Changes for Kaya: A Story of Courage

American Girl: Kaya #6

by Janet Beeler Shaw

Speaking Rain has returned to Kaya's family, but Kaya still has one last fear--that she'll never see her beloved horse, Steps High, again. When Kaya hears of a heard of Nimíipuu horses running wild in the mountains, she hopes Steps High is one of them. Kaya soon has a chance to find out for herself when she joins the elk-hunting party traveling into the mountains. Kaya is filled with excitement and hope, but Speaking Rain is troubled by the smoke she smells on the wind--smoke from mountain fire. As Kaya searches for her beautiful horse, she has to face a fear greater than any she's ever known.

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

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, reading for the first time as an adult, in advance of the Dolls of Our Lives podcast.

OF COURSE we get Steps High back, but Shaw makes us all sweat over it, reader and characters alike. (Brain while reading: AG WOULDN'T LET SHAW KILL THE HORSES, RIGHT???) That's the centerpiece of the book: everything leads up to the horses and the forest fire. It's truly intense.

Everything around it is closure and follow-up:
- Kaya says she's rarely called Magpie now, and when it does come up, we see she handles it gracefully.
- Kaya decides her mourning period has ended and Kautsa welcomes her back to gathering duties.
- At the end, we see preparations for Brown Deer's wedding as visitors start to arrive.
- Kautsa tells Kaya that soon she will be ready to go on her vision quest.

I wish we were able to see more of the last two items (more in a minute), but this book only has room to gesture that they're coming.

Fun AG parallels:
- When Kaya spots the horses during an elk hunt, she contemplates going off on her own à la Kirsten and the honey tree. Fortunately, a pair of deus ex machina magpies jolt her back to her senses.
- Like Penny, Steps High is gone for three books, though not the same three. (Penny is missing from 2, 3, and 4; Steps High is missing from 3, 4, and 5.)
- Just like Penny, Steps High now has a foal.
- Like Changes for Kirsten, apparently we needed a big fire in the final book?? (No. Thank. You.)

I don't usually review the Peek Into the Past sections because I leave that to the actual historians, however: While they always try to pack in a lot, this one is truly A LOT. Here, have a brief history of 200+ years of oppression and genocide against Native Americans - and then watch the book try to paint a happily ever after in the last couple paragraphs. Yikes.

Thoughts about the series as a whole

Structure
The series broke with previous AG patterns in a lot of ways - title changes, no formal school, no birthday - but it still struggles against the AG format in more structural ways. It wants to be longer, and it doesn't want to be confined to age nine-ten. The books are practically bursting to tell us about Brown Deer's wedding and Kaya's vision quest and her wyakin and how she eventually takes on Swan Circling's name. All of those milestones are set up, but we don't get the payoff because Kaya isn't quite old enough yet. (I don't know why we don't get Brown Deer's wedding. Not enough room and wanting to keep the focus on Kaya, presumably, which is a bummer.)

You might even say this series is the opposite of Samantha's: Sam's stories are fine on their own but don't have much of a series arc. Kaya's stories have so much arc, they want to be one book.

As a bonus, that would have let Shaw stop explaining events of previous books every other page. I wonder if the two-volume "Beforever" editions from 2014 feel more cohesive.

Even as they are, though, the strong narrative through-lines between volumes mean that we get clear, continuous, consistent character development for Kaya as she gets better at checking her impulses and remembering to think about the good of the group before her own personal wants.


Representation
Not having any significant background knowledge about Nez Perce culture, I'd say Shaw does a perfectly nice job with these books: I have been entertained and also learned a few things along the way. The many, many cultural things that have to be explained are a bit of a burden on the narrative, but Shaw does her best. I still think they should have found a Native writer, though.

My only complaint is that it almost feels like everybody is too serene - like Shaw is afraid to let her Native characters be mean or petty or cranky. It's normal for AG books to be on the sugar-coated side of life, but there's definitely no Jiggy Nye in this series.

Zooming out to the macro view, diversity represents a particular challenge for American Girl, because they create specific characters while also asking each doll to represent an era. And in the case of the non-white characters, often they're ALSO asked to stand in for their entire race or ethnicity. Kaya has been the only Native character for nearly 20 years. Josefina has been the only historical Hispanic character for even longer. Addy stood alone for a long time until Cécile came along, only for Cécile to be archived after only a few years. In 35 years, AG still hasn't done an Asian American other than one archived best friend character.

So here's Kaya, one specific character, being asked to represent The Native American Experience. Even within her time period, you'd get very different stories if AG created a character who was Navajo or Seminole or Cherokee - just as you'd get very different stories among a group of 1765 characters in England, Italy and Poland. And I guess what is really bothering me here is that I struggle to picture AG doing another historical Native character and that makes me sad. Two reasons:

- Although the stories and culture would be very different for a character from another region, if you have another pre-colonial Native girl, you give the impression that Native people and culture disappeared as the United States took shape. (Which... not for lack of trying by the U.S. government.)

- On the other hand, if you place her after contact with Europeans, which tragedy would you like her to be a part of? The Wounded Knee girl? The Trail of Tears girl? The Indian boarding school girl who isn't allowed to use her own language? An Osage girl whose family is killed over oil rights?

Maybe what you do you set her in Oklahoma five or ten years after the Removal and part of the story is about keeping your culture alive in a new place, and deciding what changes are worth adopting.

Maybe the easiest answer is to add a Native girl to the Girl of the Year line, though personally my heart belongs to the historical line.

Where in history would you want another Native character set?


More Kaya babble

Meet Kaya | Kaya’s Escape | Kaya’s Hero | Kaya and Lone Dog | Kaya Shows the Way | Changes for Kaya

Kaya and the River Girl | Kaya’s Short Story Collection

The Silent Stranger | The Ghost Wind Stallion

The Roar of the Falls

[Olde American Spirit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I forgot to document this last book in the series that I read last week.

Parts of this one were much better than the rest of the series.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite story about Kaya. Why? Because of Steps High and Sparks Flying! No other horse can replace Steps High!

So this is the reunion story that everyone has been waiting for! And once again it is no big secret as it is right on the front cover! But to get her mare back she has to face a scary wildfire! Lots of action in here. Will Steps High remember her? Needless to say I read this one quickly. I think this is every horse crazy girl's dream.

And I just love the beautiful pictures in here of her and her mare! There are several of them in this edition that I have. Three full page full color paintings! So lovely!

I must admit I am also very curious about the tiny horses that Kaya made in this story out of bent willow... They are supposed to be toys for her younger brothers. How clever. I think it would be a great craft for someone who is horse crazy. I might actually try it.

The book does talk about Kaya going on her spirit quest someday in the future to find her guide. It's a tad sad the series never actually covered that.

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best Kaya book. But that's not saying too much.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried a lot.

[RaspberryRoses · Rating 4 out of 5]

As other reviewers have said, this book series a) feels like it wishes it was a more cohesive singular novel, rather then a series of 6 and b) feels like it wishes it could extend further in time. Although I feel like many AG books are like this, teasing us with events that will happen Just After the story is over.

I found this book wrapped up most of it's plots well, and it showed some real character development from Kaya - something which has definitely been all over the place.

[Maura O'Dea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gonna review the last 3 books in the series here! The 5th book (A Sister Story) was my favorite for sure, incredibly tender reunion scene about sisterhood, owing debts, and growing up.

I accidentally read all of these out of order and read the last book first, since I wasn’t sure where the mystery would fall. I think there might be a fatal flaw to all American Girl books, which is that they’re dressed as coming of age stories but the girls CANT come of age. They have to be girls forever. So although they grow in small ways, they never seem to move out of the phase of childhood, which at least in the Kaya series makes it feel like you’re building up to this big moment (Kaya going on her vision quest and receiving her wyakin, which is like a spirit animal) but that moment can’t arrive.

Overall though I love these books, the illustrations really unlocked some deep childhood memories :))

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far the rating for my favorites sit thusly:
Addy
Felicity
Kaya
Josefina
Samantha
Kit
Molly
Some of the margins are wider than others, but I’ve been having a wonderful time reading the series. I’m going to finish the year with Kirsten.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the main Kaya series, I was curious what kind of conclusion we would be given. As each of the smaller books was more like an installment in one full-length novel, I had to assume that we would wrap up at least the major plot points. Even though there are several subsequent novels for this character, my understanding (from reading the synopsis of each) is that they are more self-contained stories. I dove in with some expectations.

What I liked about Changes for Kaya:
Definite character growth - We've traveled a long way from the whiny Kaya to whom we were introduced. She has endured some difficult trials, especially when you consider that she's just a child. But the changes she has made are directly relational and it is satisfying to recognize how she's matured since the beginning.
The intensity - This series has presented its moments of drama. There's no question of that. The descriptive nature of the wildfire was exceptionally well-executed. Every word made my senses tingle as if I were there with them. I was duly impressed.
We got a fun surprise! - I am not ashamed to say that my inner little girl clapped her hands with glee over Kaya's astonished wonder over... well... no spoilers here. ::wink::

What I didn't care for:
I honestly can't think of anything - This ended up being my favorite book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was an excellent series for a middle grade reader. There was action. There were lessons. There was solid character development. And you get a cultural and historical education built in from which even an adult reading alongside a child will benefit. This is the American Girl book series I've explored and I would have no qualms gifting it, though given some of the intense circumstances presented, I would take care in making sure the recipient was capable of handling it before introducing it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can definitely see the emotional growth and maturity in Kaya from her very first story, to the (official) close of her series.

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full series review for Kaya:
The thing about Kaya’s books is that all of them feel like there’s enough material in them to produce a full-length novel and therefore they’re hindered by being condensed into such a short page count. Still, I enjoyed them quite a bit and found Kaya an endearing and compelling character to follow.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I really liked this one! So much so that I actually managed to read it all in one sitting! (Though, that may be partly because I felt like my mind was surprisingly quiet enough that I could focus on it and I wanted to ride out that momentum till the end.)

I'm glad things worked out for Kaya, in the end. She got her sister back. She got her horse back. And she even seemingly earned her adoption of Swan Circling's name. Though that last one was more foreshadowed, but the tease was still very satisfying.

But kinda like when I read the Courtney books, I find myself still wanting more. While the optimistic open ending was nice, I wanna see Brown Deer's wedding to Cut Cheek. And I wanna read about Kaya's vision quest. I guess that was sort of teased back in the second book, when she and Two Hawks escaped from their captors and a weak Kaya thought she saw a wolf in the mountains just before she reunited with her father. But I wanna read about it for real! I wanna know what that experience is really like, how grueling it must be and what the outcome is like, what sort of wyakin Kaya will find herself with. That second book obviously teases that hers will be a wolf, but what if it's a horse instead, given her strong emotional connection to Steps High? Can someone have a horse as their wyakin? I wanna know!

At least I know the series does continue in some short stories and two mystery books, so maybe I'll check those out sometime in the future. And the Beforever series, which I believe is just the 6-book series split into two volumes (books 1-3 in one and 5-6 in another), but maybe they'll expand on some stuff, given their lengths and that they're aimed at slightly older children? I'll see. Again, something worth checking out in the future.

And that concludes my read through the Kaya series! I did really like it, in the end. It took me a little while, like beyond the first book, for me to develop a good understanding of Nez Perce culture and how things work in Kaya's tribe. But once I got there, I was better able to enjoy and appreciate Kaya's story. I think I might even to back and adjust my ratings for some of her books, as I gave most of them a pretty generic 3-star rating. But some, like this final entry, were a bit stronger than that. And I guess it's gotta be a compliment that the series as a whole just left me wanting more Kaya content, right?

[Chanda Scobee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kaya American Girl Series was my favorite as a kid, so I decided to re-read the series this year to remind myself of the story and to see how it holds up after so much time. I still loved this series! It’s educational, beautifully illustrated, and full of lessons, intense adventures and conflicts, and so much characterization and development. There were a lot of aspects of Kaya that upon a re-read, I realized I related to or admired about her, and I think that, mixed with her cultural background was a lot of the reason she was so special to me growing up. It gave me a lot of insight into my inner child by reconnecting with this piece.

I recommend this series, and other American Girl series, for readers who enjoy learning about history, culture, and diversity, as well as engaging stories full of danger, coming of age themes, and much more. I appreciated the inclusion, not only of Indigenous tribes and representation, but also of a deaf character, a slave, and more. This series is quite progressive for it’s time, and my biggest criticism now is that an indigenous writer wasn’t tasked to tell the story, but beyond that, I feel as though it’s aged well and stands true in representation and awareness. I love the history excerpts in the back, the vocabulary and illustrations that aid in the telling of the story, and the history embedded throughout.

If you would prefer to read indigenous stories by an indigenous author, I also recommend these stories:
• “Faye and the Dangerous Journey: An Ojibwe Removal Survival Story”
• “Little by Little: You Can Change the World”
• “A Snake Falls to Earth”
• “Buffalo Dreamer”
• “Find Her”
• “Heroes of the Water Monster”
• “Lei and the Fire Goddess”
• “Liar’s Test”
• “Little Moons”
• “Ancestory Approved”
• “The Storyteller”
• “We Still Belong”
• “Red Bird Danced”
• “Stealing Little Moon”
• “Rez Ball”
• “Firekeeper’s Daughter”
• “Funeral Songs for Dying Girls”
• “Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition”

Books 110-115
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[TheBookishHobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a satisfying end to the Kaya series, with the return of Steps High and her adorable foal Sparks Fly, Kaya has her whole family once again even though things have changed. In the review I will be writing my final thoughts about her series as a whole.

As a little girl I do remember enjoying this series, but I may have read it once or twice. It was not "THE FAVORITE" like Kit, Samantha, and Addy were for me. However, as an adult with more of an education about American history and the native Americans, I truly appreciated this series. It opened me up to world I have herd, but never really got to know on a solid level. I think if you are rereading this series as an adult this would hit better. I honestly would love recommendations to some adult books and series that features Native Americans and learn more about the lives of their specific tribes.

Overall Kaya had to overcome some major trials and themes such as earning a nickname for something she is ashamed of, but eventually at the end of the series it dies away. In the second novel she is kidnapped by a rival tribe, made a salve, looses her horse and her sister, but gains them again. The third through fifth books were about loss and grief and how she has to deal with them in healthy ways. There were so many heavy themes that the series introduces to children, but also can resonate with adults. I think Kaya is a strong character and teaches young girls so much about how to be better humans for their community.

So my final thoughts are this is one of the best historical series AG has created. From what I remember Addy was always a favorite of mine, but I think Kaya is a pretty close second at the moment.

The next series I will be review is Felicity's which is about the Revolutionary War so I hope to see you when I pick them up from the library next week. :)

[Pixie 🍜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I cried so much at the end. This was the longest section devoted to historical context and it was heartbreaking. Not being from North America my knowledge of indigenous history is more limited to stuff I learned about the archaeological context during my degree.
To hear that Kaya’s tribe (in reality of course) tried to escape the US army for over 1000 miles only to be essentially forced to return to the reservation in Idaho just made me so angry. They tried to leave and go to Canada if they were having their land taken away but this was not enough for the disgusting people who wanted their lands for their own. No, they made them go all the way back. So it was always about control of the people as well.
I enjoyed this series, I think so far it’s the most interesting American girl series and the one I enjoyed the most. I found kaya to be the least annoying (I’ve only read Felicity, Kirsten and Kaya) and the most teachable.
Even if many things aren’t totally accurate, I think children and adults alike would find interest in learning more about the indigenous people of North America after this at least.

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an intense final book in her main series, when I saw the cover I knew it was going to be a very scary story and that Kaya would be on a great feat, but my goodness this was an utterly intense journey she went on.

Whilst berry picking and elk hunting she hears about the horses that might be Nimiipuu and tells her Toe-Ta who takes her to find her beloved horse again, on the journey back the fires her little sister warned her of start raging and she gets separated from him with her horse whilst the fire blazes behind her.

She was so incredibly brave and earned her namesake within this series, everything she’s done she got stronger, braver and even more selfless each time. Kaya has become such an incredible young woman and doing her tribe so proud of her.

One thing I was sad about was we didn’t get her wayakin, I was really hoping we would get to see her go through that incredible journey and learn who she truly is and take on her namesake for good.

[Amanda Van Parys · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I hoped she would, Kaya is finally reunited with her beloved horse, Steps High. But just when you think all is well, Kaya, her father, and Raven get caught in a dangerous wildfire. This causes Kaya to appreciate more than ever her life, her family, her tribe, and the nature around her.

For a series finale book, I was hoping for something with a little more oomph. It didn't feel like a satisfying ending even though Kaya got everything she wanted through the series of books. The Kaya books have been a delight to read. The books really show Kaya's growth out of the end of her childhood. I felt the love that her family has for each other, I felt the respect they give their children, which is a lesson I hope children who read this series take away as a crucial lesson: to treat others and your children with respect.

[Jamie Marquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review for the Kaya series as a whole:

I actually really liked the Kaya series, and listening to the Dolls of Our Lives podcast along with it provided great insight on historical context of 1764 AND the actual writing process for the series.

I think Kaya’s stories resonated with me because while there were large outer conflicts and plot drivers, Kaya was very much aware of the inner conflicts she was having and the emotional turmoil these outer conflicts brought about.

I did cry a time or two. And I also was left wondering “is this whole book filler? Where is Speaking Rain?!?!”

Lowest points: the peek into the past sections ?! I continue to be outraged by how insensitive and oppressive legislation is toward Native American people and their homelands

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so sick of the plot line about Steps High being missing that I was kind of relieved for her to finally show back up. It only took 4 books of whinging. In true Kaya fashion she almost manages to get herself, her horses, her dad and another boy from her tribe killed by a wildfire because she HAD to have this horse back.

Mostly relieved to be moving on from the Kaya books. I am disappointed that these books didn’t live up to the potential that they had to educate about Nez Perce culture.

[Katie Kaste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that Kaya's family is complete she is ready to go on her spirit quest if only she could find her favorite horse. When Kaya and her father find her horse again, they are able to get her and her foal away from the heard they had joined. Fire is coming into the valley and Kaya and her father have to escape. This was a wonderful final story for Kaya. She makes peace with herself and is ready to move forward with her life in the tribe. I love her character and how she handled her issues.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid ending to this series! I think Kaya is finally almost ready to take her namesake’s name for herself. Even though she did something most people would find stupid, she had a very reasonable reason for doing so and it helped her come out stronger in the end. I definitely want my future children to read these books!

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaya's stories are some of my favorite in the American Girl series because I love reading about Native American traditions, culture and folklore. Kaya was also a favorite of my niece when she was younger and we read through the American Girl series. I even have a picture of my niece with her Kaya doll sharing tea at the shop restaurant.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

And with that, I am FINISHED with the Kaya main series! This was a lot of fun to read with a lot of comfort and adventure. I loved taking a glimpse into life in 1764 inside the Nez Pierce (Nimiipuu) life.

This book was a great conclusion for the main series.
Moving on to the Short Stories and Mysteries next!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie liked that the series wrapped up with a happy ending. It was also rather exciting with the fire and the narrow escape from it. As with the other books in the Kaya series, we both enjoyed the post script chapter at the end with factual information about the Nez Perce people and their history.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Kaya Shows The Way
2. Kaya’s Hero
3. Kaya’s Escape
4. Meet Kaya
5. Changes For Kaya
6. Kaya and Lone Dog

Honestly though all of the books get 3 stars, so one’s not much better than the others. They were very forgettable for me.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaya went through another intense ordeal 😱
Forest fires and wild stallions, but Kaya bravely handled it all. Also....love the history bit at the end of the book. Honestly, this country owes Native Americans a huge debt from all the lives and land we took 🥺

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Great ending to this fantastic series. Kaya is a wonderful character and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and follow along on her adventures. Also, learning about her culture was intriguing as well. I liked how this wrapped up and I overall really loved this series. Great reads.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so heart-racing! I couldn't put it down until I finished it and knew what would happen. I'm going to miss reading about Kaya's adventures!

"You must always respect the power of fire, Grandson."
"You've chosen to be my horse again."
"I'm so proud of your courage, Daughter."

[Leticia Hoehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This definitely one of my favorite books for sure. I love the talk of her courage and even when she was afraid she kept going. A reminder for all. We can all go through hard seasons but brighter days are coming.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything worked out for Kaya. This was a fairly intense book though and my seven year old wanted me to skip part of it. But she manages to get through it.