how they affected the main character's daily life.

I am thankful that American Girl published the Caroline series before converting to their new format and marketing platform. In some ways, I enjoyed this even more than I did in 2013, because I knew that the days of gorgeous illustrations and full historical notes were numbered. This was a wonderful last series in the traditional format, and the illustrations are exceptionally good, in terms of color, light, characterization, and historical detail. I highly recommend this, and in my opinion, it's the best American Girl series since Kit.

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January 2013 review:

I read this book partly to satisfy my own curiosity, and partly to preview it on my little sister's behalf. Frankly, I expected that it would be garbage. Imagine my surprise when I found it was actually an excellent book!

The last three American girl series were disappointments to varying degrees, but this one far surpasses the low standard set by Julie, even Rebecca, and Cecile/Marie Grace. The book is remarkably well-written, especially in comparison to that last AG installment. This prose was simple enough for a young reader without sounding stilted and disjointed.

The writing is solid, the lead character is likable, it's an interesting story, and there are lovely illustrations. If I liked it this much as a sixteen-year-old, then I would have enjoyed it even more when I was still within the targeted age range! It's great that the American Girl company has come out with a new series that measures up in many ways to the originals.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline's first book is a standout among the Meets in AG series. It's longer, more complex, and has higher stakes than any other character has in her first book, except Kirsten or Addy, but the conflict doesn't wrap up in the first volume. I liked how Caroline had her perky AG interest, which is sailing, but she also didn't disdain feminine interests and was shown to enjoy needlework. Eager to read the rest of the series.

[Sarah Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best American girl doll book I got kinda lost in the ship descriptions, this book was a wee bit boring

[Amelia]

I have to meet my reading goal somehow 😔

[Erin Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never read any of the Caroline books before and didn't expect to like them. I had no interest in the War of 1812, and Caroline's bright pink cover and dresses set me off. But by the end of this first book, i really took a shine to Caroline. She starts out acting a bit foolish and childish (she is 9 after all), but ends up making a sacrifice in a way that is brave and both physically and emotionally difficult. Caroline's grandmother and mother are also amazing, strong, courageous and wise women.

[Coleccionista de finales tristes · Rating 4 out of 5]

La edición que tengo es de 2014 la cual incluye los 3 primeros libros.

[RaspberryRoses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to the 6 book series... I've missed you dearly...

This was a fun one! Caroline feels like a very three-dimensional character, for lack of a better word - we're shown both her strengths and weaknesses, and a wide variety of her hobbies and interests. Which is a bit of a basic thing to praise it for, but these books really do live and die by how good their Girl is.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uh yes I’m counting an American Girl book toward my annual reading goal. I looked at the American Girl section at my library on a whim for nostalgia and thought I’d pick up Caroline’s book for the heck of it. This was honestly way more engrossing than I expected and fun to read. I’m embarrassed to say that I’m going to go back for the next one, because I’m in suspense.

[Spudpuppy]

I wasn't expecting this to be so high stakes, Caroline really went through it

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was WOW it was so interesting to read about these characters and a very dark point in history the war of 1812 is something that not everyone likes to talk about, but this really got me hooked I also loved the content of Caroline’s character she’s like Merida from Brave it was amazing I give this book a ten it was incredible.

[Elisheva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to Caroline. I decided to read Caroline’s books to follow along with the podcast, American Girls Podcast. Caroline feels somewhat generic - from her design to her story. I can see why she didn’t last long in the historical lineup. Imagine how much more interesting the story would have been if Caroline was Hosea Barton’s daughter and explored what it was like to be a freed Black person during the same time period instead of another generic blond-haired blue eyed middle class historical doll.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caroline was added to the American Girl Collection after I stopped reading them, so this was my first time reading her books. I must say I approve of her addition to the collection.

I particularly enjoyed a moment when Caroline objected to something and took the time to make sure she phrased it in a respectful way. I hate it when the heroes of children's books are bratty and rude. I like Caroline so far.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough. I'm reading this series so I can write a story as Caroline, our American Girl doll at the library. I want to be familiar with her voice to write a better piece.

[Kristian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The American Girl books, particularly the historical series, are written with an audience and purpose in mind. They aim to be about young girls, and to teach about how different (and similar!) life was for other young girls throughout American History. The stories typically focus on daily life and share lessons about friendship and having a good character (i.e. not to lie, to keep promises, to value family etc.) The Caroline series manages to do that- and be a good read at the same time.

While familiar with the War of 1812, Meet Caroline really made the time period come alive in a very real way. It is set along the coast of the Great Lakes- and the Canadian Border. Caroline is literally right where the British troops are too. Her father- like many men of that time- is taken as a prisoner of war. This, and the changes to daily life war takes, is the central tension in the book. Said tension really added to this story and made me, an adult, still looking forward to the next in the series.

Four stars- a fun, well written book that informs, but very definitely written with a rather narrow audience in mind. If you are looking for a book for an elementary girl (or boy!), I'd give it five stars.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the American Girls books that I have not read before. When my niece was younger, we read the original eight series before she lost interest as she grew older. I've not read any of Caroline, Cecile and Marie-Grace, Rebecca or Julie. I'm attempting to read in chronological order (though I did read Josefina before Caroline by mistake).

A very exciting adventure. Though I'm a history buff, I don't know much about the War of 1812 and I really appreciate the facts at the end of the book. I liked the way Caroline and Mrs. Shaw bonded later on in the book.

I'm basically taking a star off the rating because of the illustrations. Of the four series I've reread so far, these are my least favorite illustrations. A little too cartoonish. In the other books, the illustrations look lifelike. I also feel that I'm looking at modern characters dressed up in period costume.

I've ordered the next couple of books in the Caroline series and I'm eager to see what happens from here.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only American Girl series that I bought as adult. I've had them around for a while and decided to give them a shot! I absolutely loved the American Girl series as a kid and contribute reading them young as the beginning of my love affair with history (even got my bachelor's in history).

Caroline is obviously a child, so she can be a little silly and interrupts a lot, but she was brave and willing to sacrifice things without much thought to herself. This series covers the War of 1812, which is not a topic I know a lot about, so it was fun getting to know the time period a little better. I really enjoyed this first one and look forward to the rest of the series!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Review of the whole series)
This is what I'm looking for in American Girl books! The last few girls I've read have had pretty tame lives, low on trauma. Caroline, on the other hand, has had cannons fired at her on multiple occasions. Incredible. Completely unhinged scenarios to put a child in, which is kind of a staple of the AG genre.
The Looking Into the Past sections hold a lot less nuance than the older books about the ways America wasn't great for a lot of people, which was a bummer. But overall, I had fun with these.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first ever Caroline Abbott story that I have read back in 2013. I have to say, it was well written, excellent, and how the author (Kathleen Ernst) introduced all the characters in that story. Caroline was currently 9 years old, and her dad owned a sloop named "White Gull," which I thought was very interesting. I also really liked learning about the history of War of 1812 on the back of the book and that's how I really got to know Sacketts Harbor, New York.

[Lorin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute and quick read. I loved these stories when I was a little girl and I'm excited to see they have expanded the American Girl world to be more inclusive, but also to cover little known eras of America's history.

This one covers the war of 1812 and follows Caroline who is determined to grow up to be a sailor. She is a very strong and smart little girl, which made for an interesting read.

I read this for Believathon 2019.

[Jacqueline M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS is classic American Girl historical fiction. The story is engaging right off the bat (and there is trauma, but not to the level of the oldest characters yet), the characters are interesting, and the history in the background feels natural. I don't know much about this time period and appreciated the focus on this obscure part of our nation's history. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[TheBookishHobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading the series all the way through and I enjoyed this first entry into Caroline's world quite a bit. I found her love for sailing unique in the AG historical lineup of interests and I also love that she is a sewer like myself. This also developed an interesting plot with the imprisonment of her father and taught me a little bit about a war that does not get discussed enough in US history courses. Wonderful book!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book to share with a young girl at church. I read it before passing it on and I really enjoyed the story. It is wonderful how the author was able to weave history into a story about a young girl living on Lake Ontario and how her life was affected by the war of 1812. I highly recommend this book.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

As long as I'm rereading some American Girl stories, I figured I might also try to "catch up" on ones that I missed when they were new and never read. I enjoyed Caroline's story--she's an interesting, headstrong character and the backdrop of the War of 1812 was interesting as well since it's not a period I'm super knowledgeable about. I'm excited to read the rest of her stories.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an underappreciated American Girl book. It made me want to go sailing and taught me about the War of 1812. For some reason, I related to Caroline a lot, even though she literally fights in the War of 1812 and I never did. Maybe it’s because of her personality. Okay, it’s because Caroline is an only child, and all the others seemed to have siblings.

[Jessica Nicole Abercrombie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely didn’t even know this character existed before this year so surprise! Already, I really like Caroline as a character. I hope that she continues to grow and experience some character development throughout her series! I like the time period of this as well. I taught War of 1812 to my second graders so I picked up on a lot of the history referenced here!

[Danielle T · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alright introduction, about a war that isn't discussed as much as other ones in US history. Caroline is very much a daddy's girl (but not in a negative way) and wants to be a captain of her own ship one day, historical period be damned.