Rebecca: Lights, Camera, Rebecca!

American Girl: Rebecca #4-6

by Jacqueline Dembar Greene

Rebecca’s story continues in the second book in her series.

For her tenth birthday, Rebecca is invited to visit her cousin Max’s movie studio! When the cameras begin to roll, she finds herself unexpectedly presented with a part to play. Rebecca doesn’t have the courage to tell her family, but is it wrong to keep such a big secret? Later that summer, on a visit to the factory where her uncle and cousin work, Rebecca is horrified. Is this the life that’s in store for cousin Ana? There must be a way to improve conditions at the factory, and Rebecca is determined to do her part—even if it means marching straight into danger.

This audiobook includes a historical “Looking Back” section.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF containing a glossary of foreign words heard throughout the story.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Historical

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2019

About the author

Ms. Greene is an American author of more than 30 books and stories for young readers. In addition to her American Girl series, some of her notable books of fiction include: Out of Many Waters, a historical novel about the first Jewish settlement in America.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review for the 2019 abridged relaunch of Rebecca's story.

For the uninitiated, Rebecca's story began with six original books (pub. 2009) that were then grouped into two volumes (called the Beforever versions, pub. 2014). This series was relaunched (again) in 2019 and this is the second volume of Rebecca's story.

Now, I can definitely see why the Beforever versions were dropped. While they did contain almost the entirety of Rebecca's stories (with a few connecting paragraphs added or modified to make the bridge between the original books a bit smoother), the Beforevers failed to capture the *sparkle*.

Aka, the original books had these beautifully done illustrations, wonderfully fleshed out historical sections (with photographs), and were printed on some really nice paper (I admit it, I'm a paper snob).

And the Beforevers just didn't have that.

Now, we have the abridged version of her story - which is supposed to be the second volume of her stories.

Paging through this book, I immediately noticed that some of the pictures and photographs are back. The paper quality is up! Woot Woot!

However, if you are a Rebecca Superfan you will notice that there's a slight difference in this version compared to previous iterations of her story.

Aka...they dropped a book from her story.

In the original book series, we have Book 4 - Rebecca and the Movies, Book 5 - Rebecca to the Rescue, and Book 6 - Changes for Rebecca. However, this abridged book only contains Books 4 and 6 - completely and utterly getting rid of Book 5.

On the one hand, I can kind of get it.

The first abridged volume (Rebecca: The Sound of Applause ) dropped the Candlelight for Rebecca story - which was my favorite of her stories. It really did an amazing job of delving into what it means to be Jewish while surrounded by the societal pressures of Christmas in 1914.

And the second abridged volume (this book), drops Rebecca to the Rescue which has Victor (Rebecca's older brother)'s bar mitzvah and a family trip to Coney Island.

In both cases, by dropping one of the books, the American Girl Company has a more focused story about Rebecca's activism and dreams to be an actress. They don't have to cut corners on the other two books that were still kept.

But on the other hand, I feel a bit bummed.

Most of the American Girl historical books I've read so far have had wonderful stories but didn't really delve into what religion may mean to the girls. Candlelight and Rescue both provided that interesting and unique angle to her life.

I will say, Rebecca's Jewish heritage and practices are still very much present and important to her life in the remaining books but they just aren't the subject of the books.

The final rating

I went back and forth on how to rate this book. On the one hand...GOSH DANG I wish the would have kept more from the original series. I love it when the company goes out on a limb and gives us something unique about the girls.

That being said, the two books that were kept DO work together really well. They flow nicely and the storyline does feel complete. And there's the pictures, photographs, and upgraded paper. Overall, I felt it was worth 4 stars.

More reviews in the Rebecca-verse

Main Series:
Meet Rebecca - ★★★☆☆
Rebecca and Ana - ★★★★☆
Candlelight for Rebecca - ★★★★★
Rebecca and the Movies - ★★★★☆
Rebecca to the Rescue - ★★★☆☆
Changes for Rebecca - ★★★☆☆
Rebecca's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆

Mystery Books:
Secrets at Camp Nokomis - ★★★☆☆
A Bundle of Trouble - ★★★☆☆
The Crystal Ball - ★★★☆☆
A Growing Suspicion - ★★★★☆
The Showstopper - ★★☆☆☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books:
American Girl Cross-Stitch - ★★☆☆☆
American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook - ★☆☆☆☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆

Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2014):
The Sound of Applause - ★★★☆☆
Lights, Camera, Rebecca! - ★★★☆☆

Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2019):
Rebecca: The Sound of Applause - ★★☆☆☆
Rebecca: Lights, Camera, Rebecca - ★★★★☆

Picture Books:
Grandmas are the Best! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for the 2014 Beforever relaunch of the Rebecca series (Lights, Camera, Rebecca! A Rebecca Classic).

The second book in the relaunch duology combines the latter half of Rebecca's original story (namely Rebecca and the Movies, Rebecca to the Rescue, and Changes for Rebecca), into a single book.

The Beforever relaunch did us a solid by keeping Rebecca's story almost entirely unchanged - only adding a few connecting paragraphs to make the transition between the three original books a bit smoother.

So, if you are looking for a nostalgic reread of her life, then this is a fairly good choice.

BUT there is something important to consider: The Sparkles.

Aka, the original Rebecca books were printed on really nice paper, had gorgeous full-color illustrations throughout, and had a decently sized historical section in the back that described various events or historical trends that were happening in 1914.

This book has coarser paper, no illustrations, and no pictures. The lack of those extra details just brings the book down for me from 4 stars to 3. It's a bit of a bummer.

More reviews in the Rebecca-verse

Main Series:
Meet Rebecca - ★★★☆☆
Rebecca and Ana - ★★★★☆
Candlelight for Rebecca - ★★★★★
Rebecca and the Movies - ★★★★☆
Rebecca to the Rescue - ★★★☆☆
Changes for Rebecca - ★★★☆☆
Rebecca's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆

Mystery Books:
Secrets at Camp Nokomis - ★★★☆☆
A Bundle of Trouble - ★★★☆☆
The Crystal Ball - ★★★☆☆
A Growing Suspicion - ★★★★☆
The Showstopper - ★★☆☆☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books:
American Girl Cross-Stitch - ★★☆☆☆
American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook - ★☆☆☆☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆

Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2014):
The Sound of Applause - ★★★☆☆
Lights, Camera, Rebecca! - ★★★☆☆

Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2019):
Rebecca: The Sound of Applause - ★★☆☆☆
Rebecca: Lights, Camera, Rebecca - ★★★★☆

Picture Books:
Grandmas are the Best! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, the story is good. But since this is abridged you can definitely tell there's stuff missing. I haven't read the full version (3 books/1 combined book), but I'm pretty sure there's an entire book missing, plus details in the story they kept. Coney Island is nowhere to be found. Grumble grumble.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give it 3 1/2 stars

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised when my son wanted to read more American Girl books after we a few of the mysteries (he's really into mysteries and starting to like historical fiction quite a bit, and we found there was enough action to keep his interest). He liked Maryellen and then we moved on to Rebecca. I haven't become acquainted with the American Girls who have joined the collection since my childhood in the '80s and I really enjoyed meeting Rebecca. I've been involved in dance and theater since I was a kid, and I loved the glimpses into the early days of cinema and Rebecca's desire to be an actress and well as the way the experience of her Jewish immigrant family is woven in. I appreciate that the value of movies as a form of entertainment, escape and art is not undervalued while Rebecca also finds use for her talent in helping with an important cause (improving conditions for factory workers, such as her uncle and cousin). I was somewhat annoyed to find that these say they are abridgements, though these felt full and rich as I read them, so I'm not sure how much was actually edited out vs. separating (or, perhaps, consolidating) other volumes?

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

bummed again that they cut out book 5 but it’s fine because no one comes between me and rebecca

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

take away the Jewish part she reminds me a bit of ke at thar age

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

just like me; i love to act