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American Girl: Josefina #1-3
Sunlight and Shadows: A Josefina Classic
A special surprise brings a lot of newness to the rancho, including learning how to read, play the piano, and weave. But how will these new skills help her family and keep memories of Mam� close? Then, Josefina is grateful for a new idea that helps save their ranch after a devastating flood. But as Christmas approaches, Josefina is thinking a lot about the comfort of treasured traditions. Discover which traditions help make this Christmas really wonderful for Josefina.
182 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2014
21 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
273 books439 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 26, 2017
Read this with my five - year - old and her Josephina doll. She loved it. I thought it was fine.
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December 25, 2022man i love being catholic
January 27, 2021
This was a surprisingly pleasant read that I'm glad I didn't end up skipping out on. The book came with my college graduation gift--The Josefina American Girl doll and I read it with one of my students.
This book is interesting because the chapters are written episodically, rather than one big goal that the characters are working towards. Which does wonders for the theme revolving around grief and the reality that life keeps going regardless. The problems are rarely huge, nor are they life-changing but that adds to the charm of keeping the work grounded and feeling very real.
The world-building is excellent and there is always a feeling of love towards the culture. I'm a Mexican myself and the bits and pieces that my mom read would get her talking about her own experiences growing up in Mexico at the ranch. She was also excited to find that Josefina's family leans heavier towards the Spanish side vs. the indigenous side as did her father's side, recalling how she had an aunt who would dress exactly like Tia Delores during her initial chapters.
It's just a cute wholesome story, with some wholesome characters, in a nice little wholesome book.
This book is interesting because the chapters are written episodically, rather than one big goal that the characters are working towards. Which does wonders for the theme revolving around grief and the reality that life keeps going regardless. The problems are rarely huge, nor are they life-changing but that adds to the charm of keeping the work grounded and feeling very real.
The world-building is excellent and there is always a feeling of love towards the culture. I'm a Mexican myself and the bits and pieces that my mom read would get her talking about her own experiences growing up in Mexico at the ranch. She was also excited to find that Josefina's family leans heavier towards the Spanish side vs. the indigenous side as did her father's side, recalling how she had an aunt who would dress exactly like Tia Delores during her initial chapters.
It's just a cute wholesome story, with some wholesome characters, in a nice little wholesome book.
September 23, 2014
Cute, quick read.
July 5, 2017
This book was a very good classic. I really enjoyed it. However, I did not find it amazing. It was very good, but I have read better. Although, I do think that many people would enjoy this book very much. It was great.
March 20, 2024
Just as good as I remember them. I had forgotten the stories but not the feeling they give me. I'm looking forward to Evie and then Mia reading these and enjoying the rest of the American Girl Books.
November 25, 2020
Beautiful story about grief and music.
May 27, 2022
Great read!
September 29, 2024
“‘‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’’ said Tía Dolores softly, ‘’for they will be called the children of God.’’”
🧡💛
🧡💛
April 7, 2020
Josefina, the American Girl of 1824, is coming to terms with the loss of her mother and the addition of her aunt to her life. She lives in New Mexico (part of Mexico) and is learning to run a household. The story is very sweet and surprisingly not nearly as depressing as some of the other American Girl historical books. As with all American Girl books I’ve read to my boys, it’s historical fiction for kids done right. I highly recommend it, especially as a family read aloud!
May 20, 2016
Vibrant descriptions of New Mexico made me want to travel there again. I felt like I was there with Josefina at the clear stream and on the hillside. Sometimes the plot didn't move quickly, but the soft pace gives young readers time to understand the setting and history.
November 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed Josefina's first book! Having just read the Felicity books, I can see how much stronger the writing and storytelling are for this book. Everything flows well and there is a good arc for Josefina as she grapples with grief, fear, and natural disasters.
May 23, 2016
This book made for a good, quick read. I liked it. one feature I liked were the common mentions of God and Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews