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American Girl: Molly #5
Molly Saves the Day: A Summer Story (American Girls Collection
Molly conquers her fear of swimming underwater when she and the other campers at Camp Gowonagin divide into two teams to play Color War.
69 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1988
About the author
Valerie Tripp
284 books476 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 - 30 of 179 reviews
January 14, 2026
"Molly always got goose bumps up and down her arms when they sang the camp song. Standing shoulder to shoulder with all the other campers made her feel proud."
Molly and her two best friends, Linda and Susan, went away to summer camp for the very first time. They're a little nervous at first but soon the trio feels right at home - flag ceremonies, singing, crafts and adventure. Molly isn't a huge fan of the swimming bits but overall it isn't too bad.
As her two week camping extravaganza wraps up, their camp counselors announce a "Color War" - Susan and Molly are put on the blue team while Linda gets assigned the red. They split apart and get the plans from their team leader.
At first the three girls are excited...but quickly what seemed to be a light-hearted games twists as everyone becomes serious.
"First, I practically drown, she thought. Then, even worse, my best friend tastes me like an enemy. I guess friendship doesn't count during a war."
When everything looks hopeless for Molly's team, Molly comes up with an idea. But it is a big idea - a scary idea - one that might change the course of her friendships forever.
"My dad told us he was scared before he went away to war," she said. "But he said it was okay to be scared because it meant he had a chance to be brave."
Honestly, this one was pretty darn good but I feel like this series is giving me whiplash. The first two books were rough for me, the third was great, the fourth was really bad, and now we are back up at the top.
That being said, I do question the Lord-of-the-Flies-esque Color War idea from the counselors. The camp director Miss Butternut makes it sound like a really fun way to end camp but everyone just seemed miserable.
"No," said Susan, "but I don't see why we have to do something so mean to Linda. She's our best friend."
Friendships are stretched to their breaking point, half the girls didn't get lunch, the blue team is immediately captured and spends most of the game just waiting to be rescued by Molly. It doesn't sound very fun to me.
But putting that aside, I did relate to several moments that Molly went through - where camp is a place to try new things, to take chances and to make mistakes (and figure out how to fix them).
I have so many fond memories of going to a girl scout camp as a child and reading Molly's book for the first time brought up all the pleasant, happy times.
On one last side note - where did Emily-from-England go??? The previous book was so focused on Emily and then Molly's new puppy...but neither of them get mentioned in this book?
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 - ★★★★☆
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)
Molly's Historical and Activity Books
Molly's Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Molly's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Molly's Craft Book - ★★★★☆
Molly's Route 66 Adventure - ★★★★★
Molly's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
Welcome to Molly's World - ★★★★★
Additional Historical and Activity Books Featuring Molly
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 - ★★★★☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
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) - ★★★★☆
August 24, 2017
Molly does not fuck around when it comes to capture the flag.
The best book on the the best American Girl.
The best book on the the best American Girl.
April 2, 2022
wish i went to summer camp.
July 5, 2017
Way to save the day through ethically questionable behavior, Molly. Color War is hell.
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
November 15, 2024
Honestly, Molly is such a good character. I remember why I loved her as a kid.
Poor Linda. I don't know if I'd have forgiven them as quickly. 😂😂
Poor Linda. I don't know if I'd have forgiven them as quickly. 😂😂
August 15, 2026
A good story about what summer camp might have looked like in 1944!
There's a capture the flag game, near the end of camp. It showed how soldiers justify the fighting, killing... Even if it's someone they care about, or love, they end up fighting against. Much opportunity to go deeper, if desired, but also told in a lighter way for children.
The historical note was good. I wonder if we still have camps, like they did then? I hope we do.
There's a capture the flag game, near the end of camp. It showed how soldiers justify the fighting, killing... Even if it's someone they care about, or love, they end up fighting against. Much opportunity to go deeper, if desired, but also told in a lighter way for children.
The historical note was good. I wonder if we still have camps, like they did then? I hope we do.
December 26, 2023
Molly's friend Linda did her job in the Color War and blew a whistle to let the Red Team know that Molly, AKA the Blue Team, was coming.
Molly retaliated by pouring a bucket of spiders and worms all over Linda's body expressly because Linda told Molly they were her biggest fear. In the world. During *World War II.*
I don't want to get into the details of what other fears Linda was weighing in 1943 or what the actual wartime equivalent of a bucket of bugs might be. That's not for me to litigate in a Goodreads review. I'm just saying if I were in Linda's shoes, I am *not* giving Molly an ice cream cone now or ever again. Poison ivy is the least of Molly's concerns now. Molly has made an enemy for life, and Molly needs to start praying she's let into hell because she is not seeing the light of heaven.
Molly retaliated by pouring a bucket of spiders and worms all over Linda's body expressly because Linda told Molly they were her biggest fear. In the world. During *World War II.*
I don't want to get into the details of what other fears Linda was weighing in 1943 or what the actual wartime equivalent of a bucket of bugs might be. That's not for me to litigate in a Goodreads review. I'm just saying if I were in Linda's shoes, I am *not* giving Molly an ice cream cone now or ever again. Poison ivy is the least of Molly's concerns now. Molly has made an enemy for life, and Molly needs to start praying she's let into hell because she is not seeing the light of heaven.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2022
Molly is a bad friend and doesn’t even apologize for it. Justice for Linda
Read
October 17, 2022Don't we all love it when summer camp games become full on war?
November 16, 2024
This was a fun one. Some events as the girls arrived at camp thrilled my God-loving, patriotic lil heart.
Bravo, AG.
Their friend Linda sure was much better at forgiveness than I honestly would have been tho.' Good for you, Linda!
Bravo, AG.
Their friend Linda sure was much better at forgiveness than I honestly would have been tho.' Good for you, Linda!
July 29, 2022
I never went to summer camp so this doesn't make me have nostalgia or anything. As always, Molly gets what she's wants no matter the cost, other's feelings be damned. She legit threw worms at her best friend and even the adults didn't see anything wrong with it and her bestie was like yeah that's okay. Fucking swear Molly sucks.
December 14, 2019
This one was definitely my least favorite in the series.
July 11, 2023
No offense to Susan but she’s absolutely not an asset to the Blue Army
November 4, 2024
i understand why the book is structured this way. because it has very limited time and it needs to Save The Day. but hearing brief exposition about all the parts of summer camp which actually interest me, while spending the rest of the book on a thing which is boring as sin to me, feels like a crime
September 14, 2025
Incredible. I’m actually starting to like Molly. Staring to realize that these books are very intentionally building a great character arc across the books. She started so selfish and fragile and has turned more and more brave, scrappy and empathetic. Best book of the series so far! The backstabbing friends had a nice full circle reunion and that was nice to see.
October 4, 2026
When I was a kid, this book stressed me out - from the friends fighting, cans of worms and poison ivy. As an adult, it still stressed me out but I thought the canoe barge D-Day reference/ strategy was very clever
October 17, 2025
It was enjoyable to see how sometimes facing our fears teaches us to do better at them.
March 5, 2022
I didn't really care for this book. Maybe because I never went to summer camp nor did I ever have a desire to go to summer camp. Neither did I like the way Linda was made to be an enemy of Molly and Susan. I think while a world war was going on it was a poor decision by the counselors to have the girls in the camp be "enemies". The illustration on the cover is also silly. I doubt Molly could swim underwater without her glasses falling off.
At least Molly actually saves the day, unlike many previous American Girl books where the main character does something naughty or foolish only to save the day from her mistake. The book gets an extra star because of this. I hope the last book is better.
At least Molly actually saves the day, unlike many previous American Girl books where the main character does something naughty or foolish only to save the day from her mistake. The book gets an extra star because of this. I hope the last book is better.
November 10, 2024
Molly has a bad rap in our house for being annoying but honestly all 9 year old girls are annoying. This story featured the golden age of sleep away camp and a game of Capture the Flag. I appreciate that Molly could relate it to the actual war her father was fighting as well as drawing a solution from newsreels. All the girls had a manageable challenge and proved to be resilient. Also got an unknown history of sleep away camps related to WW II. By far my favorite AG book in the Modern Mrs Darcy AG read along.
August 22, 2017
Another super exciting AG summer book. I love this so much and I love how all the Molly books teach you really clearly what home front was like and war time events from the 40s. Molly is one of my top fav AG characters.
April 5, 2023
Molly is a girlboss at capture the flag. She even threw a can of worms on her own bestie’s head 😳🥫🪱 This book was very Samantha-esque and reminded me of the trip to Teardrop Island in Samantha Saves the Day. Very adventurous and reminiscent of summers spent away at camp!
October 8, 2025
While lacking the usually depth and sentimental charm of Valerie Tripp’s Molly stories this far - all is fair in a camp game. It was nice to see the girls roll up their sleeves and take risks.
And while I don’t remember any of the storyline from growing up, I do remember every single picture in the “Peek Into The Past” and most of the camp songs so I must have been just OBSESSED with the campy Americana of this book.
I mean, that cover image? Talk about a glorious flag and one very enthusiastic American.
And while I don’t remember any of the storyline from growing up, I do remember every single picture in the “Peek Into The Past” and most of the camp songs so I must have been just OBSESSED with the campy Americana of this book.
I mean, that cover image? Talk about a glorious flag and one very enthusiastic American.
June 4, 2023
loooooove the camp setting
August 7, 2023
I loved reading this absolute classic again. The OG AG/PC stories absolutely hold up. So much nostalgia.
December 31, 2023
Epic Molly Hero Arc
May 14, 2025
Molly's series as a whole has been mixed for me, but I did really enjoy her innovation in this book.
December 31, 2025
Why would she throw ants on her friend
July 11, 2023
undeniably the most iconic and fun! it was my favorite as a child and still is now!!
December 7, 2020
Re-reading as an adult, here's what stands out:
- All the camp songs Tripp makes up for this book are highly annoying.
- Linda's casual mention that she hates bugs and worms are so obviously Chekhov's Creepy Crawlies.
- Valerie Tripp's made-up geography always sounds the same. Chocolate Drop Island, Poison Point, Goose Lake from Samantha Saves the Day - it's all very on the nose.
- It's a good thing for Molly that the Color War is held at the very end of camp, or I think Molly would have faced a lot of wrath from all the girls with poison ivy.
I wish I had a clearer memory of reading this as a kid - whether at any point in my life, going to a camp like this would have sounded like fun. Multiplication bee in Molly Learns a Lesson? All in. Tap dancing in Changes for Molly? Oh hell yeah. But outdoorsy crafts and overboard team spirit? I'll take a canoe and wait for you somewhere far, far away from Poison Point.
- All the camp songs Tripp makes up for this book are highly annoying.
- Linda's casual mention that she hates bugs and worms are so obviously Chekhov's Creepy Crawlies.
- Valerie Tripp's made-up geography always sounds the same. Chocolate Drop Island, Poison Point, Goose Lake from Samantha Saves the Day - it's all very on the nose.
- It's a good thing for Molly that the Color War is held at the very end of camp, or I think Molly would have faced a lot of wrath from all the girls with poison ivy.
I wish I had a clearer memory of reading this as a kid - whether at any point in my life, going to a camp like this would have sounded like fun. Multiplication bee in Molly Learns a Lesson? All in. Tap dancing in Changes for Molly? Oh hell yeah. But outdoorsy crafts and overboard team spirit? I'll take a canoe and wait for you somewhere far, far away from Poison Point.
May 25, 2012
This was one of my favorites when I was a child. It's very exciting, and I liked the summer camp environment, beautiful illustrations, and unexpected conflicts within the narrative. Also, and most importantly, I connected with this because Molly shared my terror of putting her face in the water. Seeing her overcome her fear didn't make me get over mine immediately, but the handling of her feelings within the narrative made me feel validated and understood.
I related to Molly SO MUCH. I'm glad that I had her to feel a sense of kinship with, and this was by far my favorite of all the saves-the-day books in the American Girl series. It also gave me a raving desire to play Capture the Flag, and because of this book, I always enjoyed my eventual opportunities to do so far more than I would have otherwise.
I related to Molly SO MUCH. I'm glad that I had her to feel a sense of kinship with, and this was by far my favorite of all the saves-the-day books in the American Girl series. It also gave me a raving desire to play Capture the Flag, and because of this book, I always enjoyed my eventual opportunities to do so far more than I would have otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews