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American Girl Mysteries
Midnight in Lonesome Hollow: A Kit Mystery
Kit is visiting Aunt Millie in Mountain Hollow, Kentucky, in 1934. When a professor arrives to study Kentucky mountain traditions, Kit is thrilled to help with her research--until it becomes clear that somebody doesn't want "outsiders" nosing around. Kit decides to find out who's making trouble--even if it means venturing into Lonesome Hollow in the dark of night.
181 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ernst
57 books379 followersI 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 24, 2024
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult. Here's what stands out:
In the best cases, when AG mysteries take their protagonist away from home, they introduce a whole new set of topics and concerns - and this one does. Kit's visiting Aunt Millie, and we see what the Depression looks like in rural Appalachia. Mining and moonshine. Lots of poverty, but also lots of pride. Fear that outsiders will only make fun or take advantage of the mountain folk. And we see that there are good reason for those fears - but that there are also outsiders interested in documenting their art and music for less predatory reasons.
Kit, ever the budding journalist, is doing some documenting herself: She's continuing the Waste-Not, Want-Not Almanac from Happy Birthday, with more ways to reuse and make do. It's a natural connection to a previous book, and it leads beautifully to the introduction of the actual folklorist (who then ever so conveniently has a brother who is interested in folk music for commercial purposes). This early 20th century drive to take new recording technology and document culture and living history is such a great fit for Kit.
Like many AG mysteries, the plot affects many of the new characters much more deeply than Kit, but this one avoids the trap of making her a bystander in her own book (contrast Marie-Grace's The Hidden Gold). I think the difference is that not only does she aid and detect, but we also see her understanding of the world deepen as she encounters new ideas and perspectives throughout the book. She gets to grow, and because she does, she's in the right place to suggest parts of the solution.
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
In the best cases, when AG mysteries take their protagonist away from home, they introduce a whole new set of topics and concerns - and this one does. Kit's visiting Aunt Millie, and we see what the Depression looks like in rural Appalachia. Mining and moonshine. Lots of poverty, but also lots of pride. Fear that outsiders will only make fun or take advantage of the mountain folk. And we see that there are good reason for those fears - but that there are also outsiders interested in documenting their art and music for less predatory reasons.
Kit, ever the budding journalist, is doing some documenting herself: She's continuing the Waste-Not, Want-Not Almanac from Happy Birthday, with more ways to reuse and make do. It's a natural connection to a previous book, and it leads beautifully to the introduction of the actual folklorist (who then ever so conveniently has a brother who is interested in folk music for commercial purposes). This early 20th century drive to take new recording technology and document culture and living history is such a great fit for Kit.
Like many AG mysteries, the plot affects many of the new characters much more deeply than Kit, but this one avoids the trap of making her a bystander in her own book (contrast Marie-Grace's The Hidden Gold). I think the difference is that not only does she aid and detect, but we also see her understanding of the world deepen as she encounters new ideas and perspectives throughout the book. She gets to grow, and because she does, she's in the right place to suggest parts of the solution.
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 31, 2022
So far this is my favorite of the American Girl Mysteries. I thought the plot was good, with a nice little twist, as well as some life lessons learned. A few words that could have been left out (e.g. gosh or golly a couple times, and tarnation once). An enjoyable read, with good historical information at the end.
February 5, 2022
This was a fun little mystery. She tied up all the loose ends but a young reader might not quite understand how. Kit was impulsive and dumb, but not disobedient. A couple uses of gosh.
April 14, 2024
Appalachian coal miners - an important part of history that AG has never touched before or since. Done with great attention to detail and empathy.
June 18, 2021
Kit's year is 1934 and, in this story, she visits her Aunt Millie in Kentucky and learns about the people from the area of the country called Appalachia.
This was an interesting story, as I know very little about this area - eastern Kentucky - myself. In fact, I think I realized, reading this book, where the term "hillbillies" comes from. People who live in the "hills" or mountains. The area is so mountainous that getting around is hard by car - at least back then. They still used horses and carriages or simply walked. People did not have radios and other modern conveniences. Many homes are very remote. Kit has to cross a river using a narrow beam of wood to get to one neighbors house. Now that's seriously not encouraging visitors.
On the plus side, many old traditions continue here. Talented craftspeople practice skills that are dying out in the rest of the country. For example, Kit meets and works with a researcher who is studying basket weaving. Kit realizes that many here are very skilled at making beautiful hand made baskets. Others, like her friend Fern, can sing and play unusual instruments like the dulcimer.
Emphasis was placed on how poor and how suspicious of "outsiders" they are. Kit wonders if she is an outsider. She considers Fern and Fern's family her friends and want to help them, but becomes aware of how sometimes helping may come across as looking down on someone. This was an interesting point, one that is not easy to explain to kids.
Overall, the issues raised in this book were handled very well. Kit learns not to judge others until you know the whole story, but she also voices a very good point. She tells Fern's family that she wants to be a writer and reporter - and someone like her is someone that they SHOULD trust. That's the only way their stories will be heard and outsiders opinions' changed. She's right about that. She also rejects the term "City Slicker," saying that just because she is from Cincinnati, doesn't mean that she doesn't know what hard times are like. I liked it when she said that. We know from reading Kit's other stores how much the The Great Depression has impacted Kit and her family, so she does understand a lot of what the Craig family is going through.
I love these American Girl Mysteries. They are quick and fun to read and always have a unique perspective to get acquainted with that, even as a adult, I can appreciate and enjoy.
This was an interesting story, as I know very little about this area - eastern Kentucky - myself. In fact, I think I realized, reading this book, where the term "hillbillies" comes from. People who live in the "hills" or mountains. The area is so mountainous that getting around is hard by car - at least back then. They still used horses and carriages or simply walked. People did not have radios and other modern conveniences. Many homes are very remote. Kit has to cross a river using a narrow beam of wood to get to one neighbors house. Now that's seriously not encouraging visitors.
On the plus side, many old traditions continue here. Talented craftspeople practice skills that are dying out in the rest of the country. For example, Kit meets and works with a researcher who is studying basket weaving. Kit realizes that many here are very skilled at making beautiful hand made baskets. Others, like her friend Fern, can sing and play unusual instruments like the dulcimer.
Emphasis was placed on how poor and how suspicious of "outsiders" they are. Kit wonders if she is an outsider. She considers Fern and Fern's family her friends and want to help them, but becomes aware of how sometimes helping may come across as looking down on someone. This was an interesting point, one that is not easy to explain to kids.
Overall, the issues raised in this book were handled very well. Kit learns not to judge others until you know the whole story, but she also voices a very good point. She tells Fern's family that she wants to be a writer and reporter - and someone like her is someone that they SHOULD trust. That's the only way their stories will be heard and outsiders opinions' changed. She's right about that. She also rejects the term "City Slicker," saying that just because she is from Cincinnati, doesn't mean that she doesn't know what hard times are like. I liked it when she said that. We know from reading Kit's other stores how much the The Great Depression has impacted Kit and her family, so she does understand a lot of what the Craig family is going through.
I love these American Girl Mysteries. They are quick and fun to read and always have a unique perspective to get acquainted with that, even as a adult, I can appreciate and enjoy.
January 13, 2021
I previously gave this book two stars, because I remembered finding it rather dull and disappointing as a child. I feel very differently now, and enjoyed the book much more as an adult. It has lots of interesting historical information about Appalachia in the Great Depression, and involves powerful themes about poverty, community, toxic charity, and Kit's unique position as someone who is perceived by some as an outsider, but is accepted by others because of her relationship to Aunt Millie, a member of the community.
This book's mystery is less engaging than some of the other Kit ones, but it's a great novel. I also realized that even though I had previously believed that the story picked up very suddenly without adequate set-up, this book built on a short story from Kit's anthology, which I didn't know existed at the time. I enjoyed it more now that I have additional context for it, and I'm glad that I got to read it again.
This book's mystery is less engaging than some of the other Kit ones, but it's a great novel. I also realized that even though I had previously believed that the story picked up very suddenly without adequate set-up, this book built on a short story from Kit's anthology, which I didn't know existed at the time. I enjoyed it more now that I have additional context for it, and I'm glad that I got to read it again.
February 24, 2024
After the Caroline mysteries, this is my favorite of the AG Mysteries we’ve read so far—which shouldn’t be a surprise Caroline’s author, Kathleen Ernst, wrote this Kit mystery. Ernst excels in creating characters and plots with moral complexities that never get too heavy for the target audience yet remind young readers that life is not black-and-white and that we must use our own moral compass, with equal measures of justice and compassion, as we navigate the many shades of gray as we interact with our fellow human beings. The ambiance here is excellent, too – I felt transported to 1930s Appalachia. As I’m pressed for time, please see the reviews by Katie and Panda Incognito as they provide further details to the plot and echo my own sentiments.
May 2, 2019
This historical fiction chapter book is about a young girl named Kit who goes to visit her Aunt Millie. A researcher comes to discover new things of the Kentucky Mountains. This researcher gets suspicious and Kit and her friends get to solve the mystery! I like this book because it is set in the early 1900s and it gives kids an idea of what others did for fun back then. In my classroom, I would recommend this book for a fun read on their own. As an activity, I would have half of my students write mysteries, and the other half would get to solve them!
June 23, 2019
The historical details in this were really interesting and showed me about an era and a geographical area that I didn’t much about before. All of the characters were sympathetic, even when they were doing things they shouldn’t, because it was easy to understand the desperation and past hurt that motivated their choices.
September 24, 2021
Lots of Kentucky historical references. Dovetails nicely with Christy. Kentucky Historical society is even thanked in the author notes.
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January 21, 2023The ended seemed slightly far-fetched, but I really enjoyed this one despite it!
September 21, 2023
I loved this book! I highly recommend it.
September 27, 2024
I didn’t love this one as much as others, but it was still a lot of fun to read.
June 4, 2016
Midnight in Lonesome Hollow is an entry in the American Girl Mystery series which features Margaret Mildred Kittredge who goes by Kit. Kit is visiting her Aunt Millie in the Appalachian area of Kentucky during the Great Depression (1934). She is interested in the folkways of the Appalachian inhabitants she meets and has been keeping a scrapbook of phrases, home remedies, traditions, and other interesting and unfamiliar tidbits. When a college professor comes to stay and study the basket-weaving traditions, Kit is fascinated. And when Professor Lucy Vanderpool is shown Kit's scrapbook, she is impressed and asks Kit if she'd like to take the place of her student assistant who is sick with influenza and couldn't make the trip. The budding young journalist is thrilled at the chance to do some real research and the two set out to interview local basket-weavers.
But somebody is not thrilled with the "outsiders" who have invaded their Hollow. After one successful interview, most of the basket-weavers refuse to meet with the professor and while they are talking with one of the few who agree to meet with them someone wrecks Professor Vanderpool's photo plates and ruins the pictures she planned to use in her book. Who would be mean enough to damage the equipment? Kit has her suspicions and isn't afraid to go out into the Hollow at night to find out if she's right.
As one might expect with a middle-grade mystery, this one isn't too complicated and there is very little violence (except to inanimate objects). There is a very real problem that drives the culprit to damage equipment and disrupt the research and it gives Kit a chance to learn a few lessons about the best way to help people. The focus of the book is really on the Appalachian people and the area during depression. Readers learn a great deal about folk traditions and also about the hardships brought about by depression and pull-out of several coal mining companies which severely affected so many families. It didn't just mean a loss of jobs, but it also shut down many schools (which were sponsored by the mining companies), limiting the educational opportunities for many children. The book also highlights the way so many outsiders insulted the Appalachian people by considering their folk traditions backward or "quaint." A very nice historical novel for young people.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
But somebody is not thrilled with the "outsiders" who have invaded their Hollow. After one successful interview, most of the basket-weavers refuse to meet with the professor and while they are talking with one of the few who agree to meet with them someone wrecks Professor Vanderpool's photo plates and ruins the pictures she planned to use in her book. Who would be mean enough to damage the equipment? Kit has her suspicions and isn't afraid to go out into the Hollow at night to find out if she's right.
As one might expect with a middle-grade mystery, this one isn't too complicated and there is very little violence (except to inanimate objects). There is a very real problem that drives the culprit to damage equipment and disrupt the research and it gives Kit a chance to learn a few lessons about the best way to help people. The focus of the book is really on the Appalachian people and the area during depression. Readers learn a great deal about folk traditions and also about the hardships brought about by depression and pull-out of several coal mining companies which severely affected so many families. It didn't just mean a loss of jobs, but it also shut down many schools (which were sponsored by the mining companies), limiting the educational opportunities for many children. The book also highlights the way so many outsiders insulted the Appalachian people by considering their folk traditions backward or "quaint." A very nice historical novel for young people.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
June 4, 2012
Kit is visiting Aunt Millie in 1934. When a professor arrives to study Kentucky Mountain traditions, Kit is thrilled to help with her research - until it becomes clear that somebody doesn't want "outsiders" nosing around. Kit decides to find out who's making trouble... even if it means venturing into Lonesome Hollow in the dark of night.
About The Author: Kathleen Ernst grew up in Maryland in a house full of books. She wrote her first historical novel when she was fifteen and has been hooked ever since! Today, she and her husband live in Wisconsin. She has written many books for children and teens, including Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery and Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina mystery. She also wrote three American Girl History Mysteries: Trouble at Fort La Pointe; Whistler in the Dark; and Betrayal at Cross Creek. Trouble at Fort La Pointe was an Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee for Best Children's Mystery. Danger at the Zoo, Whistler in the Dark and Betrayal at Cross Creek were all Agatha Award nominees for Best Children's/ Young Adult Mystery.
This is another great fun story to read. Most American Girl books are usually geared toward age 8 or 9 and up. American Girl brings history alive in all of their books.
About The Author: Kathleen Ernst grew up in Maryland in a house full of books. She wrote her first historical novel when she was fifteen and has been hooked ever since! Today, she and her husband live in Wisconsin. She has written many books for children and teens, including Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery and Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina mystery. She also wrote three American Girl History Mysteries: Trouble at Fort La Pointe; Whistler in the Dark; and Betrayal at Cross Creek. Trouble at Fort La Pointe was an Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee for Best Children's Mystery. Danger at the Zoo, Whistler in the Dark and Betrayal at Cross Creek were all Agatha Award nominees for Best Children's/ Young Adult Mystery.
This is another great fun story to read. Most American Girl books are usually geared toward age 8 or 9 and up. American Girl brings history alive in all of their books.
November 20, 2022
Surprisingly, this mystery actually ties in with one of Kit's short stories. But all you need to know is explained in the first chapter. This is probably the closest that the American Girls will get to exploring Appalachia, which is kind of a shame. It seemed like it did a fairly good job of it, though.
Re-read 2022: I liked this mystery better the second time around. I appreciate how carefully Ernst dealt with cultural conflict between Appalachians and "outsiders". It certainly seems to be written from a place of genuine appreciation towards Appalachian culture, which is so often lacking. I also liked that there's a combination of people who have that level of appreciation, the well meaning but clumsy, and the outright malicious, as well as Appalachians who are welcoming, cautious, and hostile. There's a lot of subtle variations there. The mystery itself is also well written, which is exactly what I expect from Ernst at this point.
Re-read 2022: I liked this mystery better the second time around. I appreciate how carefully Ernst dealt with cultural conflict between Appalachians and "outsiders". It certainly seems to be written from a place of genuine appreciation towards Appalachian culture, which is so often lacking. I also liked that there's a combination of people who have that level of appreciation, the well meaning but clumsy, and the outright malicious, as well as Appalachians who are welcoming, cautious, and hostile. There's a lot of subtle variations there. The mystery itself is also well written, which is exactly what I expect from Ernst at this point.
October 24, 2010
The name of the book is “Midnight in the Lonesome Hollow.”
The book was written by Kathleen Ernst. There is no illustrator.
The main character is Kit Kittredge, an American Girl who lives during the Great Depression.
In the beginning, Kit visits Fern and Johnny, who live with their Grandma. Their mom died. Fern tells Kit about something that is worrying her: Why was Harlan, Fern’s brother, sneaking out at night? One of Kit’s thoughts was he working with moonshiners, which he had promised his mom he wouldn’t do before she died.
Kit and Fern want to solve the mystery.
In the middle, Fern and Kit sneak out at night to try to find out what Harlan’s doing.
In the end, .... [spoiler omitted]
The book was written by Kathleen Ernst. There is no illustrator.
The main character is Kit Kittredge, an American Girl who lives during the Great Depression.
In the beginning, Kit visits Fern and Johnny, who live with their Grandma. Their mom died. Fern tells Kit about something that is worrying her: Why was Harlan, Fern’s brother, sneaking out at night? One of Kit’s thoughts was he working with moonshiners, which he had promised his mom he wouldn’t do before she died.
Kit and Fern want to solve the mystery.
In the middle, Fern and Kit sneak out at night to try to find out what Harlan’s doing.
In the end, .... [spoiler omitted]
September 3, 2014
Kit is visiting her Aunt Millie in the mountain region of Kentucky, she's helping her Aunt Millie bring books to people living in Mountain Hollow, ever since the mining company left, the school shut down and the children are no longer able to learn, Millie's library is the only thing they have. Kit is determined to help, especially her friend Fern and her family, who are struggling with money and social services might take Fern and her brother away.
When a folklorist Lucy Vanderpool arrives to document basket weaving, before the art dies out, Kit is excited to be her assistant and help take notes and photos, but someone doesn't want this outsider hanging around. A vandal has destroyed Lucy's camera equipment and notes, but who and why? Kit is determined to find out.
When a folklorist Lucy Vanderpool arrives to document basket weaving, before the art dies out, Kit is excited to be her assistant and help take notes and photos, but someone doesn't want this outsider hanging around. A vandal has destroyed Lucy's camera equipment and notes, but who and why? Kit is determined to find out.
August 18, 2009
This was pretty well done - there is a bit of a mystery, but it's also a nice picture of what life was like in the Appalachian mountains during the depression. As usual with American Girl, heavily seeded with a nice 'it's fun to be helpful' message.
July 15, 2014
Not my favorite of the AG mysteries but still fun to read with my 8 year old. Some of the sentence structure and vocabulary is at a higher reading level than my daughter is at, and the Kentucky turns of phrase don't help much either. Nice book but we're moving onto another (easier) series.
April 28, 2008
Wonderful, like all the other Kit books. I look forward to reading any of the other mysteries she has.
June 30, 2008
Harkening back to Nancy Drew, this American Girl mystery was cute (even though I had it solved half-way through--HA!).
April 19, 2009
Excellent story, if you liked Christy by Catherine Marshall, you will like this book.
February 9, 2010
never finished it.
Read
July 30, 2011Mystery and mountain basket craft appreciation combined to make this a winner. Kits experiences in Kentucky paralleled much we have experienced in North Caroline and Tennessee.
January 1, 2019
l loved that this tied to "Aunt Millie Rides Again," from the extended set of short stories. This is a whole new environment for Kit, and a really nice read.
September 1, 2012
Certainly better than the other two American Girl stories I read.
November 5, 2013
My 2nd Grade daughter and I love sharing these American Girl mysteries together. This one was a lot of fun and my daughter and I enjoyed talking about the setting together.
June 12, 2016
Very good. I liked the history about the Appalachians.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews