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American Girl: Felicity #1
Meet Felicity: An American Girl
Felicity falls in love with a beautiful horse named Penny. When she discovers that the owner is cruel, she is determined to find a way to save Penny.
69 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
114 people are currently reading
2560 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 - 30 of 471 reviews
May 12, 2014
This is my first American Girl book. I wanted E to read them to get a little taste of history, and unfortunately, I have to say I didn't like this one. Maybe the others are different, I hope so, because I love the concept. The problem I had with this book, was that this little girl essentially stole, lied, disobeyed direct instructions of her parents and a neighbor, and trespassed repeatedly, even after warnings and getting caught, and really faced no consequences for those actions except for a "You should not have done that." At least she didn't get a 'happy ending' with the horse after all that. I understand that she is a 'spunky, free-spirited, independent' girl, which seems like others who reviewed this enjoyed, being different from the typical proper girls in the other books (which I haven't read, so I don't know), but I think there's a clear line between independence and disobedience. I think they could have still kept her free-spirited nature while having her not so blatantly doing so many wrong things with no remorse (Like Laura Ingalls Wilder, she was a great spunky girl, but didn't purposely do wrong things. She struggled to do the right thing, and even if she did do something wrong, she acknowledged the wrongfulness and accepted the consequences). While her goal was noble (loving and connecting with a terrified horse), the end doesn't justify the means. E, on the other hand, did enjoy the book. I hope she doesn't get any ideas from it though. Maybe it's just the 'old mom' in me, but I couldn't enjoy this book.
October 20, 2019
I've been listening to the American Girls podcast, where two women revisit these books, and in listening I realized I remembered basically nothing about them, so I requested a bunch from the library.
I thought I must have been an exceptionally oblivious child (I know I was) because the podcast talked about how Felicity's family were slave owners and I didn't remember that. But it was so elided in this book I don't think I would have caught it even as an adult. Marcus, the enslaved person in question, is mentioned in passing twice, once as someone who helps Felicity's father in the store, and once saying he cares for their horses. It's only in the Look into the Past section in the end that mentions he's an enslaved person.
Besides for that, I thought the whole Penny plot kind of dumb. Felicity seemed to be the sort of horse girl I was in the mid to late 90s, which is to say someone who likes books about horses but has never actually spent time with them or knows how to interact with them. I would expect an actual colonial girl to have a lot more actual knowledge and experience with horses, the way an actual modern girl would be familiar with cars even though 10 year olds can't drive. Sort of on the same note, no matter how badly the tannery smells or how "city" she is, an actual colonial girl would also be much more used to the process of raising animals for slaughter. But I guess in that sense, Felicity is written more to be relatable for a modern audience than to be historically accurate.
I thought I must have been an exceptionally oblivious child (I know I was) because the podcast talked about how Felicity's family were slave owners and I didn't remember that. But it was so elided in this book I don't think I would have caught it even as an adult. Marcus, the enslaved person in question, is mentioned in passing twice, once as someone who helps Felicity's father in the store, and once saying he cares for their horses. It's only in the Look into the Past section in the end that mentions he's an enslaved person.
Besides for that, I thought the whole Penny plot kind of dumb. Felicity seemed to be the sort of horse girl I was in the mid to late 90s, which is to say someone who likes books about horses but has never actually spent time with them or knows how to interact with them. I would expect an actual colonial girl to have a lot more actual knowledge and experience with horses, the way an actual modern girl would be familiar with cars even though 10 year olds can't drive. Sort of on the same note, no matter how badly the tannery smells or how "city" she is, an actual colonial girl would also be much more used to the process of raising animals for slaughter. But I guess in that sense, Felicity is written more to be relatable for a modern audience than to be historically accurate.
March 13, 2016
Rereading the American Girl books because springtime makes me nostalgic... I forgot how good this one was. :)
August 23, 2023
felicity: the ultimate horse girl
July 20, 2025
{July 2025 Reread}
Y'all I forgot that Ben's almost first words to Felicity are "As you wish"??? And then he lets her keep borrowing his breeches and calls her his friend?? And then he tries to suggest that they can use some of his money to buy Penny??
Icons only, I can already tell that this series is going to hold up, we love to see it.
Y'all I forgot that Ben's almost first words to Felicity are "As you wish"??? And then he lets her keep borrowing his breeches and calls her his friend?? And then he tries to suggest that they can use some of his money to buy Penny??
Icons only, I can already tell that this series is going to hold up, we love to see it.
July 23, 2024
Felicity, could I admire you any more?
March 23, 2024
This week, I discovered the American Girls Podcast, so there's going to be some re-reading going on. I was very into American Girl as a kid, and it deserves at least partial credit for my love of history, and of social history in particular.
That said, I haven't revisited most of these books in a long time, possibly over 20 years, so my memory of them is hazy. Felicity was neither my most or least favorite, and I don't remember having any particularly strong feelings about this book.
THAT said, I was also horse crazy at the time I first read this book. I would not have batted an eye at Felicity sneaking around to spend time with a horse she coveted. For that matter, a LOT of the books I read involved kids sneaking around the adults in their lives to go on adventures, so that would have seemed like Normal Story Progression, too.
As an adult, do Felicity's questionable choices outweigh the appeal of a "spunky" (per AG) main character who finds herself capable of patience and perseverance when she cares enough?
Um. It does still have a certain charm for me, and I mean — she's gotta start somewhere, right?
(This probably deserves 3 stars instead of 4, but it gets an automatic Old School AG boost, so there.)
Added later: Let's talk for half a sec about Felicity being kind of a tomboy.
The only reason it bothers me is that when these were written, she was the collection's only word on girlhood in the colonial period. And what we get is: horses are life, wow pants are amazing, dad's store is cool, women's work sucks.
Which for Felicity as an individual is fine — people in all time periods can like what they like - but it bothers me because the "women's work" that Felicity dislikes is also exactly the kind of work that historically has been minimized or underappreciated specifically because it was done by women.
The only answer, I think, is more characters so there can be more representation of different experiences. You'd hope that Elizabeth could help with that, but her book is a hot mess. Caroline, who loves both sailing and embroidery, provides a nice balance — it's a shame she was archived so quickly.
More Felicity babble
Meet Felicity | Felicity Learns a Lesson | Felicity’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Felicity | Felicity Saves the Day | Changes for Felicity
Very Funny, Elizabeth
Felicity’s New Sister | Felicity’s Dancing Shoes | Felicity Takes a Dare | Felicity Discovers a Secret | Felicity’s Short Story Collection
Peril at King’s Creek | Traitor in Williamsburg | Lady Margaret’s Ghost
That said, I haven't revisited most of these books in a long time, possibly over 20 years, so my memory of them is hazy. Felicity was neither my most or least favorite, and I don't remember having any particularly strong feelings about this book.
THAT said, I was also horse crazy at the time I first read this book. I would not have batted an eye at Felicity sneaking around to spend time with a horse she coveted. For that matter, a LOT of the books I read involved kids sneaking around the adults in their lives to go on adventures, so that would have seemed like Normal Story Progression, too.
As an adult, do Felicity's questionable choices outweigh the appeal of a "spunky" (per AG) main character who finds herself capable of patience and perseverance when she cares enough?
Um. It does still have a certain charm for me, and I mean — she's gotta start somewhere, right?
(This probably deserves 3 stars instead of 4, but it gets an automatic Old School AG boost, so there.)
Added later: Let's talk for half a sec about Felicity being kind of a tomboy.
The only reason it bothers me is that when these were written, she was the collection's only word on girlhood in the colonial period. And what we get is: horses are life, wow pants are amazing, dad's store is cool, women's work sucks.
Which for Felicity as an individual is fine — people in all time periods can like what they like - but it bothers me because the "women's work" that Felicity dislikes is also exactly the kind of work that historically has been minimized or underappreciated specifically because it was done by women.
The only answer, I think, is more characters so there can be more representation of different experiences. You'd hope that Elizabeth could help with that, but her book is a hot mess. Caroline, who loves both sailing and embroidery, provides a nice balance — it's a shame she was archived so quickly.
More Felicity babble
Meet Felicity | Felicity Learns a Lesson | Felicity’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Felicity | Felicity Saves the Day | Changes for Felicity
Very Funny, Elizabeth
Felicity’s New Sister | Felicity’s Dancing Shoes | Felicity Takes a Dare | Felicity Discovers a Secret | Felicity’s Short Story Collection
Peril at King’s Creek | Traitor in Williamsburg | Lady Margaret’s Ghost
July 23, 2024
Look, this was one of my favorite AG books series as a kid, and I still love it as an adult. Did it have flaws? Yes. Do I care? No, no, I do not.
August 17, 2023
she's giving ADHD i won't elaborate
April 24, 2024
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
not my favorite one but felicity has such an attitude and i love her for it
also ben is so cute and their friendship is goals
not my favorite one but felicity has such an attitude and i love her for it
also ben is so cute and their friendship is goals
April 16, 2021
Rereading this for work, and it still brings back such wonderful childhood memories! I related to Felicity so hard when I was a kid as I, too, was a horse girl.
July 6, 2021
this was such a nice throwback, oh my goodness. Felicity was my GIRL as a kid!
January 12, 2012
Felicity was one of my favorite of the American Girls. She lives in a fascinating time period, which is explored through her relationships and her reactions to events, in a manner that brought the American War for Independence and its issues to life for me in a way no textbook ever could. Felicity is a young girl when unrest begins brewing between the Colonists and the Crown. When war breaks out, her neighbors and even her own family find themselves on opposite sides. She has to choose her own side and also learn to appreciate the choices of others. She also loved horses:)
February 2, 2023
We were given the movie by a friend. I told the girls we could watch it after we read the books. So here goes. It's been a long time since I've read these. The girls really liked it and are constantly asking me to begin book 2. We paused every now and then to discuss Felicity's actions and what would have been better for her to do.
August 16, 2023
Meet Felicity took me right back to playing AG dolls with my childhood best friend! So much nostalgia. I adore how kind and compassion Felicity is towards animals, and her love for Penny just melts my heart. ❤️
February 15, 2016
"Meet Felicity" by Valerie Tripp; Pleasant Company Publications, 2000; Pages: 69; Genre: Historical fiction, Chapter Story; Grade Level: 3-5; Lexile Level: 600L; Guided Reading Level: Q
In this thrilling short chapter story, readers are swept back in time to colonial America in 1774. Times are starting to become turbulent for young Felicity Merriman and her family. Felecity's father is a shopkeeper in Williamsburg, Virginia and, as such, must decide whether he stands with the Patriots or the Loyalists when tensions begin to rise over King George's actions against the colonists. The story is told from Felicity's perspective and centers mainly on her desire for a horse. Throughout the story, there are illustrated pictures of scenes in the book. The author also put images of historically significant images that may be foreign to the reader with labels of what they are and what they are used for. Although the main storyline in this book is about Felicity's attempt to secure a horse, there are many underling historically accurate parts to the story such as the gender specific roles of boys and girls of the era. Additonally, the rising issues of the colonies against their Mother Country, England are highlighted in this book.
One teaching idea that could be used with this text is to have students read the text and then discuss gender roles of that era. It is often times difficult for students to fully understand the different roles girls and boys were expected to fulfill in their lifetime and in this story Felicity goes out of the norm for girls of her generation when she steals a horse wearing breeches and when she wants more out of life than to simply learn how to sew. The story also discusses a young boy who apprentices at her father's shop. By reading this book students can take a better look at life in colonial era and better understand how significant the change in the role of women was from pre-American Revolution to during the American Revolution when they went with their husbands and assisted on the battle front.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3
In this thrilling short chapter story, readers are swept back in time to colonial America in 1774. Times are starting to become turbulent for young Felicity Merriman and her family. Felecity's father is a shopkeeper in Williamsburg, Virginia and, as such, must decide whether he stands with the Patriots or the Loyalists when tensions begin to rise over King George's actions against the colonists. The story is told from Felicity's perspective and centers mainly on her desire for a horse. Throughout the story, there are illustrated pictures of scenes in the book. The author also put images of historically significant images that may be foreign to the reader with labels of what they are and what they are used for. Although the main storyline in this book is about Felicity's attempt to secure a horse, there are many underling historically accurate parts to the story such as the gender specific roles of boys and girls of the era. Additonally, the rising issues of the colonies against their Mother Country, England are highlighted in this book.
One teaching idea that could be used with this text is to have students read the text and then discuss gender roles of that era. It is often times difficult for students to fully understand the different roles girls and boys were expected to fulfill in their lifetime and in this story Felicity goes out of the norm for girls of her generation when she steals a horse wearing breeches and when she wants more out of life than to simply learn how to sew. The story also discusses a young boy who apprentices at her father's shop. By reading this book students can take a better look at life in colonial era and better understand how significant the change in the role of women was from pre-American Revolution to during the American Revolution when they went with their husbands and assisted on the battle front.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3
April 28, 2025
Read-aloud with 5yo girl.
Reading the American Girl Collection as a young girl definitely contributed to my current love for and enjoyment of Historical Fiction, so it’s a special joy to share these stories with my daughter.
I will say - I do not remember the commonality of sneaking out of the house unbeknownst to adults, and the girls not really facing any consequences for behavior. But, it does provide space for good conversations.
Reading the American Girl Collection as a young girl definitely contributed to my current love for and enjoyment of Historical Fiction, so it’s a special joy to share these stories with my daughter.
I will say - I do not remember the commonality of sneaking out of the house unbeknownst to adults, and the girls not really facing any consequences for behavior. But, it does provide space for good conversations.
Read
January 17, 2025Years ago, but noting it here in honor of the teatime at the American Girl Place with dear family earlier this week.
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Reread aloud to kids, finishing January 17, 2025.
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Reread aloud to kids, finishing January 17, 2025.
March 14, 2022
Felicity has always been my favorite American Girl. This story makes me love her & her spirit even more ❤️
October 2, 2025
(3.75 stars rounded up)
For our history studies this year, we are using the @littleschoolofsmiths American Girl History curriculum, and so far, it has brought so much joy and fun to our homeschool days!
As we prepared to study life in Colonial America—and while waiting for all of our library holds—we read Meet Felicity. This story follows a spirited nine-year-old girl living in Williamsburg, Virginia, just before the Revolutionary War, who risks a great deal to help a beautiful horse owned by the unkind Jiggy Nye.
I have such fond memories of reading the American Girl books as a child, and reading them now with my daughters has been such a treat, but I have to admit, experiencing them as a mom gives a whole new perspective.
Meet Felicity gives young readers a glimpse into life in Colonial America, including daily responsibilities and aspects of town life, such as the tannery, local stores, and the bustle of a small colonial community. Some moments are a bit hard to read, including cruelty toward Penny the horse and harsh words directed at Felicity herself. Felicity’s choices—sneaking out for over a month, lying about her whereabouts, and deceiving others—also provided opportunities for meaningful conversations. Through the story, we discussed topics like gossip; navigating difficult situations; seeking guidance and trust from parents; how our intentions, while often good, don’t always match our actions; and most importantly, that our hope is not found in people or things, but in Christ alone.
🍎 RECOMMENDED FOR ages 8+. Parents may want to preread for younger or more sensitive listeners and to prepare for discussions on some of the story’s heavier topics.
✨ CONTENT TO CONSIDER: Cruelty and cruel language, light name-calling, lying and deception, sneaking out of the house, and a mention of a good luck charm.
For our history studies this year, we are using the @littleschoolofsmiths American Girl History curriculum, and so far, it has brought so much joy and fun to our homeschool days!
As we prepared to study life in Colonial America—and while waiting for all of our library holds—we read Meet Felicity. This story follows a spirited nine-year-old girl living in Williamsburg, Virginia, just before the Revolutionary War, who risks a great deal to help a beautiful horse owned by the unkind Jiggy Nye.
I have such fond memories of reading the American Girl books as a child, and reading them now with my daughters has been such a treat, but I have to admit, experiencing them as a mom gives a whole new perspective.
Meet Felicity gives young readers a glimpse into life in Colonial America, including daily responsibilities and aspects of town life, such as the tannery, local stores, and the bustle of a small colonial community. Some moments are a bit hard to read, including cruelty toward Penny the horse and harsh words directed at Felicity herself. Felicity’s choices—sneaking out for over a month, lying about her whereabouts, and deceiving others—also provided opportunities for meaningful conversations. Through the story, we discussed topics like gossip; navigating difficult situations; seeking guidance and trust from parents; how our intentions, while often good, don’t always match our actions; and most importantly, that our hope is not found in people or things, but in Christ alone.
🍎 RECOMMENDED FOR ages 8+. Parents may want to preread for younger or more sensitive listeners and to prepare for discussions on some of the story’s heavier topics.
✨ CONTENT TO CONSIDER: Cruelty and cruel language, light name-calling, lying and deception, sneaking out of the house, and a mention of a good luck charm.
November 5, 2024
I loved Felicity as a character. I was really surprised by this - but I absolutely adored this firey little girl. She was a constant ADHD mood, she was willful and strong, but she was also deeply caring and kindhearted.
But did I love her books...? Well. Hm. I don't think so.
1) I am not a horse girl, in real life or in fiction. I just don't like stories centered on any animal, to be fair. That's not a flaw of this book. It's just something that puts me off as a reader.
2) The elephant in the room when it comes to Felicity is, of course, how her stories handle slavery. Or more accurately, how they *don't* handle it. It just never comes up! It's vaguely mentioned that her family owns slaves, and we see them around sometimes, but that's it.
It's really atrocious. I'm not the first person to point this out. You don't need me to tell you that it's weird as fuck that this book is more concerned with the independence of a horse then it is of an enslaved person.
And I mean... it's the time period. I understand that. But in the same way that child labor was the norm for Samantha's time period and she still spoke against it, I believe it would have been completely possible for Felicity to speak up against slavery. Or at the very least *have a single opinion on the matter*!
But did I love her books...? Well. Hm. I don't think so.
1) I am not a horse girl, in real life or in fiction. I just don't like stories centered on any animal, to be fair. That's not a flaw of this book. It's just something that puts me off as a reader.
2) The elephant in the room when it comes to Felicity is, of course, how her stories handle slavery. Or more accurately, how they *don't* handle it. It just never comes up! It's vaguely mentioned that her family owns slaves, and we see them around sometimes, but that's it.
It's really atrocious. I'm not the first person to point this out. You don't need me to tell you that it's weird as fuck that this book is more concerned with the independence of a horse then it is of an enslaved person.
And I mean... it's the time period. I understand that. But in the same way that child labor was the norm for Samantha's time period and she still spoke against it, I believe it would have been completely possible for Felicity to speak up against slavery. Or at the very least *have a single opinion on the matter*!
October 11, 2020
CWs: alcoholism, animal abuse, verbal abuse
The plotline had nothing to do with the American Revolution like I expected. But I enjoyed the plotline of Felicity saving a horse from death all the same. I think it is a good introduction to her character.
The plotline had nothing to do with the American Revolution like I expected. But I enjoyed the plotline of Felicity saving a horse from death all the same. I think it is a good introduction to her character.
August 4, 2021
A nice introduction to historical fiction. I like the addition of historical facts of the time period at the end.
February 20, 2025
AHHH YESS CHILDHOOD MEMORIESS
March 5, 2025
Not gonna lie, I never realized how much of this book is solely about Penny and not Colonial Williamsburg? But it still ate!!! Felicity is the OG horse girl and is such a spastic little gal that I literally wanted to be a child. Except for the part when she steals a horse. I wonder where PETA was in 1774??? My guess is Felicity is founding member.
August 20, 2025
PENNY 🫶
i keep forgetting that elizabeth doesn’t show up until the second book lol
i keep forgetting that elizabeth doesn’t show up until the second book lol
February 17, 2025
Surprisingly, both big kids were SUPER into this story! Thanks Auntie Grace!!
January 21, 2022
Eleanor’s review: I think it was four stars because the ending was good but the middle had boring parts. My favorite thing is the horse got free. Felicity was my favorite character.
October 30, 2019
Revisiting childhood favorites in tandem with listening to the American Girls podcast. Felicity was never my favorite, but I always wished I was more headstrong and determined like she was.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews