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American Girl: Short Stories #24
Kit's Home Run
Kit plays baseball under the disapproving eye of Mrs. Howard, who doesn't think she is much of a team player. But when Kit needs help, she may have to learn what team work really is. Illustrations.
46 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
272 books444 followersValerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 24, 2024
Obviously this is about Kit's love for baseball, but it also turns out to be a sweet tale about Mrs. Howard's talents at caring for others. She doesn't always come off well in Kit's core series, so it's really nice to get a little insight here into what makes her tick. Best of all, it's not just us the readers who come to understand her better: Kit does too. And best of all, Kit immediately translates her new understanding into action - one of Kit's best characteristics.
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
March 14, 2022
Really, really liked this one-it was so nice how Mrs. Howard and Kit bonded in this book and had a really sweet ending. Plus, it shows how Kit has sort of matured since the first book which also shows her development throughout her struggles with the Great Depression. Loved also how it showcased her love for baseball, and it had a really enjoyable looking back segment discussing the history of the sport during the 1930's which was appreciated.
October 28, 2022
Kit Kittredge 🤝 Kit Keller
Baseball
Baseball
July 11, 2024
So awkward that the Looking Back section reveals that the Cincinnati Reds were the worst team in the league until 1935 and you realize this story takes place in 1933 🫢 Sorry Kit your favorite baseball team is trash
May 20, 2016
There is a little girl named kit. she was out playing on a hot day in June afternoon. Kit was in her backyard playing baseball. Then one day they go out to the baseball game and sit very close to the ground were they play. When they were playing she saw a big man hit the ball and she jumped up screaming her head off. And guess what they got a GRAND SLAM! she was so happy. And she loves playing baseball.
February 4, 2024
This was fun. Kit's stories continue to be those that my boys enjoy and they were delighted when I found this short story about Kit playing baseball (they love baseball!) Kit is always spunky but I appreciate she is also attuned to the feelings of others. It's very sweet how she helps Mrs. Howard find a way to be useful doing something she loves -- I was touched by Mrs. Howard's story, reminding us that believing we are contributing something to the world, especially if it is something that we like to do, helps bring deeper meaning, and greater joy, to our lives.
Kit's stories are set very close to the town in Ohio where my grandparents grew up and where they started their family before they moved to California when my mom was ten so I especially enjoy inserting family history along the way (my mom's uncles were big Cincinnati Red's fans and my mom's mom played baseball with the neighborhood kids which most moms didn't do back then-- perhaps she was inspired by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League!)
Kit's stories are set very close to the town in Ohio where my grandparents grew up and where they started their family before they moved to California when my mom was ten so I especially enjoy inserting family history along the way (my mom's uncles were big Cincinnati Red's fans and my mom's mom played baseball with the neighborhood kids which most moms didn't do back then-- perhaps she was inspired by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League!)
October 17, 2023
Sterling's mother was not too happy with Kit when she ruined her roses while playing baseball. Kit couldn't understand why Mrs. Howard got so worked up and cranky over everything but she soon learned the woman just wanted to feel needed. Just like she just wanted to have some fun during this great depression.
After Kit got injured and Mrs. Howard helped her, she helped her find a place that made her happier too and in turn they both accepted and understood each other better!
Sometimes, just a little understanding and sympathy can go a long way to making someone's day. Beautiful story ☺️
After Kit got injured and Mrs. Howard helped her, she helped her find a place that made her happier too and in turn they both accepted and understood each other better!
Sometimes, just a little understanding and sympathy can go a long way to making someone's day. Beautiful story ☺️
August 8, 2025
This was a short, cute book! I really enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend this book for young readers who might not have the attention span for a whole American Girl book.
Things to be aware of in “Kit’s Home Run”
Language:
- 1 “gosh”
Read my full review here: https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/20...
Things to be aware of in “Kit’s Home Run”
Language:
- 1 “gosh”
Read my full review here: https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/20...
January 16, 2022
The year is 1934 and America is involved in the Great Depression. Kit finds solace and fun in her love of baseball even though she gets a bloody lip! She assists a boarder in finding a job and is happily rewarded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2022
As a short story, obviously a quick and easy read. I liked going through the emotions as we follow Kit being bratty and then her having a mature episode. She's just such a likable character and Valerie Tripp is very good at storytelling.
February 25, 2025
This was a bit too short to pack any kind of punch IMO. This one is definitely geared towards kids!
January 15, 2016
I really like Kit Kittredge. She is a fun American Girl character, who can be both a lady and a tomboy. This novella showcases her tomboyish side, where she loves playing baseball.
Playing baseball causes her to land on Stirling's mother's beloved roses, causing them much trauma, and warranting discipline for her. She believes the woman worries too much, and is not much of a team player. Only later does Kit see the woman's true colors.
After visiting the library to check out books, Kit joins in on a baseball game among the local children. Her home run scores a grand slam for the girls' team, and it injures her lip and eye area as well.
When Kit returns home, only Stirling's mother is around, so she is waiting to be screamed at about playing baseball again. Luckily, the woman takes her to the hospital instead. When Kit gets the woman a job at the hospitality/flower shop, Stirling's mother changes her view about baseball entirely - enough to take the children to a MLB game after awhile - and Kit comes to realize she isn't such a bad person after all.
Playing baseball causes her to land on Stirling's mother's beloved roses, causing them much trauma, and warranting discipline for her. She believes the woman worries too much, and is not much of a team player. Only later does Kit see the woman's true colors.
After visiting the library to check out books, Kit joins in on a baseball game among the local children. Her home run scores a grand slam for the girls' team, and it injures her lip and eye area as well.
When Kit returns home, only Stirling's mother is around, so she is waiting to be screamed at about playing baseball again. Luckily, the woman takes her to the hospital instead. When Kit gets the woman a job at the hospitality/flower shop, Stirling's mother changes her view about baseball entirely - enough to take the children to a MLB game after awhile - and Kit comes to realize she isn't such a bad person after all.
October 7, 2024
This is a very wholesome and heartwarming story about Kit learning to see "fussbudget" Mrs. Howard from a different perspective.
Mrs. Howard disapproves of Kit playing rough-and-tumble baseball, so Kit knows she's in for it when she comes home with a fat lip in need of stitches. However, Mrs. Howard cares for her as if Kit were her own child, and Kit comes to find out that Mrs. Howard feels like she needs a purpose. She's been living off the Kittredge's charity for a while, her husband has left her, she has no means of supporting herself...her life is pretty stressful.
Through a series of events, Kit helps get Mrs. Howard hired as a florist, and Mrs. Howard takes Kit and Stirling to a baseball game. Her lack of interest in this baseball game is the best part, because "poor, puzzled Mrs. Howard," just did it to make Kit happy. Love to see the Howards get on their feet and find new family, too.
Mrs. Howard disapproves of Kit playing rough-and-tumble baseball, so Kit knows she's in for it when she comes home with a fat lip in need of stitches. However, Mrs. Howard cares for her as if Kit were her own child, and Kit comes to find out that Mrs. Howard feels like she needs a purpose. She's been living off the Kittredge's charity for a while, her husband has left her, she has no means of supporting herself...her life is pretty stressful.
Through a series of events, Kit helps get Mrs. Howard hired as a florist, and Mrs. Howard takes Kit and Stirling to a baseball game. Her lack of interest in this baseball game is the best part, because "poor, puzzled Mrs. Howard," just did it to make Kit happy. Love to see the Howards get on their feet and find new family, too.
February 16, 2016
This is one of the American Girls Short Stories books. The story takes place during the depression. Kit and her parents own their own home, and have taken in boarders. Kit's friend, Stirling, play toss and Kit accidentally destroys a rose trellis that belongs to Stirling's mother (who is rather weird, though.)
Kit joins in a baseball game and hits a home run, but is her lip is injured when she dives and gets hit by the ball held by the catcher. Stirling's mother is nice to Kit when she gets home after being hurt, and Kit helps her get a job at the hospital gift shop.
Softball was first named “kittenball.”
In 1934, the Reds were the worst team in baseball.
Those are just two things from the historical section, plus, there's a section on how to personalize a baseball cap.
A good, short book in a number of ways.
Kit joins in a baseball game and hits a home run, but is her lip is injured when she dives and gets hit by the ball held by the catcher. Stirling's mother is nice to Kit when she gets home after being hurt, and Kit helps her get a job at the hospital gift shop.
Softball was first named “kittenball.”
In 1934, the Reds were the worst team in baseball.
Those are just two things from the historical section, plus, there's a section on how to personalize a baseball cap.
A good, short book in a number of ways.
October 21, 2021
This review is from the perspective of a mother - I think the moral of this tale is a little subtle for the target age.
Kit chafes about the fact that Mrs. Howard is always hovering and worrying over her friend Stirling, but everything changes when tomboy Kit needs a little mothering herself. When Kit realizes that Mrs. Howard needs to feel needed and likes to garden, a too-neat solution presents itself.
A decent short story that is very Kit-focused, but also includes interesting details about choldhood activities like sandlot baseball. I wish they would have taken the opportunity to include more about 1930s hospital care.
Kit chafes about the fact that Mrs. Howard is always hovering and worrying over her friend Stirling, but everything changes when tomboy Kit needs a little mothering herself. When Kit realizes that Mrs. Howard needs to feel needed and likes to garden, a too-neat solution presents itself.
A decent short story that is very Kit-focused, but also includes interesting details about choldhood activities like sandlot baseball. I wish they would have taken the opportunity to include more about 1930s hospital care.
May 27, 2009
I liked this book. I thought it had a good message and got its point across without being preachy or overbearing. I also liked how Kit finally understood Mrs. Howard and started to feel sympathy for her and her circumstances. I would recommend.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
August 12, 2011
Of course, at the time that I read this, I liked it, but that was like a decade ago, when I was sooooooo into the American Girl series. :p if I read it nowadays, I'm thinking I'd probably be bored to tears, so maybe the "1-star" rating isn't fair, maybe it is, I dunno...
January 20, 2014
Kit works hard - and plays hard. Maybe it's not ladylike but she's quite the baseball player. I wish more and more as I read these books that the author would let us see Kit as a teenager or an adult...
November 25, 2014
This short story seemed to be a good length but did not feel rushed through like some others have. The message for children is good and also given through an interesting way.
October 11, 2021
It's always fun to learn about different characters from the MC's POV.
May 14, 2011
This book is realy good you should love it.
April 30, 2017
I love learning more about the past decades in the 20th century. It's so cool how important baseball was to everyone's wellbeing in the 30s. I also liked how kit learned to appreciate mrs Howard better and mrs Howard found a purpose for herself everyday. I know she must've felt terrible not having much to do to help out.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews