Lea Dives In (American Girl of the Year)

American Girl: Lea #1

by Lisa Yee, Sarah Davis (Illustrator)

Lea is ten years old and ready to explore the whole world, just like her grandmother! But first she'll start with a family trip to Brazil, where her big brother is studying the rainforest. Lea is really excited to see the ocean - and when she does, she realizes she'd rather take a picture of it than swim in it. Can she overcome her fear and dive in?

Then she meets a fun new friend who inspires her to embrace the thrills and beauty of Brazil. But when the fun turns to danger, she must find the courage to face adventure head on! Where will the next adventure take her?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Chapter Books, Contemporary, Childrens, Adventure

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Lisa Yee has written over 20 novels. Her most recent book, Maizy Chen's Last Chance, is about a fifth-generation Chinese American girl, and is a National Book Award Finalist, Newbery Honor, and the Asian Pacific American Children's Literature Award winner.

Lisa's debut novel, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Other books include Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, Absolutely Maybe, and a series about a 4th grader, Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) and Bobby the Brave (Sometimes), illustrated by Dan Santat.

Lisa is also the author of several American Girl books and the DC Super Hero Girls series. A Thurber House Children’s Writer-in-Residence, Lisa's books have been named a NPR Best Summer Read, Sports Illustrated Kids Hot Summer Read, and USA Today Critics’ Top Pick.

Lisa lives In Western Massachusetts, but spends a lot of time in Los Angeles, especially when it's cold. Her next book, an awkward and hilarious mystery, is called The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum, and is illustrated by Dan Santat.

You can visit Lisa at www.lisayee.com.

Reviews

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot is thin; the writing is merely adequate. The purpose of the book is to promote an American Girl doll who visits Brazil and in the process do a bit of educating about the country. That it does reasonably well. I lived six years in Brazil, albeit in a different part of the country, but I like the way the author incorporates local foods and Portuguese language. I expected the plot to be a bit more about culture shock, but instead it focuses on the way Lea’s brother has changed in the three years he has been away at college and Lea’s fear of the sea after being knocked down by a big wave. What I didn’t like was the role of Yemanjá. If you are a secularist who does not believe in the supernatural, then you will see Yemanjá as simply an interesting bit of folklore celebrated at a festival in Salvador, Bahia. But she is in fact a goddess (Queen of the Sea) of a Spiritist religion similar to traditional African animistic religion practiced in the Northeast of Brazil. In the end of this book, Lea actively participates in her worship—the worship of a spirit in direct opposition to the God of the Bible. As I said, if you are a secularist, this won’t bother you, but if you profess Christianity, it should. I was not comfortable giving this book to my grand daughter.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lea wants to be a great traveller like her grandmother was, so when the opportunity comes for a fabulous trip to Brazil, she's ready for adventure. Only when she gets there, things aren't quite what she expected. The relationship with her brother (who is an adult) has changed, and the one thing she'd been looking forward to, fills her with fear.

Excellent story about facing fears and trying new things. I liked Lea, who seems very real with the complex emotions that comes of being ten, and having things change. I can't wait for the next book that takes us from beaches to rainforest.

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her grandma (her ama) helped her gain her courage.

[Xyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. I'd give it 5 stars but there were a few times I was not 100% thrilled with the main character and one of the story events was a bit hard to believe even when suspending belief in the name of literature.

Lea is a very interesting girl of the year. Her story is very interesting and, I have to admit, has her experience things that I have so I could relate to her on many levels.

Lea, our main character, is 10 years old and on her way to Brazil for the first time. Her family is going to visit her brother who is studying abroad. Note - there is a 9 year difference in age between Zac and Lea.

This first story tackles life changes, travel, exploration, and the fears that accompany those milestones. Lea tackles many of those fears with the help of her parents, grandmother's travel journals, and her love of photography. You'll have to read it to find out how that helped.

One of her fears that hit close to home was Lea's fear of swimming in the ocean and putting her head underwater. I liked how she was able to overcome this fear.

I highly suggest you check out the author's website to see the photos and videos from her research trip. Outstanding! I didn't visit until after finishing the book, but can see why it was so easy for her to paint such vivid descriptions with her words. It would have been really nice for a few of her photos to be included in the book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I wish there were pictures in these new AG books. Would be great to see Brazil in color. But I liked Lea As a character dealing with real life growing up issues in a new place. The ending was a little far fetched but gotta keep these short books interesting for the kids.

[Emma Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was perfect and it's no surprise it was adapted as an American Girl movie (I hope they're still making those, they haven't released any in a long time). Lea is a relatable heroine and I loved her relationship with her grandmother, her new friends, and everything about Brazil. It's a lovely middle grade book and everything I've come to expect from American Girl - young girls going on adventures, learning loads and loving loads in the process.

[The_Sunflower_Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good ! 4.5/5 Stars 🌟

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

here for the dad jokes and the dad jokes only

2.5⭐️

[Christy McDade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of childhood. Very well written from what I can remember. I used to read this in January when it was freezing and I wanted to go to a warm beach.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome! If you like books with happy endings, this book is perfect. Lea is on vacation with her family and gets to see her brother Zac. Lea's brother Zac lives in Brazil for college and never gets to see Lea. This Lea sees Zac, he is different. He starts treating Lea different. But Lea doesn't like it. So will they get along, or will their vacation be a disaster! Make sure to read this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this out loud to my 5 yr old. She really enjoyed it. Just enough suspense, lots of 'learning moments' and opportunities to discuss one's relationship with their sibling. She particularly enjoyed the struggle with swimming in the ocean since she had a similar experience this summer. But beware, the ending is a bit contrived and as an adult I found it to be over the top, but my daughter enjoyed it.

[Brooke M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great book especially because there was animals in the book and I love animals it's about a girl who goes to Brazil but in Brazil her dad falls off a cliff and breaks his leg

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and how brave Lea was!!! It transported me to Brazil!

[Mariella Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lea" by Lisa Yee is a captivating adventure novel that follows the journey of a courageous girl who discovers the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation. Through vivid storytelling, Yee explores themes of exploration, friendship, and environmental awareness in this engaging American Girl doll book. This is an excellent novel that shares an exciting adventure set in Brazil, where we follow the journey of Lea, a curious and nature-loving girl. She embarks on a thrilling expedition into the Amazon rainforest, encountering fascinating wildlife and facing unexpected challenges. Along the way, Lea forms meaningful friendships and learns about the importance of conservation and protecting the environment. The story beautifully captures the spirit of adventure, highlighting the wonders of nature and the importance of taking action to preserve it.

When it comes to expressing my opinion about the book "Lea" by Lisa Yee, I really enjoyed it. The vivid descriptions of the Amazon rainforest made me feel like I was there. The book also had a strong environmental message that resonated with me. Overall, it's a captivating read with adventure and important lessons. The author's style shines through with vivid descriptions that transport readers to the Amazon rainforest. The use of sensory language and imagery creates a rich and immersive reading experience. Additionally, the book showcases the frequent use of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, to enhance the storytelling and engage the reader on a deeper level. In the conclusion of "Lea" by Lisa Yee, the story comes to a satisfying resolution as Lea learns valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the importance of standing up for what she believes in. It leaves readers with a sense of fulfillment and a reminder of the power of determination and compassion.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book lea dives in the 10 year old girl named Lea is going to see her brother who is studying the rain forest in Brazil. Lea has been waiting for the day that she actually got to see her brother and the sea at the same time. But her brother is acting weird and her dad breaks his leg and she is scared to swim in the ocean!! But she meets this girl named Camila. Camila and Lea are best friends and they have only known each other for a week but Camila has been helping Lea gain up her courage to go swimming in the ocean instead of just taking pictures of it!
Their is a lot of figurative devices in Lisa Yee's Lea Dives in. First their is a lot of alliteration, in this book their is 2 words that start with the same letter the sentence it is used in says "I trained my camera on a swimmer making her way toward the shore with long, strong strokes." and the next example says "we passed pristine pools that held the biggest turtles I have ever seen." Next assonance, in this book their is assonance and assonance is a sound or vowel that is the same in more tan one word here is a few examples "The babies enter the water and let the waves carry them away as they swim for their lives." and "I had tested my self, and I would never regret it."
I really liked this book. I really liked that they made it adventurous and funny. The thing I liked a lot about this book is that when her dad broke his leg the author didn't make it sad they made a joke out of it like when Lea asks if his leg is broken and he says Spectacularly broken!! I hope you get a chance to read it and I hope you like it as much as I did!

[Cassidy Quimby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old daughter and I have been reading this book together a chapter at a time on her nights to choose what we read before bed. I have to admit, I was always glad when it was her night as my son’s choice of military books are informative but not quite as entertaining. Lea is a girl (an American girl doll brought to life actually) who captures your heart as she conquers her fears and the loss of grandmother as well as finding ways to honor her memory. Adventuring through Brazil with her and her family made me want to take a trip to explore it for myself. We will be looking for other stories about Lea and possibly some of the other girls if they are also written by Ms. Lee.

I don’t always look forward to the next chapter of my kiddos books. However that was simply not the case with this story. The chapters are short and sweet too. Great for a kid to read to themselves or a mom and daughter (or dad and daughter) to read before bed. I will say little brother tried desperately not to enjoy it. Often he was found to be creeping back up out from under the covers to see, just in case there happened to be a picture he could see to illustrate the story, especially during any suspenseful parts. I believe despite his efforts he did actually enjoy it, although I will never get him to admit it!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lea Dives is an American girl doll book. It is a nonfiction book about real people. What I love about American girl doll books is that you can probably relate to some of the things that the person has gone through. Lea Clark is ready to explore the whole world, just like her grandmother did. Her grandmother traveled all around the world and took pictures of everything. First Lea will start with a family trip to Brazil, where her big brother Zac is studying the rainforest. Lea is really excited to see the ocean. But, when she does she realizes she'd rather take pictures of it rather than swimming in it. This was because, when she was little she and her brother were swimming and Zac wasn’t paying attention and Lea got knocked down a wave. Ever since then she has been scared to swim. When you read this book you will see Lea grow and conquer her fear.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved this book-- they gasped at the suspenseful bits, flicked away tears at the touching bits, and thrashed about madly with glee each time they recognized some subtle brand placements (THATS THE DRESS LEA COMES IN OMGOMGOMG).
There was lots of good Portuguese phrases and references to real Brazilian food and things, which was cool-- it was obviously well researched, and I kinda want the job of writing these things. Somebody make that happen!!

Minus a star because I hope my brain scrubs this book as soon as possible and frees it up for more interesting things, like all the kinds of Two Dots bombs or the best Sherlock BBC fanfic writers. Like, hopefully I will have forgotten it by tonight.

[8 Hales A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lea Dives In
By: Lisa Yee
Lea Dives in is written by Lisa Yee. Lea Dives in is about a ten almost eleven year old girl who goes on trip to Brazil with her family. Her brother who she hasn't seen in a long time will be there. He was exploring Brazil like their grandma. Their grandma was an adventurer and passed away while she was on a trip. Ever since Lea has wanted to become just like her. To be brave and strong and confident. She also wants to show her older brother that she isn't just some little kid anymore. But when they get to Brazil they go swimming and Lea is afraid of the water and doesn't want her brother to find out. Along her wonderful adventure she meets a friend that will help her overcome her fear and explore Brazil. Then her family decides to go on a hike. They get lost and her dad falls off a small cliff and is injured but not dead. Her brother tells her to go find help. This is a great opportunity to show her brother that she is older now. She finds help and enjoys the rest of their time in Brazil full of surprises.
Lea is a ten almost eleven year old girl who wants to become just like her grandma. An adventurer. Her family goes on a trip to Brazil and when they go swimming she finds that she's afraid of the water. Along her adventure she meets a friend who helps her overcome her fear of the water. Also when her family decides to go on a hike they get lost and her dad falls off a small cliff and is injured. Lea, brave and confident, decides to go find help. After her tragedy she realizes that she has truly become like her grandma.
I liked this book because it has adventure and action in it. It also talked about Brazil and I found it very interesting of their lifestyle. For example if you were trying to make a goal they gave you a colored bracelet and if you achieved your goal the bracelet would fall off. Another example was she wants to become a photographer and that is like me. Another example is they go on a hike and get lost and her dad falls off a cliff. It is very intense and exciting. I would rate this book a ten out of ten. You should totally read this book.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a very cute and quick read! I enjoyed it and busted it out in 2 days. I didn’t find anything wrong with it or anything I particularly didn’t like. I actually quite like Lisa Yee’s simple writing. It’s good for books meant for elementary level kids.

Also, I watched the movie years ago, and from my recollection, the movie is nothing like the book. And reading the summaries of the other 2 in the series, I don’t think they are similar at all either.

I recommend this book to people who want a fun, easy read.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I liked it more than I thought I would. It was an enjoyable read, with realistic (IMO) characters. I could see a girl like Lea (though I must admit I think she seemed olser than 10 at times), and her relationship with her brother Zac rang true.

Also there was turtles. Lots I'd turtles. As the owner of a pet tortoise, I was pleased as punch to see this. And I appreciate how Lea had a pet turtle. I would love to read the misadventures of her and Ginger now.

[Sia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read with my kids. It was not one I choose, but one my girls begged to read together. We had a lot of fun looking stuff up about Brazil while we came across it in the book. It had some great themes running through it about courage, and overcoming fears, family relationships. trying new things, and forgiveness.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my 9 year old cousin's sake. I didn't really care for Lea's attitude throughout the book, but on other occasions I could understand her hurt and mixed emotions. Weird, right? Anyway, it was a good book for a younger reader. The mermaid statue and the gift-giving in her honor was weird.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library book sale because it has my name on it. I was quite surprised to find that the story was actually well written and researched and very entertaining. A good tale about finding our courage and saying yes to adventure. For middle grade readers, the heroine is in 5th grade. The book is set mostly in Brazil.

[Emma Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the setting of this book and the themes of navigating sibling relationships and facing one's fears, I just didn't love it. However, what decreased my rating from three to two stars was the inclusion of a character participating in a pagan ritual. While the ritual itself was not particularly alarming, the treatment of it as "just part of the culture" was very concerning.

[Laura L · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an adult I found this book to be rather boring, I rated it the way I think I would have had I been in the proper age group. The American Girl of the year book from 2006 for Jess, which is also set in Brazil, is much better.

[Kinsley Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was amazing!It had so many twist and turns like when Lea was afraid to swim but did it anyway.Or when she dropped her camera and she fought to swim down and get it.I really liked the book! I hope you like it!

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see if it was a book my granddaughters might enjoy. I thought 10 year old Lea’s relationship with her brother wasn’t great. I enjoyed parts of the story but not other parts…I won’t spoil the book by explaining further.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lea Dives In: kind of a middle-tier Girl of the Year book. I wasn't a huge fan of Lea as a character (she often comes off as kind of inconsiderate/thoughtless), but the story--a combination of travel excitement and a changing sibling relationship--was engaging enough.

[AurorainBookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why doesn't Lea's parents tell her not to take pictures of people without their permission? This book series loses one start because of that.