A Stand for Independence

American Girl: Felicity #4-6

by Valerie Tripp

When Felicity overhears a plot against the colonists, no one believes her but Ben, her father's apprentice. So the two risk great danger to warn the colonists themselves. Soon afterward, Felicity finds a secret note from Ben. He has run away to join George Washington's army, and he is injured. Felicity is worried about him but knows it would be wrong to help a runaway apprentice. Then she is turned away from the door of her best friend, Elizabeth. Will the war for independence come between Felicity and her friends?

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

165 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

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

[Esther Shingler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mature themes of loyalty, loss and friendship. Still a wonderful read-a-loud for my 5, 6 and 8 year old daughters.

[Sheelie Kittee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the American Girl books, how they do bring back such good memories!!

Felicity was one of my favourites, although I don't believe I had her as the doll - I had Kirsten and Samantha instead. Really inspiring story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first volume! Nice to see Felicity standing up for her family while still following her moral compass. I was disappointed in the lack of mention about slaves on her grandfather's plantation and the moral implications there. Hard to like Grandfather when we know he's a slave owner.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

[Antonela LoRusso · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Thank you Valerie! I loved how it ended with Elizabeth being the first of Felicity's customers. I hope to one day find a friend like Elizabeth.