Molly: A Winning Spirit

American Girl: Molly #1-3

by Valerie Tripp

Molly McIntire is growing up while the world is at war. She desperately misses her dad, who is in England helping wounded soldiers. Her mom is busy volunteering at the Red Cross, and everyone is focused on working to win the war. Toys, treats, and holiday surprises are scarce — but Molly's imagination can't be rationed. She brings her friends together for the school's Lend-a-Hand contest, and she makes Christmas memorable for her family. With hope in her heart and pride in her country, Molly makes a difference on the home front. This book is richly illustrated in full color and includes a peek into Molly's 1940s world.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published July 5, 2022

About the author

Valerie 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.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the abridged 2022 relaunch of the Molly McIntire series (Molly: A Winning Spirit).

Dare I say it? I like it. And I think I like this version (maybe) more than the original.

For the uninitiated, this series began with six original Molly books (pub. 1986) which were relaunched as a two-volume set (pub. 2018) called the Beforever version. While the 2018 relaunch kept the story pretty consistent, the company also nixed all the illustrations, photos, and cut a lot of the historical content, so I wasn't a big fan.

This is the second relaunch and this time they decided to cut down the original story...and honestly, it worked waaaay better than I expected.

As much as I hate to admit it, Molly's books always felt a like bit of a mess to me.

Her books didn't feel as strong as some of the other girls, nor did they pack as many emotional punches. Her 'world' felt very similar to my own and while Molly's actions and reactions were appropriate for her age, often I would be side-eyeing her character.

However, while her character is still oh-so-very-Molly, the story itself read smoother. They took out a few minor things here and there (they had to, the page count shows that this one IS shorter than the originals) but it didn't feel like anything was missing.

The illustrations (most of them) are back, and in full-color. The historical content section at the back is expanded again and contains photographs once more.

I also really like the quality of this book - the pages are heavy and a little glossy (nothing like the Beforever version).

The only thing preventing me from rating it higher is my frustration that the second book of the abridged relaunch hasn't been released yet. I hate how they would relaunch the first volume of Molly but not the second.

I can see a two-page spread at the back of this book that provides a sneak peek at the next volume, it says to be on the lookout for "Molly: Stars, Stripes and Surprises" and shows a rectangular icon of the next book in the 2020s relaunch.

However, the only version of that book with the same cover style is the audible copy. I even emailed the American Girl Company and they confirmed that the second volume has not been released and they said:

"Regrettably, all ideas are kept a secret until the items are actually available for purchase. Please watch our website, catalogue, and Facebook page for new products as they are introduced."

But it's been almost four years!

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 - ★★★★☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books
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 - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Molly's Craft Book - ★★★★☆
Molly's Route 66 Adventure - ★★★★★
Molly's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Welcome to Molly's World - ★★★★★

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)

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) - ★★★★☆

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for the 2018 Beforever relaunch of the Molly McIntire series (A Winning Spirit: A Molly Classic).

This is the first volume in the relaunch and contains (almost) the entirety of books 1, 2 and 3 from the original Molly main series (Meet Molly, Molly Learns a Lesson, and Molly's Surprise) with only a few edits to the text.

To be honest, Molly's story was never my favorite - she definitely didn't feel as polished as Addy or Samantha's stories and she often would throw lines around that made me wonder at her meanness.

That being said, though rereading it has allowed for me to have a better appreciation for her. Even so, the story itself is still around 3 stars for me - not terrible but also not that great. Lots of questionable moments.

What really solidified this story as a 2-star read for me was was the Beforever changes in this volume.

For the uninitiated, this series began with six beautifully illustrated books which were combined into two larger volumes for this relaunch.

I do appreciate how the Beforever version contains almost identical text to the original books (minus a few connecting sentences here and there to try to smooth the transition from the three original books into one volume) but even with that benefit, this whole 3-in-1 deal isn't that great.

The biggest issues I have with the newer versions is that the illustrations are gone, the "Peek into the Past" historical section is severely cut down and they got rid of all the historical photographs as well.

To me, the attention to detail and all the little extras is what made the original series shine despite the story. Seeing Molly's petulant grimace at the turnips or the entire third grade class working on a quilt for shoulders really elevated the book for me.

Overall, if you have the means, you should really just pick up the originals. It's more books...but it's well worth it.

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 - ★★★★☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books
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 - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Molly's Craft Book - ★★★★☆
Molly's Route 66 Adventure - ★★★★★
Molly's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Welcome to Molly's World - ★★★★★

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)

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) - ★★★★☆

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness do not make me cry Merry McIntires!! I had some nostalgia reading this one because Molly was my fave as a kid. 30 years later she doesn't rank as high as she used to, but the story being set in the Midwest during WWII helps to keep some perspective. I will be interested to see what my book club kids think about everything.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just plain odd. Maybe I think that because I grew up with the original AG books, and remember when Molly’s books were six volumes, not two. The first seven or so characters AG created - Kirsten, Samantha, Molly, Felicity, Addy, Josefina, and Kit - there are huge jumps in their books. In the first one it would be July-August, the second, October-November, the third, December-January, the fourth, March-May the following year, then June-July, and lastly, January, always after Christmas. So the books have blunt endings and beginnings. It made sense when there were six of them. It is very odd when the volumes are condensed down to two, even though Tripp tries to fix this by adding new paragraphs to the first parts of what would have been the next book in the six volume set. This volume is the first of the original three books: Meet Molly, Molly Learns a Lesson, and Molly’s Surprise, stripped of the peek into the past sections as well as the illustrations. So if you own those books, I would not recommend this one. To be frank though, I don’t recommend this one at all; try to hunt down the older versions. The books don’t make much sense condensed into one volume. The jumps are just odd. I’ve read the newer character books, for Maryellen and Melody, and theirs don’t have this problem.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but girl got on my nerves

[Jana Henderson (Reviews from the Stacks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts:

There is too much missing from each of the three books which have been combined to make this one. The characterization changes, story arcs are abbreviated, and it's just not nearly as good. The original versions were better.

Review:

A Winning Spirit introduces a new generation of readers to the character Molly McIntire. Her stories, which are set in 1944 Springfield, Illinois and feature a family dealing with the impacts of World War Two, were originally published from 1986-1988 in a six-volume series as part of the American Girl line from Pleasant Company. I consumed these books eagerly as a young reader, and I have always been curious about the repackaged versions which emerged around the time I was in high school. 2025 is finally the time to see what they’re all about.

The first three “classic Molly” stories are included in A Winning Spirit – at least, the bare bones of them. They haven’t been rewritten or updated as far as I can tell, but a substantial amount of content is missing from the original tales. Unless my memory is completely failing me and inserting things which didn’t actually take place, or confusing things from the movie (which is its own interpretative can of worms). As things are presented this time around, Molly is pushy, her older sister gets punished for something she wasn’t responsible for, and the classmate who Molly says is mean is actually just rich. At least all of Molly’s siblings are kept this time around (unlike in the aforementioned movie).

Really, reading this is like having a strong student try to write down everything they remember from a book. They would get a lot of details, probably even enough to tell you the story and work out some of the themes, but it wouldn’t contain everything that the author intended.

Speaking of themes, what we do keep from the original is the impact of World War 2 on everyday life for everyone, regardless of location, wealth, or age. Everyone in Molly’s family, class at school, and neighborhood must make some sort of change or sacrifice because of the war. Molly doesn’t always understand or like these things but she makes do and learns about what’s important: things like family, honesty, and friendship.

That last one is a little rocky though. I wouldn’t want to be friends with the Molly presented in A Winning Spirit – and I say that as someone who grew up crafting countless stories which focused on Molly and her family. My best friend and I used to act out parts of her books, and loved to pretend we were hosting Molly (and some of the other American Girl characters) for parties, lunch, or whatever the event of the day was. The Molly presented here, however, is much more shallow than the character I remember. She insists on her own way, and everyone just lets her get it without much of a fight. Characters who were annoying or downright mean/rude to Molly in the original have been edited to look like victims of Molly’s jaded personality. I understand now why people say that her character is annoying – she absolutely is in this new version.

The Verdict
Clearly, I’m disappointed with the changes to Molly’s stories. Perhaps I should be glad that they were preserved to any extent through the changes the company has faced over the last decades, but after some thought, I can’t find it in me to be grateful for this abridged version. I miss the Molly of my childhood and I would not eagerly introduce children of my own to this Molly. There are still merits to the books but she is no role model. I’ll give it three stars.

[Slcrawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of the first three original Molly books – Meet Molly, Molly Learns a Lesson, and Molly’s Surprise. The stories follow Molly McIntyre, a nine-year-old girl living during WWII, as she navigates school, friendship, family issues, and growing up during wartime. The first part of the book introduces Molly and her family as they adjust to life in wartime. Molly and her friends must use creativity and problem-solving in order to make the best of their situation – whether it be adjusting to differences in diet related to rationing and victory gardens, resolving conflict with Molly’s mischievous brother, or planning a fun Halloween with limited materials available. The second part emphasizes the same themes of ingenuity, perseverance, friendship, and family as Molly’s school plans events to help lend a hand in the war efforts in the form of a competition. Whomever comes up with the best idea and executes it wins, and Molly does not think that her classmates’ idea is a winning idea. Through this event, Molly learns about compromise and teamwork. Finally, the third part sees Molly and her family planning a Christmas very different from what they are accustomed to. Mr. McIntyre is fighting in England and his family is feeling his absence more than ever. Molly and her siblings must work together to make their Christmas magical during a not-so-magical time.
I have been reading the American Girl series since I was a small child and have always loved the way in which they are able to teach young readers about historical times through events that are relatable to almost all children around Molly's age in the modern day. Despite having never lived during the time of World War II – and possibly not knowing much about that time period at all – young readers are able to understand Molly’s struggles with school, life with her siblings, excitement about holidays, adventures with her friends, and frustration when things do not go her way. Children are able to learn details of daily life during historical times within contexts that are familiar to them, drawing connections between them and also highlighting the differences.
While this book is likely too long to read aloud during a class period, it could be used in excerpts to aid students in learning about World War II as well as developing their reading skills. The book also features small, nonfiction blurbs at the end of each part that explicitly teach historical content that was mentioned in the story such as victory gardens or rations. These blurbs could be used hand-in-hand with related chapters in order to teach vocabulary as well as history. A fun activity could be to have readers think about how Molly’s life differs from their own or to imagine what their life would be like during this time given what they know about Molly’s life. How would they solve some of the problems they may face?

[Abigail Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I like the part where molly, linda, and susan throw ricky's clothes out the window. they do
it just to embarrass him. (mostly in front of dolores.) They do it because on halloween Ricky sprayed water at girls. So they wanted to prank him back. But, Mrs. McIntire gives them jobs. Molly and her friends have to do Ricky's laundry. I don't remember the rest. I also like when Molly and Jill find something from their dad. They do keep it a surprise form the family. Dad went to england to help sick and hurt soliders. The family misses him very much, but the best part is when he speaks on the radio saying he misses the family. I loved that part because I loved my dad too, and I also love my family.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hesitate to say it, but I did not like Molly at all. Firstly, it is clear this was one of the earlier books in the American Girl series as the chapters felt disjointed and there was actually very minimal historical context. If you're looking for a book set in the WWII era with more, try Nanea. I also didn't think Molly was a very good example. She was selfish and even when doing good things like the bottle drive, as only doing it to win a prize, not truly help people. I don't feel like she learned any important lessons about friendship or the spirit of giving.

[Skylar Newbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW TO COME

[Shelley English · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read. I read it with my daughter and we both enjoyed it.

[Jericca Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven year old liked it a lot but not as much as Rebecca. She kinda thought Molly was a bit of a brat but still relatable.

[Kaylee Brosius]

Am I 23 yrs old? Yeah. Am I still gonna read the chapter book about my girl Molly? Yeah. Did I just read this entire thing while waiting at jury duty? Also yeah.

[Heidi A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Molly books when I originally read as a child. If possible I love them even more now. Molly is full of spunk, personality with a per penchant for getting into trouble.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read-aloud with Miss M. She really enjoyed it!

[Christina (Brandsma) Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling nostalgic so I re-read this Molly story. It's just delightful.

[Amelia (Taylors Version)]

my thoughts
- very sweet
- Mollys such a brat ahahah
- the ending made me tear up I cant lie

[Charlie - disableddaydreamer | itsbarbieparis (looking for mutuals) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this really showed molly’s personality and i really enjoyed this one

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8

[Abigail Claire]

Reminds me of my childhood

[Kinsley Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Molly A Wining Spirit because she did her part in the war.She also was very gentle and kind.She fought through heart break and depression. She also fought changes and challenges.I really liked the book.

[erin iocco · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 40 years of wanting a Molly American Girl doll, I finally bought one and this sweet book came with her. I enjoyed a refresh of Molly’s story and was reminded why she was my favorite AG from the original dolls.

[Courtney Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma 4
Beatrice 5

[Anna Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book for an American Girl book. I recently got the doll and thought that I would like to know her story.