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American Girl Mysteries
A Spy On The Home Front: A Molly Mystery
During a visit to her grandparents' Illinois farm in 1944, ten-year-old Molly tries to prove the innocence of a German-American neighbor whom the FBI suspects of smuggling anti-American propaganda. Includes historical notes about life on the home front in World War II.During a visit to her grandparents' Illinois farm in 1944, ten-year-old Molly tries to prove the innocence of a German-American neighbor whom the FBI suspects of smuggling anti-American propaganda.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2005
About the author
Alison Hart
71 books77 followersAlison Hart is a pseudonym for writer Alice Leonhardt
A Virginia author of over twenty mysteries and historical fiction novels for children and teens, loves “writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages.” At the age of seven she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog, a book which she shows to readers to make the point that it is never too early to be an author.
A Virginia author of over twenty mysteries and historical fiction novels for children and teens, loves “writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages.” At the age of seven she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog, a book which she shows to readers to make the point that it is never too early to be an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 24, 2026
"I guess some folks wonder which side the Schulzr are on now that America is at war with Germany."
"Folks ought to mind their own business," Granpa said gruffly.
Every summer Molly goes to visit her Grandparents and Aunt Eleanor in the country, though this summer she's visiting alone.
She's a little bummed because Aunt Eleanor will be gone most of this visit because she is a WASP (a pilot, helping out the army) but at least Molly can hang out with her friend Anna, who lives nearby.
As the second week of her two-week trip dawns, Molly begins noticing something odd. People are whispering and rumors are spreading.
"The child does not have to know everything," Granpa said ...
"But this concerns her friends Anna's family ... she has a right to know what's going on."
When some anti-war pamphlets are discovered, all fingers point towards Max, Anna's older brother, who works at the same airfield that Aunt Eleanor flies in and out of.
With less than a week left of vacation, Molly knows that she needs to do something otherwise Anna's family could lose Max forever.
"How are we going to help max?" Anna asked. "We're just kids."
So, most of the book was at a 4-star level for me.
I really loved seeing the depth of Molly's character and I thought that the author did a really good job of writing Molly in the style of the previous books (for context, the mystery novels were often taken on by different authors).
It can be really hard to take on a character who has such an extensive background and develop something new with them - and I do think Allison Hart captured "Molly" in print.
Unfortunately the mystery reveal brought it down - the various clues felt really telegraphed and the grand reveal was more of an 'oh that's it?' than a surprise to me.
I did like the very the end - - it felt realistic and sobering.
I like how it made me think about what life was like for families that went through similar situations and it provided children with a peek into the hard decisions immigrants would need to make.
Overall, I did like reading most of this one...just could've used a bit more work on the mystery aspect.
More reviews in the Molly-verse
Main Series:
Meet Molly - ★★★☆☆
Molly Learns a Lesson - ★★★☆☆
Molly's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Molly - ★★☆☆☆
Molly Saves the Day - ★★★★☆
Changes for Molly - ★★★★☆
Molly's Boxed Set - ★★★☆☆
Best Friend Book
Brave Emily - ★★★★★
Short Stories:
Molly's A+ Partner - ★★★★☆
Molly Takes Flight - ★★★★☆
Molly and the Movie Star - ★★★★☆
Molly's Puppy Tale - ★★★★★
Molly Marches On - ★★★★☆
Molly's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆
Mystery Books
Clues in the Shadows - ★★★★☆
The Light in the Cellar - ★★★★☆
A Spy on the Home Front - ★★★☆☆
Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2018)
A Winning Spirit: A Molly Classic Vol 1 - ★★★☆☆
Stars and Stripes: A Molly Classic Vol 2 - ★★★☆☆
Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2022):
Molly: A Winning Spirit - ★★★★☆
(NOTE: They have not re-released the second book yet)
Molly's Historical and Activity Books
Molly's Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Molly's Craft Book - ★★★★☆
Molly's Route 66 Adventure - ★★★★★
Molly's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
Welcome to Molly's World - ★★★★★
Additional Historical and Activity Books Featuring Molly
American Girls Cookbook - ★★★★★
American Girl Cross-Stitch - ★★☆☆☆
The American Girls Party Book - ★★★★★
American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook - ★☆☆☆☆
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From American Girl - ★★★☆☆
The Making of American Girl - ★★★★★
Minute Mysteries - ★★★★☆
Minute Mysteries 2 - ★★★★☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Beginner Reader & Picture Books
Molly's Christmas Surprise (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
My First American Girl Boxed Set - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
June 26, 2022
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This was an interesting little WWII mystery. Molly, living on the farm with her grandparents for the summer, befriends a German girl and grows interested in her + her family. When a letter arrives telling of how the Schulz’s German friends somewhere else have been placed in a concentration camp, and then Max Schulz is arrested for spreading “anti-American propaganda,” Anna and Molly are determined to do what the grownups won’t and prove the Schulzs are good, innocent German-Americans.
It wasn’t a bad little story. Aunt Eleanor, Grandpa, and Grandma were cute, and I liked Max. Molly & Anna did some very inconsistent and confusing things at time—and the position of the story was confusing with the Molly canon—but it was a quick, easy read. What I really liked about it was how it tackled prejudice and the fact that often the wrong people are blamed for things their ethnicity is seen as doing—for instance, how Arabic-Americans are assumed to be the ones doing pro-Islam activity when actually it’s plain, ordinary Americans who do it.
Content: euphemisms, some lying, deception, sneaking around, etc, girls in trousers.
It wasn’t a bad little story. Aunt Eleanor, Grandpa, and Grandma were cute, and I liked Max. Molly & Anna did some very inconsistent and confusing things at time—and the position of the story was confusing with the Molly canon—but it was a quick, easy read. What I really liked about it was how it tackled prejudice and the fact that often the wrong people are blamed for things their ethnicity is seen as doing—for instance, how Arabic-Americans are assumed to be the ones doing pro-Islam activity when actually it’s plain, ordinary Americans who do it.
Content: euphemisms, some lying, deception, sneaking around, etc, girls in trousers.
October 22, 2021
If they had had these American Girl mysteries when I was a kid, I would have inhaled every single one. Repeatedly. I had a great time reading this, spending time with my childhood pal Molly as she tries to figure out who is spreading anti-American propaganda near her grandparents' house. Although I figured out the culprit early on, I didn't see the ending coming, so that was well done.
October 14, 2022
I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. It’s started off decent, but when it got to the thick of the plot, it became a bit far fetched. The main characters were very sneaky and deceptive and it could have (should have?) ended a lot worse for them as a result. The plot twists were good, but the conclusion of those twists was not handled the best. The conclusion of the book itself was well done. I appreciated the references to the WASPs in WW2 and their contribution to the war effort, as well as the emphasis on the hardships that German-, Italian-, and Japanese-Americans faced during the war.
November 4, 2024
I'm glad AG - very belatedly in this mystery - tackled internment camps in WW2. The actual details of how Molly solved this mystery asked you to really suspend your disbelief, though. More then is usually required. The FBI needs to start worrying a bit more about how the hell this 10 year old keeps getting into their airfield thats all I'm saying.
April 15, 2012
In this mystery, Molly unmasks a Nazi sympathizer in her home state of Illinois. When I reread this last night, I had no idea how culturally relevant it was about to be again, and was shocked to get on Twitter today and see the trending topic #IllinoisNazis, with pictures of a few anti-lockdown demonstrators with Nazi images and slogans on their picket signs.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and that is why I am grateful for books like this. As a child, I liked this less than other American Girl mysteries, but now that I have bought a used copy and read it again, I remember why. It wasn't because the mystery was subpar, or because the resolution wasn't convincing, as I might have suspected; it was because the story addresses the reality of internment camps for German and Japanese Americans and has a realistically bittersweet ending. When I was a child, I found this book frustrating not because of any flaw within it, but because I was so outraged over the injustice.
I can't believe that I forgot so much about this book. I remembered that a German family's teenage son fell under suspicion for illegal activities at the airfield where he worked, and I remembered Aunt Eleanor teasing Molly for holding her book upside down when she had just run away from an eavesdropping spot and was pretending to read, but that was it. I didn't remember that this was likely one of the first sources where I learned about loyal Americans being forced to leave their homes, belongings, and livelihoods behind to live in internment camps because of their heritage and imagined loyalties. I can see why I found this so incredibly depressing as a kid, but it's a good book.
This story is realistic, moving, and educational. In addition to addressing the prejudice that German Americans experienced, it also provides a picture of 1944 farm life, teaches about anti-American groups who opposed the war effort, and covers the WASP program. I remember liking Aunt Eleanor a lot in the side books about Molly, and she plays a major role in this one, even more so than I had remembered. I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
There are just a few notable flaws. The pacing is a off partway through the book, and Molly constantly disobeys and lies to authority figures in order to investigate the mystery. However, what distracted and bothered me the most was the glaring continuity issue in the opening scene. Molly and her friend Anna are making cannonballs in the lake, as they do "every year," but Molly had just gotten over her fear of the water while at camp that same summer. Clearly, Allison Hart looked for a memorable opening scene without referring to Valerie Tripp's existing canon, and the repeated references to summer camp throughout the book highlight this careless error.
However, despite these flaws, this is a great book, and I appreciated it more as an adult, since all of my illusions have already been shattered and it is easier for me to cope with the harsh realities of historical injustices. This book provides a clear, compassionate image of the ways that loyal American families with German backgrounds suffered on the home front during World War II, and educates readers about Japanese and German internment camps through the characters' conversations and worries, and through the detailed, photographically illustrated historical note in the back. Even though the book ends on a bittersweet note, that is also realistic, and this book is incredibly worthwhile. I'm glad to own it as part of my American Girl library.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and that is why I am grateful for books like this. As a child, I liked this less than other American Girl mysteries, but now that I have bought a used copy and read it again, I remember why. It wasn't because the mystery was subpar, or because the resolution wasn't convincing, as I might have suspected; it was because the story addresses the reality of internment camps for German and Japanese Americans and has a realistically bittersweet ending. When I was a child, I found this book frustrating not because of any flaw within it, but because I was so outraged over the injustice.
I can't believe that I forgot so much about this book. I remembered that a German family's teenage son fell under suspicion for illegal activities at the airfield where he worked, and I remembered Aunt Eleanor teasing Molly for holding her book upside down when she had just run away from an eavesdropping spot and was pretending to read, but that was it. I didn't remember that this was likely one of the first sources where I learned about loyal Americans being forced to leave their homes, belongings, and livelihoods behind to live in internment camps because of their heritage and imagined loyalties. I can see why I found this so incredibly depressing as a kid, but it's a good book.
This story is realistic, moving, and educational. In addition to addressing the prejudice that German Americans experienced, it also provides a picture of 1944 farm life, teaches about anti-American groups who opposed the war effort, and covers the WASP program. I remember liking Aunt Eleanor a lot in the side books about Molly, and she plays a major role in this one, even more so than I had remembered. I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
There are just a few notable flaws. The pacing is a off partway through the book, and Molly constantly disobeys and lies to authority figures in order to investigate the mystery. However, what distracted and bothered me the most was the glaring continuity issue in the opening scene. Molly and her friend Anna are making cannonballs in the lake, as they do "every year," but Molly had just gotten over her fear of the water while at camp that same summer. Clearly, Allison Hart looked for a memorable opening scene without referring to Valerie Tripp's existing canon, and the repeated references to summer camp throughout the book highlight this careless error.
However, despite these flaws, this is a great book, and I appreciated it more as an adult, since all of my illusions have already been shattered and it is easier for me to cope with the harsh realities of historical injustices. This book provides a clear, compassionate image of the ways that loyal American families with German backgrounds suffered on the home front during World War II, and educates readers about Japanese and German internment camps through the characters' conversations and worries, and through the detailed, photographically illustrated historical note in the back. Even though the book ends on a bittersweet note, that is also realistic, and this book is incredibly worthwhile. I'm glad to own it as part of my American Girl library.
August 10, 2021
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
You know what most stuck out to me in this one? Why is it so easy to get onto the airfield all the time? Do they even have a fence? Molly, a ten-year-old kid, continually wanders around the grounds by herself and no one questions it. I get that this is not a full Army post, but this seems lacking when there’s a war on. If brand new warplanes are coming through, seems like there would be some semblance of security?
To the adult reader, there are not a lot of surprises here, partly because there are not a lot of viable suspects. Molly’s family and friends are out – the end is dark enough without having the traitor be one of the Schultzes all along, and the idea it could be Aunt Eleanor is laughable. And we just don’t meet that many other characters. As in most TV mysteries, the answer to whodunit is someone you meet about a third of the way through.
I also wish we got a better sense of who Anna is as a person – after the first few pages, her only characterization is being worried and scared. Why does the Gowanagin cap work so well as a touchstone? Were Molly’s camp stories and songs that fascinating to Anna? Molly cares about Anna, so we do too, at least a little, but she’s a pretty blank slate.
I was amused that Molly keeps comparing herself to fictional detectives – Nancy Drew or characters from her radio show. It really is so odd that AG decided to take characters that had been designed to be “girls just like you” and decide that all of them should also solve mysteries from time to time. Four mysteries in, that seems to lead to a lot of sneaking and snooping and being in the right place at the right time to make it all work. I’m curious to see if they can do anything else with the premise.
You know what most stuck out to me in this one? Why is it so easy to get onto the airfield all the time? Do they even have a fence? Molly, a ten-year-old kid, continually wanders around the grounds by herself and no one questions it. I get that this is not a full Army post, but this seems lacking when there’s a war on. If brand new warplanes are coming through, seems like there would be some semblance of security?
To the adult reader, there are not a lot of surprises here, partly because there are not a lot of viable suspects. Molly’s family and friends are out – the end is dark enough without having the traitor be one of the Schultzes all along, and the idea it could be Aunt Eleanor is laughable. And we just don’t meet that many other characters. As in most TV mysteries, the answer to whodunit is someone you meet about a third of the way through.
I also wish we got a better sense of who Anna is as a person – after the first few pages, her only characterization is being worried and scared. Why does the Gowanagin cap work so well as a touchstone? Were Molly’s camp stories and songs that fascinating to Anna? Molly cares about Anna, so we do too, at least a little, but she’s a pretty blank slate.
I was amused that Molly keeps comparing herself to fictional detectives – Nancy Drew or characters from her radio show. It really is so odd that AG decided to take characters that had been designed to be “girls just like you” and decide that all of them should also solve mysteries from time to time. Four mysteries in, that seems to lead to a lot of sneaking and snooping and being in the right place at the right time to make it all work. I’m curious to see if they can do anything else with the premise.
March 3, 2022
This is the third American Girl Mystery that I have read recently. Thus far, this was my least favorite. Apart from the things I didn't appreciate (golly/gee quite a bit, brief mention of vampires, main characters disobedient and deceptive to parents), I also felt that the story line (and what the girls did to solve the mystery) was the least believable of the American Girl Mysteries that I have read.
I did, though, again appreciate the historical information related to the events in the book and that time period.
I did, though, again appreciate the historical information related to the events in the book and that time period.
October 4, 2024
I did like this for the most part, but I agree with other reviews of how far fetched the story is. I enjoyed the aspect of Molly visiting her grandparents’ farm as well as spending time with her friend, Anna, and I was interested in the mystery. But by the time it got to Molly attempting to solve the case on her own and what the repercussions were for that… it was a little disappointing to read that she really didn’t get any? I have a hard time believing Molly could be that sneaky and no one was the wiser. I understand this is a book for younger readers, but there are aspects of war and internment camps in here, yet no consequences for trying to find out who is behind the anti-American propaganda? It dumbs down the story. The ending was sad, but more realistic I suppose. I’d like to think that Molly and Anna will be reunited again someday…
2.5 stars since the mystery was lacking, 3+ stars for historical background, including info on WASPs
2.5 stars since the mystery was lacking, 3+ stars for historical background, including info on WASPs
December 9, 2018
I actually learned from this book! I never heard of WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots, not White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) before. That's so cool. And I liked the ending actually. I wish it had ended more happily, but I like that it wasn't all brushed away. And I liked the classic American Girl script of kids and girls being able to do stuff too, of course. And the message that a small act won't change the bigger stuff but it can make someone happier at least.
October 26, 2025
It is always so great when books work to tackle the truth about issues during wartimes
March 7, 2010
FREE READING PROJECT!!!! 1st part in goodreads
Book: "A spy on the homefroont"
Author: Alison Hart
Genre: nonfiction
I choose this book because the title looked mysteriously and i love books that have mysteries.
This book is about a girl who's name is Molly and she goes to visit her granparents on the summer. Molly has a friend , her name is Ana and she is part GERMAN.Everything goes perfect on summer except when Aunt Eleanor flies for a visit she unknowingly brings trouble and a frughtenning mystery. Molly starts to look for clues but she discovers something else. The purpose of this book is to show people that even the truthfull friends can be changed by the time of the war.
I loved this book because it is very well organized and it is very intresting how Molly finds out what happens. Yes , I would recomend this book to a friend because it is a very intresting book,that shows you how the war can torn truth apart and doubts can be wrong,I learned so much from this book about history because it shows too , things that the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler wanted Germany to be racially "pure" and he condemned allot of people to death! Some american people hated but others joined him!
Book: "A spy on the homefroont"
Author: Alison Hart
Genre: nonfiction
I choose this book because the title looked mysteriously and i love books that have mysteries.
This book is about a girl who's name is Molly and she goes to visit her granparents on the summer. Molly has a friend , her name is Ana and she is part GERMAN.Everything goes perfect on summer except when Aunt Eleanor flies for a visit she unknowingly brings trouble and a frughtenning mystery. Molly starts to look for clues but she discovers something else. The purpose of this book is to show people that even the truthfull friends can be changed by the time of the war.
I loved this book because it is very well organized and it is very intresting how Molly finds out what happens. Yes , I would recomend this book to a friend because it is a very intresting book,that shows you how the war can torn truth apart and doubts can be wrong,I learned so much from this book about history because it shows too , things that the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler wanted Germany to be racially "pure" and he condemned allot of people to death! Some american people hated but others joined him!
August 25, 2012
It is August 1944. America is involved in WWII. Molly (age 10) is visiting her grandparents' farm.
But Molly and her friend Anna Schulz find that the war at home is much more than Victory gardens and collecting cans. Anna's brother, Max, is falsely arrested. Another German family is placed in an internment camp. To prove Max's innocence and solve this mystery, Molly and Anna must lie and mislead their elders. This historical mystery provides a German glossary and a vivid description of security and life on the home front during World War II.
But Molly and her friend Anna Schulz find that the war at home is much more than Victory gardens and collecting cans. Anna's brother, Max, is falsely arrested. Another German family is placed in an internment camp. To prove Max's innocence and solve this mystery, Molly and Anna must lie and mislead their elders. This historical mystery provides a German glossary and a vivid description of security and life on the home front during World War II.
October 30, 2021
This Molly mystery was interesting and an overall good edition to the series. It addressed the unfairness of World War II and how simply being a German, Japanese, or Italian living in the US at the time subjected you to suspicion. It’s Goodreads had half star rating I would rate this book a 4.5.
October 24, 2026
I liked this book a lot when I was a kid, so I was disappointed to find it both slow and unrealistic upon rereading it as an adult. There are many issues I have with this book. First of all, Molly is so out of character that she's unrecognizable. But I actually hate Molly's established character, so I guess it's fine? I probably would have liked this book even less if Molly was acting like Molly instead of like random girl detective dropped into the 1940s. Molly seems suspiciously caring towards Anna and suspiciously un-jealous of Anna's skills. Has she been abducted by Miss Mundis's aliens? (I'm fresh off the heels of reading Kit's Rivermead Manor mystery.)
Anyway, this book raises important topics, such as the internment of German Americans (and Japanese Americans) during World War II. The historical setting is much more important to this book than most of Molly's other books, which involve things like summer camp, Halloween, tap dancing, perming her hair, etc. So that aspect of the book was fine. But it really fails as a mystery. It's not a solve along, and the mystery also isn't very complicated. It's shocking that Molly would have found evidence that actual FBI agents weren't able to find, and also Molly sneaking around the air field without anyone noticing also seems unrealistic, given that it's literally a base for military planes; I'm sure they have pretty good security. So it fails as a mystery, it fails as a character study because Molly is so out of character, and I guess it's fine at fleshing out Molly's world, but because it's Molly and because the mystery is so poorly developed, I just couldn't bring myself to care very much.
Also Molly and Anna getting locked by Mr. Kay in the shack seems cartoonishly evil. Just because a person disagrees with the way America is fighting in World War II doesn't mean that person is such a villain that he would lock two eleven-year-olds in a shed where they might literally die because no one knows they're there in order to prevent them from telling his secret to the FBI. That reminded me of the danger Samantha was in in The Cry of the Loon. Most adults actually don't want to seriously hurt children, so when adults do this kind of things in children's books (especially when they face no consequences for it and the book doesn't treat it as literally the worst thing a person can possibly do), I'm always side eyeing. Also Aunt Eleanor magically discovering them within maybe minutes, certainly less than an hour, in what is usually a completely deserted shack with cobwebs everywhere, doesn't seem realistic either.
Also, I didn't notice this as a kid, but as an adult, this book kind of seems like patriotic propaganda. Like yes, the US government really did go after Silver Shirts during World War II...but also the propaganda shown in this book is SO tame, it's basically just telling soldiers not to support America by fighting in the war. America is a country with (ostensibly) free speech. Why should telling American soldiers to stop fighting be a criminal offence investigated by the FBI? It seemed odd that the book was taking this point of view for granted and showing Mr. Kay being a Silver Shirt as like the worst thing a person could possibly be, when people in my view should be allowed, in a healthy democracy, to have disagreements about whether war is justified, and should be allowed to voice those opinions to whomever they choose. A country prohibiting people from publicly criticizing its war is a country that is actually fascist and not democratic at all.
I know in real life the Silver Shirts did a lot more than just telling soldiers not to fight in the war, and that their vision was a fascist vision rather than simply a pacifist one (as one might mistakenly think based on the book), but the book doesn't provide context about any of that; it just shows some propaganda leaflets that apparently should lead to criminal punishments, and Molly is a patriotic hero for ratting out Mr. Kay. Like I understand why she did it (Eleanor and Max were going to be blamed otherwise), but getting people into trouble for free speech is also not great. Overall, this book is kind of a mess.
Anyway, this book raises important topics, such as the internment of German Americans (and Japanese Americans) during World War II. The historical setting is much more important to this book than most of Molly's other books, which involve things like summer camp, Halloween, tap dancing, perming her hair, etc. So that aspect of the book was fine. But it really fails as a mystery. It's not a solve along, and the mystery also isn't very complicated. It's shocking that Molly would have found evidence that actual FBI agents weren't able to find, and also Molly sneaking around the air field without anyone noticing also seems unrealistic, given that it's literally a base for military planes; I'm sure they have pretty good security. So it fails as a mystery, it fails as a character study because Molly is so out of character, and I guess it's fine at fleshing out Molly's world, but because it's Molly and because the mystery is so poorly developed, I just couldn't bring myself to care very much.
Also Molly and Anna getting locked by Mr. Kay in the shack seems cartoonishly evil. Just because a person disagrees with the way America is fighting in World War II doesn't mean that person is such a villain that he would lock two eleven-year-olds in a shed where they might literally die because no one knows they're there in order to prevent them from telling his secret to the FBI. That reminded me of the danger Samantha was in in The Cry of the Loon. Most adults actually don't want to seriously hurt children, so when adults do this kind of things in children's books (especially when they face no consequences for it and the book doesn't treat it as literally the worst thing a person can possibly do), I'm always side eyeing. Also Aunt Eleanor magically discovering them within maybe minutes, certainly less than an hour, in what is usually a completely deserted shack with cobwebs everywhere, doesn't seem realistic either.
Also, I didn't notice this as a kid, but as an adult, this book kind of seems like patriotic propaganda. Like yes, the US government really did go after Silver Shirts during World War II...but also the propaganda shown in this book is SO tame, it's basically just telling soldiers not to support America by fighting in the war. America is a country with (ostensibly) free speech. Why should telling American soldiers to stop fighting be a criminal offence investigated by the FBI? It seemed odd that the book was taking this point of view for granted and showing Mr. Kay being a Silver Shirt as like the worst thing a person could possibly be, when people in my view should be allowed, in a healthy democracy, to have disagreements about whether war is justified, and should be allowed to voice those opinions to whomever they choose. A country prohibiting people from publicly criticizing its war is a country that is actually fascist and not democratic at all.
I know in real life the Silver Shirts did a lot more than just telling soldiers not to fight in the war, and that their vision was a fascist vision rather than simply a pacifist one (as one might mistakenly think based on the book), but the book doesn't provide context about any of that; it just shows some propaganda leaflets that apparently should lead to criminal punishments, and Molly is a patriotic hero for ratting out Mr. Kay. Like I understand why she did it (Eleanor and Max were going to be blamed otherwise), but getting people into trouble for free speech is also not great. Overall, this book is kind of a mess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
I have wanted to read these cute little American Girl chapter mysteries for a while and I needed a short little book to read while I waited for a book on hold in the library.
I fell in love with the American Girl Books back in elementary school nearly 30 years ago. These books are some of the best historical fiction stories written for young girls. Anyway, this one did not disappoint. For an adult, I was somewhat entertained though I saw the solution to the mystery coming. But for a young reader, I feel like the suspense is very exciting.
What I love most about these books is the historical aspect— getting young readers interested in a different era. Because it involves relatable and lovable characters, kids hardly realize they are actually learning historical facts. The last few pages filled with actual historical information as it relates to the book is especially special and a wonderful addition to each American Girl book. It brings the learning full circle.
Anyway, if you enjoyed American Girl books or if you have a young reader who enjoys mysteries, this is a GREAT chapter book to get them hooked.
I fell in love with the American Girl Books back in elementary school nearly 30 years ago. These books are some of the best historical fiction stories written for young girls. Anyway, this one did not disappoint. For an adult, I was somewhat entertained though I saw the solution to the mystery coming. But for a young reader, I feel like the suspense is very exciting.
What I love most about these books is the historical aspect— getting young readers interested in a different era. Because it involves relatable and lovable characters, kids hardly realize they are actually learning historical facts. The last few pages filled with actual historical information as it relates to the book is especially special and a wonderful addition to each American Girl book. It brings the learning full circle.
Anyway, if you enjoyed American Girl books or if you have a young reader who enjoys mysteries, this is a GREAT chapter book to get them hooked.
August 5, 2023
(3.5 / 5)
Having just read the main Molly series, I read the first Molly mystery to follow it up. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really have the style and heart of the main series. No one from the main series, besides Molly herself, is in this book, and Molly's summer friend Anna doesn't really have much of a personality. I do like the historical information regarding German-Americans placed in internment camps, the pro-Nazi Silver Legion, and the WASPs, of which Molly's aunt is one. This book also has a "Looking Back" section like the main series books, which goes into detail more on each of these points. The mystery in the book, which involved tracking down a Silver Legion member who was sending anti-American propaganda flyers out via planes at a local airfield, was not terribly complicated, but it was a decent vehicle for the history, keeping the book from feeling dry. Molly's strategic and slightly manipulative personality from the main series does continue here, making it a decent follow-up for anyone who has read the main series, though it could be read as a stand-alone too.
Having just read the main Molly series, I read the first Molly mystery to follow it up. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really have the style and heart of the main series. No one from the main series, besides Molly herself, is in this book, and Molly's summer friend Anna doesn't really have much of a personality. I do like the historical information regarding German-Americans placed in internment camps, the pro-Nazi Silver Legion, and the WASPs, of which Molly's aunt is one. This book also has a "Looking Back" section like the main series books, which goes into detail more on each of these points. The mystery in the book, which involved tracking down a Silver Legion member who was sending anti-American propaganda flyers out via planes at a local airfield, was not terribly complicated, but it was a decent vehicle for the history, keeping the book from feeling dry. Molly's strategic and slightly manipulative personality from the main series does continue here, making it a decent follow-up for anyone who has read the main series, though it could be read as a stand-alone too.
January 30, 2024
Is a part of the American Girl Mystery series. In this book Molly in the last 2 weeks of visiting her grandparents finds out her grandparents' German neighbors are suspected by the FBI of being anti American. Molly makes it her job to prove they're innocent.
This book is not particularly ground breaking but does a good job of using Molly to illustrate how during WWII many Germans in America were suspected of being Anti American and supporting Germany during the war. I like how they also introduced us Eleanor to talk about how many women became WASPS to help with the war effort.
Overall a quick read that's good if you want more world building from Molly's storyline.
This book is not particularly ground breaking but does a good job of using Molly to illustrate how during WWII many Germans in America were suspected of being Anti American and supporting Germany during the war. I like how they also introduced us Eleanor to talk about how many women became WASPS to help with the war effort.
Overall a quick read that's good if you want more world building from Molly's storyline.
Read
January 3, 2025I did not know about the interment camps for German folks in America. I shouldn't be surprised, as I knew about Japanese folks being forced into the "camps." But it still surprised me to see that information presented as it's never talked about it seems (either that or California is very focused on Japanese interment camps since we had a handful of them).
The ending to this mystery is a lot more somber than the other mysteries of American Girl. At the time of this review, I would argue that it is the most somber of them all.
The ending to this mystery is a lot more somber than the other mysteries of American Girl. At the time of this review, I would argue that it is the most somber of them all.
March 18, 2018
As Always Ms. Hart does a terrific job.
The truths about the horrific times for American Germans not to mention the Japanese
in America, during WWII, are projected well via the children in the book.
We are very lucky to not be living back then, with the continued threats of internment
camps and being watched by our neighbors and friends.
The illustrations by
Jean-Paul Tibbles are well placed with their appropriate descriptions
The truths about the horrific times for American Germans not to mention the Japanese
in America, during WWII, are projected well via the children in the book.
We are very lucky to not be living back then, with the continued threats of internment
camps and being watched by our neighbors and friends.
The illustrations by
Jean-Paul Tibbles are well placed with their appropriate descriptions
March 4, 2022
Well that one certainly didn’t end like we are accustomed to AG books/mysteries concluding! And it was a bit annoying that they didn’t keep consistency. They said Molly had enjoyed all her summers on the farm swimming in the pond when we know from her camp Gowanagin book there she loathed swimming and didn’t think she was good at it!
September 11, 2020
I hadn't realized German Americans were forced into internment camps during WWII. That said, this book has a very heavy tone and ends in a realistic, but not happy, way - just a warning for younger readers.
January 30, 2024
an excellent story!
A realistic world is created by the author that draws the reader in right away. Molly is one of the best American Girl characters. She is brave and does what she can to better the world around her.
A realistic world is created by the author that draws the reader in right away. Molly is one of the best American Girl characters. She is brave and does what she can to better the world around her.
June 13, 2024
found this one in my closet. it was meh. the ending was glaringly obvious and it contained way too many WWII references, which considering how much I hate history, was brutally boring to read through.
June 14, 2024
This was a good read, although not my favorite of the AG mysteries I have read due to some of the impracticalities of the storyline. My minor complaint is that the little bits of German used in the book needed to be grammatically accurate. It should be: meine Tochter and meine Frau.
August 8, 2017
Wasn't that much of a mystery, but I really enjoyed reading it. There was a lot to learn, especially if you are actually target age.
May 26, 2020
Reread this from years ago,I’m surprised it’s still just as good! Great plot,script and history lesson.
June 29, 2020
A good one...but would children really have access to the airfield like that with military planes there? And the FBI there investigating?
July 1, 2020
One of my all time faves from when I was in elementary school
April 1, 2021
My girls and I loved this one! It kept them on the edge of their seat and learned a good amount about life during WWII and prejudice.
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