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American Girl: World By Us
Evette: The River and Me
Evette is a nature-lover full of crafty ideas for reusing and upcycling clothes. When she finds a vintage swimsuit in Gran E’s closet, she also uncovers a family secret that could explain why her mother’s family, which is Black, and her father’s, which is White, don’t spend time together. When Evette visits the river where her grandmother used to swim, she realizes how polluted it’s become. She rallies her new friends Makena and Maritza along with her whole family for a cleanup day. She’s determined to heal the river—and maybe even heal the division in her family. But will it work? The book includes reader questions, an essay by the author on growing up biracial, and ideas for helping the planet and fighting racism.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
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52 people want to read
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March 5, 2024This was a middle grade March pick that ended up making me cry with the sweet story of a biracial girl trying to solve a family rift caused by racism while also cleaning up a riverside park that was her grandmother's childhood swimming hole.
May 20, 2024
This book is a really great read about helping the environment and friendship and families it’s great for grade school kids
February 28, 2022
I read the three World By Us books back in December and have been trying to gather my thoughts on them ever since. They feel Important. So here goes.
All three World By Us books are about taking action to help right some of the wrongs you see in your own community, even in your own family. They're about tackling prejudice and healing rifts. And they're about friendship. There's a lot there, and there's certainly room to feel that AG is burdening its non-white characters with heavier themes. But I also know that as a person with white privilege, stories like these were eye-opening to me as a kid, and I hope that kids who do look like these characters will feel seen and maybe even empowered.
The three girls have different interests, but a very similar energy: Each one is a ray of sunshine, eager to make positive change, full of ideas and energy, and quick to act on a new plan. No shyness or overthinking here!
Evette's story focuses on healing: cleaning up and protecting our environment, and mending a rift within her own family. It's not a coincidence that (a) her mother is a doctor or that (b) the book opens on a yard sign thanking essential workers. (There's lots of "last year when we did virtual school" in all three books. These stories are all going age in a very specific way.) The various plotlines are deftly woven together, too - and there's a lot to fit in here.
We see from the beginning that Evette has an interest in vintage clothes, upcycling and the environment. And we see her take action to help clean up an area that's particularly meaningful to her. But the more interesting parts of her story - the knottier problems - have to do with prejudice and relationships. All three WBU books tackle racism in some form. Evette's challenge is how to handle racist actions from a family member.
Evette's grandmothers are both such well-developed characters. Grandma Peeters, the white grandma gives us a great example of a white person who has said racist things in the past, sees her errors, and is willing to make the effort to do better. For white kids who have relatives in that position, or who may themselves be in that position, this is a great model for turning over a new leaf. Gran E, the Black grandma, has to be convinced to hear Grandma Peeters out and give her another chance. There is a point in the story that makes me uncomfortable where Grandma Peeters is ready to apologize, but Gran E is not ready to hear her. I don't love the idea of forcing someone to receive an apology they aren't interested in. I guess if anyone has the standing to twist her arm, it's Evette.
Alongside the story of the grandmothers is the development of Evette's school friendships. After the year of virtual school, she's thrilled to be reunited with her best friend - but she finds that Ashlyn has two new friends whose style is very different from Evette's. Initially, Evette disapproves, but over the course of the book, she opens up to Ashlyn's new style and new friends - another lesson in overcoming prejudice. It shows up in our families, and it shows up in ourselves if we aren't careful.
All three World By Us books are about taking action to help right some of the wrongs you see in your own community, even in your own family. They're about tackling prejudice and healing rifts. And they're about friendship. There's a lot there, and there's certainly room to feel that AG is burdening its non-white characters with heavier themes. But I also know that as a person with white privilege, stories like these were eye-opening to me as a kid, and I hope that kids who do look like these characters will feel seen and maybe even empowered.
The three girls have different interests, but a very similar energy: Each one is a ray of sunshine, eager to make positive change, full of ideas and energy, and quick to act on a new plan. No shyness or overthinking here!
Evette's story focuses on healing: cleaning up and protecting our environment, and mending a rift within her own family. It's not a coincidence that (a) her mother is a doctor or that (b) the book opens on a yard sign thanking essential workers. (There's lots of "last year when we did virtual school" in all three books. These stories are all going age in a very specific way.) The various plotlines are deftly woven together, too - and there's a lot to fit in here.
We see from the beginning that Evette has an interest in vintage clothes, upcycling and the environment. And we see her take action to help clean up an area that's particularly meaningful to her. But the more interesting parts of her story - the knottier problems - have to do with prejudice and relationships. All three WBU books tackle racism in some form. Evette's challenge is how to handle racist actions from a family member.
Evette's grandmothers are both such well-developed characters. Grandma Peeters, the white grandma gives us a great example of a white person who has said racist things in the past, sees her errors, and is willing to make the effort to do better. For white kids who have relatives in that position, or who may themselves be in that position, this is a great model for turning over a new leaf. Gran E, the Black grandma, has to be convinced to hear Grandma Peeters out and give her another chance. There is a point in the story that makes me uncomfortable where Grandma Peeters is ready to apologize, but Gran E is not ready to hear her. I don't love the idea of forcing someone to receive an apology they aren't interested in. I guess if anyone has the standing to twist her arm, it's Evette.
Alongside the story of the grandmothers is the development of Evette's school friendships. After the year of virtual school, she's thrilled to be reunited with her best friend - but she finds that Ashlyn has two new friends whose style is very different from Evette's. Initially, Evette disapproves, but over the course of the book, she opens up to Ashlyn's new style and new friends - another lesson in overcoming prejudice. It shows up in our families, and it shows up in ourselves if we aren't careful.
February 4, 2022
This is much stronger than the first book I read from the series. Even though it is also very short, the plot fits the book's length and all of the different story threads tie together in a satisfying way. I appreciate how well the author developed her characters in a short time span, and the storyline about Evette helping resolve conflict in her extended family is actually quite touching.
I expected this part of the book to be preachy and heavy-handed, but the mysterious conflict from the past was very realistic and believable, and the subsequent resolution provides a wonderful, healthy model for how people can sincerely ask forgiveness and give forgiveness. I was very impressed overall.
The note at the end includes the author's reflections about her own mixed-race identity, and even though both kids and adults often skip over notes like these, the family history and thoughts she shares there are definitely worth reading.
I expected this part of the book to be preachy and heavy-handed, but the mysterious conflict from the past was very realistic and believable, and the subsequent resolution provides a wonderful, healthy model for how people can sincerely ask forgiveness and give forgiveness. I was very impressed overall.
The note at the end includes the author's reflections about her own mixed-race identity, and even though both kids and adults often skip over notes like these, the family history and thoughts she shares there are definitely worth reading.
September 23, 2025
As life returns to normal after the pandemic lockdown, Evette Peeters looks forward to starting middle school and seeing her friends and family again. Last year her Gran E took care of Evette and her little brother while their parents worked. Gran E taught Evette how to upcycle and recycle old clothes and Evette developed her own sense of style. She also learned a lot from following Makena's "Outfit of the Day" posts on social media. When Evette finds a cute old unworn bathing suit at the back of her Gran E's closet, it opens up a flood of bad memories from Gran E's childhood when she was prohibited from swimming in the community pool because of the color of her skin. Her brother helped her find a beautiful place to swim, a tributary of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. Evette can't wait to bring Gran E there again but when they find the place, the river is dirty and polluted. She launches a two-fold plan with her friends from the new community center: clean the river and reunite Gran E with Grandma Peeters. The two grandmothers haven't spoken since Evette's parents were married. Can kids really make a difference in their community and change the world for the better? If they start by imagining the world they want to live in NOW, they can make a difference.
This story started off strong but got a little corny towards the end. It didn't strike me as realistic as the other two and the message comes off a little strong. It's very on brand though and I really like the concept. It's too bad the line didn't work out. The plot is a bit of a fantasy. Do tweens and teens really get up early on the weekend to get dirty cleaning up a smelly old river? As much as I wanted to save the planet, I would have written an article in the school newspaper about the event but not participated. I like the craft ideas for upcycling old tires and more craft instructions should have been included.
I really like Evette. She's very sweet. I relate to her love for her grandmothers who are very different, from different cultures but show her all the love they have. Evette has a different sort of special relationship with Grandma Peeters. Gran E isn't super sentimental or overly loving. She shows her love in different ways. Gran E is present for the children, helps them learn and grow in practical ways. Gran E's childhood story is sadly all too realistic and it hurt her a lot. The hurts she endured have made her tough but she's too stubborn to try to get along with her grandchildren's' grandparents for their sakes. They never have family reunions or get together with both sides of the family and when Evette realizes this isn't normal, she feels hurt. I can't imagine what it feels like to be Gran E and I think Evette did the right thing approaching Grandma Peeters to ask her to apologize since Gran E was the one wronged. Evette's plan is a little Parent Trapish but it's sweet and necessary. To be fair to Grandma Peeters, those of us upper Northwest dwellers/students DID hear Anacostia was dangerous and not to go there but she shouldn't have said that OUT LOUD to her son's soon-to-be mother-in-law. She should have trusted the couple and Evonne to know what they were doing and asked how she could help. Maybe her friends wouldn't have come to the wedding and that's on them. Who needs a bunch of fussy racists at your wedding? Don't even invite them to begin with because Evonne's yard is too small! My parents would have thought the same thing but not said that out loud, just offered to host, to pay for a larger venue, to take over and have the wedding THEY wanted (in spite of my dad's mother planning a second surprise reception for THEM back in the day!) Gran E has the right idea. Keep it small and limited to people you care about. Evette is lucky Gran E isn't too stubborn to love her grandchildren at least.
Evette doesn't feel like she's either Black OR White. She loves both her parents and grandparents equally and doesn't think about it. In middle school, her best friend Ashlyn makes new friends who don't know Evette and demand to know which one she is: Black or White. That makes Evette feel uncomfortable. The other kid was being nosy, not offensive but it wasn't an appropriate question to ask someone you just met. Ashlyn has changed her looks and has new friends who make Evette feel uncomfortable. Time for some new friends girl! Enter Makena and Maritza. Evette knows Makena from social media and geeks out when she meets Makena in person. She recognizes Makena's style and is flattered when Makena appreciates Evette's own thrifted/upcycled/vintage style choices. Maritza teaches Evette about family and community and the trio quickly bond over their shared ideals. Ashlyn and her friends turn out to be not so bad after all after such an awkward start.
Backmatter includes a note from the author discussing her feelings about being a mixed race child; Real Kids, Real Change; Reader Questions; Your Lifestyle Can Help the Earth. Here's How; How You Can Help End Racism. These are issues tweens are thinking about and dealing with. Judging from my niece, tween and teen girls are confidence in knowing they want a better world and how to get it. It's up to the adults to listen thoughtfully and I think reading these books with your kids or in a classroom setting would be an excellent place to start.
This book didn't resonate with the Black and Brown kids in my community. They snatched up the other two books right away when I left them in a Little Free Library but Evette was left in the box with the door open in the rain. I rescued the book and dried it. I'll try again and see if she clicks with any other kids in the community. I would have LOVED this book when I was a young teen in Junior High writing the environmental column for my school newspaper!
This story started off strong but got a little corny towards the end. It didn't strike me as realistic as the other two and the message comes off a little strong. It's very on brand though and I really like the concept. It's too bad the line didn't work out. The plot is a bit of a fantasy. Do tweens and teens really get up early on the weekend to get dirty cleaning up a smelly old river? As much as I wanted to save the planet, I would have written an article in the school newspaper about the event but not participated. I like the craft ideas for upcycling old tires and more craft instructions should have been included.
I really like Evette. She's very sweet. I relate to her love for her grandmothers who are very different, from different cultures but show her all the love they have. Evette has a different sort of special relationship with Grandma Peeters. Gran E isn't super sentimental or overly loving. She shows her love in different ways. Gran E is present for the children, helps them learn and grow in practical ways. Gran E's childhood story is sadly all too realistic and it hurt her a lot. The hurts she endured have made her tough but she's too stubborn to try to get along with her grandchildren's' grandparents for their sakes. They never have family reunions or get together with both sides of the family and when Evette realizes this isn't normal, she feels hurt. I can't imagine what it feels like to be Gran E and I think Evette did the right thing approaching Grandma Peeters to ask her to apologize since Gran E was the one wronged. Evette's plan is a little Parent Trapish but it's sweet and necessary. To be fair to Grandma Peeters, those of us upper Northwest dwellers/students DID hear Anacostia was dangerous and not to go there but she shouldn't have said that OUT LOUD to her son's soon-to-be mother-in-law. She should have trusted the couple and Evonne to know what they were doing and asked how she could help. Maybe her friends wouldn't have come to the wedding and that's on them. Who needs a bunch of fussy racists at your wedding? Don't even invite them to begin with because Evonne's yard is too small! My parents would have thought the same thing but not said that out loud, just offered to host, to pay for a larger venue, to take over and have the wedding THEY wanted (in spite of my dad's mother planning a second surprise reception for THEM back in the day!) Gran E has the right idea. Keep it small and limited to people you care about. Evette is lucky Gran E isn't too stubborn to love her grandchildren at least.
Evette doesn't feel like she's either Black OR White. She loves both her parents and grandparents equally and doesn't think about it. In middle school, her best friend Ashlyn makes new friends who don't know Evette and demand to know which one she is: Black or White. That makes Evette feel uncomfortable. The other kid was being nosy, not offensive but it wasn't an appropriate question to ask someone you just met. Ashlyn has changed her looks and has new friends who make Evette feel uncomfortable. Time for some new friends girl! Enter Makena and Maritza. Evette knows Makena from social media and geeks out when she meets Makena in person. She recognizes Makena's style and is flattered when Makena appreciates Evette's own thrifted/upcycled/vintage style choices. Maritza teaches Evette about family and community and the trio quickly bond over their shared ideals. Ashlyn and her friends turn out to be not so bad after all after such an awkward start.
Backmatter includes a note from the author discussing her feelings about being a mixed race child; Real Kids, Real Change; Reader Questions; Your Lifestyle Can Help the Earth. Here's How; How You Can Help End Racism. These are issues tweens are thinking about and dealing with. Judging from my niece, tween and teen girls are confidence in knowing they want a better world and how to get it. It's up to the adults to listen thoughtfully and I think reading these books with your kids or in a classroom setting would be an excellent place to start.
This book didn't resonate with the Black and Brown kids in my community. They snatched up the other two books right away when I left them in a Little Free Library but Evette was left in the box with the door open in the rain. I rescued the book and dried it. I'll try again and see if she clicks with any other kids in the community. I would have LOVED this book when I was a young teen in Junior High writing the environmental column for my school newspaper!
December 21, 2021
Evette es una niña de 13 años, sus abuelos paternos son blancos y su abuela materna es afroamericana.
El libro trata temas como el racismo, la contaminación y la pandemia .
Una buena historia para lectores pequeños
Me hubiese gustado que tuviese más páginas
El libro trata temas como el racismo, la contaminación y la pandemia .
Una buena historia para lectores pequeños
Me hubiese gustado que tuviese más páginas
November 15, 2021
The new “World By Us” series by American Girl has a variety of skin tones featured and the three main characters strive to do what they can to make their world a better place for all by promoting commUNITY and racial harmony. Sections of this series opener seemed heavy-handed with the racial profiling that occurs overtly and in micro aggressions, but overall, the messages are encouraging and needed. Mistakes are made by not only the main character, Evette, but by others in her circle of influence and each is shown to learn from those mistakes. Clean up of a river is the environmental focus of Evette and her friends, but the local community center, food bank are shown, as well as concrete, reproducible examples of reusing, recycling, and UPcycling. Backmatter includes real life examples of efforts made by middle grade students to make positive change in their own school and practical tips for readers to do the same. Illustrator Olivia Duchess does an excellent job of bringing Evette and her friends “to life.”
Thanks for sending me a preview finished copy, Amazon Vine.
Thanks for sending me a preview finished copy, Amazon Vine.
February 11, 2022
This book deals with important topics of discrimination and pollution.
I was surprised, though, because the book is shorter than the average American Girl of the Year book and it seemed to be written at a lower reading level. However, the girls are older than the average American Girl of the Year- 13 instead of 10.
I feel like writing a book about older girls at a lower reading level is not going to help the book appeal more to older girls. It might make it more appealing to younger girls.
I was surprised, though, because the book is shorter than the average American Girl of the Year book and it seemed to be written at a lower reading level. However, the girls are older than the average American Girl of the Year- 13 instead of 10.
I feel like writing a book about older girls at a lower reading level is not going to help the book appeal more to older girls. It might make it more appealing to younger girls.
November 12, 2022
My least favorite of the World By Us books (which is too bad bc I think Evette is probably my favorite of the WBU dolls) but still a solid one! I like how it dealt with pollution and racism within a family but I feel like I didn't get to know Evette as well as I did Makena or Maritza
September 30, 2021
Fun, engaging, believable story, with a few surprises.
August 12, 2022
Love the message about stopping racism and pollution. My favorite part of the book is when all different kinds of races units and help clean a personal part of the river that her grandmother used to swim at when she was a little girl.😔😔😔😔😔😔💔💔💔💔
May 25, 2023
I read this in under two hours! It’s not very long, of course, but I also couldn’t put it down. I really love the concept of the World By Us line and how American Girl made an effort to showcase diverse characters in a modern setting. While I haven’t read the other two books yet, I gravitated towards Evette because I liked that she was a child of two cultures, Black and White. It was nice to read about a biracial perspective and even nicer that it was written by a biracial author. I also really liked that the book acknowledged the Covid-19 pandemic and didn’t just gloss over it - it was an unfortunate time in history, but nevertheless it happened. I also appreciated the D.C. setting since D.C. is practically my own backyard as a native Virginian! I don’t see too many books set in D.C. I enjoyed learning about the Anacostia River and recent efforts to clean it up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2023
These books are all actually pretty good, but for some reason they just don’t quite work. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I wish I did. I like how this book shows that racial and environmental justice are interconnected, and I do think Evette is a beautiful doll.
Unfortunately I’m docking a star because all the pandemic references were annoying. I read to escape! Plus, it makes these books feel very dated already even though they came out two years ago.
Unfortunately I’m docking a star because all the pandemic references were annoying. I read to escape! Plus, it makes these books feel very dated already even though they came out two years ago.
January 7, 2024
Frankly I'm surprised by the raving about how good this book is. It was awful, overdramatized one stupid comment from decades before, and painted every single person not of color as evil incarnate, and made everything ABOUT race. Everything. I think it's also insulting that Evette's entire storyline is about her race, which is mentioned on every page. Addy, the first black American Girl Doll, focused on race (I mean, the first book literally has her escaping slavery, and there were all these racial incidents she personally faced, plus it was the civil war.) But it still focused on OTHER things. Like her wanting to be a teacher, her struggles being bullied for her secondhand clothing by her rich classmate. In this book, Evette's entire identity is race. Oh, and also she likes the environment. And supporting essential workers. Whoopeee. It was so preachy. I remember reading American Girl Doll books when they were good. This was dull, cliche, and focused on pushing the same narrative that is being perpetuated in all the similarly preachy MG books of recent years: Absolutely everything is about race, every white person is bad and racist, and everything is solved by a single paragraph of unrealistic dialogue.
"I am so sorry for what I said. It was so wrong and racist, blah blah."
"Yes. It was. Now let's put the past decades behind us blah blah, I'm an old woman."
"Wonderful. I hear you like knitting. I do too."
"Let's go to this conveniently timed knitting exhibit being held in the community center."
Please. Gag.
Yes, I KNOW racism is something still prevalent today. I KNOW there are still glaring inequalities and socio economic inequalities stemming from it as well. I've faced these issues myself. But making everyone either villains or heroes is not the way to go. Every person promoting change and inclusion and good in this story was of color, and everyone else was mean white people, including Evette's "racist" white grandparents, because the grandma made one stupid comment fifteen years before about her black grandmother living in a supposedly bad neighborhood, which was too judgy and racist to say about it. Yes, it was a dumb comment. But the reaction...Evette's new friends literally gasping when they hear, and whispering "racism...in your OWN family." Come on.
The fact that her other grandmother is so insulted and bitter about this that she refuses to step foot in her daughter's in-laws house ever again? It becoming a whole dark family secret? Also, wouldn't Evette have picked up on it before this?
There are so many books for children from the early 2000s that tackled racism and social issues in a way that was believable and non didactic, not preachy and stilted like an after school special. Can we go back to those? Please?
"I am so sorry for what I said. It was so wrong and racist, blah blah."
"Yes. It was. Now let's put the past decades behind us blah blah, I'm an old woman."
"Wonderful. I hear you like knitting. I do too."
"Let's go to this conveniently timed knitting exhibit being held in the community center."
Please. Gag.
Yes, I KNOW racism is something still prevalent today. I KNOW there are still glaring inequalities and socio economic inequalities stemming from it as well. I've faced these issues myself. But making everyone either villains or heroes is not the way to go. Every person promoting change and inclusion and good in this story was of color, and everyone else was mean white people, including Evette's "racist" white grandparents, because the grandma made one stupid comment fifteen years before about her black grandmother living in a supposedly bad neighborhood, which was too judgy and racist to say about it. Yes, it was a dumb comment. But the reaction...Evette's new friends literally gasping when they hear, and whispering "racism...in your OWN family." Come on.
The fact that her other grandmother is so insulted and bitter about this that she refuses to step foot in her daughter's in-laws house ever again? It becoming a whole dark family secret? Also, wouldn't Evette have picked up on it before this?
There are so many books for children from the early 2000s that tackled racism and social issues in a way that was believable and non didactic, not preachy and stilted like an after school special. Can we go back to those? Please?
October 31, 2021
Better than the first book in this series, “The River and Me” features Evette and her two friends, Makena, (the lead in book one) and Maritza, who will be featured in book three.
Cleaning up the earth and particularly the river is the focus of this story, in addition to the racial theme. Once again, all the aggressors are white. In the situation involving Evette’s grandmother, it makes perfect sense as she grew up during segregation and race riots. The instances involving young people - not so much. I’ve taught multi ethnic groups of kids for many years and this situation just doesn’t fit; not for the last 8-10 years. The explosion of kids going to daycare, preschool and mixed race marriages has blurred the vision of young kids.
As with the first book, Evette is a great kid. She is very attached to both her grandmothers and wants to heal a rift between them. That too is a racial issue that happened as a result of her parent’s marriage, (Mom is black, dad is white). It’s not an easy task but Evette works diligently at a solution.
All things considered, Strong families, good relationships, reasoned problem solving and good writing for 9-12 year olds. A good candidate for family reading with lots of conversation opportunities📚
Cleaning up the earth and particularly the river is the focus of this story, in addition to the racial theme. Once again, all the aggressors are white. In the situation involving Evette’s grandmother, it makes perfect sense as she grew up during segregation and race riots. The instances involving young people - not so much. I’ve taught multi ethnic groups of kids for many years and this situation just doesn’t fit; not for the last 8-10 years. The explosion of kids going to daycare, preschool and mixed race marriages has blurred the vision of young kids.
As with the first book, Evette is a great kid. She is very attached to both her grandmothers and wants to heal a rift between them. That too is a racial issue that happened as a result of her parent’s marriage, (Mom is black, dad is white). It’s not an easy task but Evette works diligently at a solution.
All things considered, Strong families, good relationships, reasoned problem solving and good writing for 9-12 year olds. A good candidate for family reading with lots of conversation opportunities📚
August 1, 2023
I wish AG had (would?) do more with the WBU concept. Evette is another character I'd like to get to know more about and her book feels just a little too short as is. I do wonder if the plan was for these to be the first books in a series.
Evette's learning that just because your old best friend has new friends it doesn't mean they aren't still your friend (and maybe to not judge someone by their appearance) as well as helping to heal the rift in her own family. Along the way she also makes new friends of her own and organizes a river cleanup once she sees first hand how people have ruined a once beautiful piece of nature.
There are a few moments here that feel a bit heavy handed but in general I enjoyed the story and would love to see more with the WBU crew.
Oh, and my quibble: the very idea that Evette's grandparents would wait to see their grandkids for the first time in over a year (due to Granddad's health and COVID concerns) until AFTER school restarts? Not happening. In a good year, the start of the year brings a million colds and other bugs, but when COVID was really flaring? Nope.
Evette's learning that just because your old best friend has new friends it doesn't mean they aren't still your friend (and maybe to not judge someone by their appearance) as well as helping to heal the rift in her own family. Along the way she also makes new friends of her own and organizes a river cleanup once she sees first hand how people have ruined a once beautiful piece of nature.
There are a few moments here that feel a bit heavy handed but in general I enjoyed the story and would love to see more with the WBU crew.
Oh, and my quibble: the very idea that Evette's grandparents would wait to see their grandkids for the first time in over a year (due to Granddad's health and COVID concerns) until AFTER school restarts? Not happening. In a good year, the start of the year brings a million colds and other bugs, but when COVID was really flaring? Nope.
June 4, 2025
While the author’s writing style was flat (another reviewer mentioned an after-school special vibe, and word to that), I did love the message. Upon discovering deep issues within her family and her community, she could take the moody teenager route, but that’s not AG style. She takes action. Of course it all runs far smoother than real life. I like how she acknowledged that small successes don’t mean the work is done. I could have really used this story as a beacon of hope when I was 13 and learning about how the planet is becoming trashed.
December 11, 2023
Super proud of American girl for making topics as heavy as environmental racism and familial rifts digestible for a young audience! Though a bit overly-idyllic at times, kids need the reminder that they have power and leverage in this world. I hope American girl is still as big of a deal to kids today as it was 10 or so years ago when I was the main character's age.
July 21, 2022
Cute book with lots of great messages! A must read!
January 26, 2024
This is a great book! I truly felt like I was in Evette’s world!
Read
February 28, 2024One of three American Girl of the year stories- though this is the only one of the three that discusses the pandemic
Read
November 17, 2024Another cute book. Read this one first in the series of 'World by Us' as this is when all the girl's meet for the first time.
September 10, 2025
knowing there are books like this out there for future generations makes my heart so hopeful
September 23, 2025
This one was the best out of the three World by Us books. Evette is super nice and a go-getter. I like the things she learns throughout the book. The story is unpredictable, which I enjoyed.
October 15, 2025
this series only had hits and i would love to see a current line with this much thought.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews