Rebecca and the Movies

American Girl: Rebecca #4

by Jacqueline Dembar Greene, Robert Hunt (Illustrator), Jennifer Hirsch (Editor)

On her tenth birthday, Rebecca can hardly believe it when cousin Max invites her to join him for a day at his movie studio to watch a movie being made! Although her parents don't approve of actors or movies, Mama relents and says Rebecca may go. At the studio, Rebecca meets the glamorous Lily, a real movie star. When the camera begins to roll, Rebecca knows she must sit quietly and watch. Suddenly, the director shouts "Cut!" and Rebecca finds herself facing an opportunity she never imagined in her wildest dreams. Does she have the nerve for it? And what would
her parents say if they knew?

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

78 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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]

"I think it will be all right for her to go with Max just this once. After all, she's not going to turn into an actress just because she visits a movie studio."

Rebecca Rubin cannot wait to join her cousin, Max, to visit a real live movie studio as part of her birthday present! From the minute she steps into the studio, Rebecca is enamored.

She gets to tour the prop room, meet a famous actress, and even watch the filming of a scene where Max stars in! And then, the director's eyes land on her and suddenly Rebecca finds herself up in front of the cameras!! It's almost more than she can bear!!!

"I think being an actress would be better than any job in the world - even better than working in the shoe store or being a teacher, as Papa wants me to be."

Rebecca is really growing on me!

As much as I love it when American Girl tackles tough topics, I also appreciate when a book is included that has a more lighthearted storyline.

In addition to the movie madness, Rebecca has to celebrate her birthday during Passover, which she worries means no cake and no real party...though her family finds a way to celebrate and make her feel special anyway!

Moving back to the movie aspect - I liked seeing all of the 1914 behind-the-scenes details for movies - from the prop room to the grease paint to the acting style. It was informative and interesting!

Overall, this was a lovely addition to Rebecca's series!

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) - ★★★★☆

[Melody Schwarting]

I grew up on silent movies and Singin' in the Rain is my favorite movie of all time, so Rebecca and the Movies hit all the sweet spots for me. Rebecca gets to participate in the making of a movie while on a day trip to set, which is her uncle's birthday present for her. The book takes place during Passover, and I especially loved the lunch scene where Rebecca discovers many of her uncle's actor friends are Jewish too, by the food they bring.

[Panda Incognito]

2.5 stars, rounded down with the target audience in mind.

This is a wish-fulfillment book where Rebecca gets to make her debut as an extra in a movie. The story and historical note include great details about the movie-making process during the silent film era, but the book requires immense suspension of disbelief, since it seems unlikely that Rebecca's parents would have ever allowed her to accompany Cousin Max to a movie studio in the first place.

The beginning of the book focuses on Rebecca's birthday, and on the challenges of celebrating while still honoring dietary restrictions during Passover. I thought that was interesting, and since I had forgotten about this part of the book, I enjoyed the different details throughout the story about Passover, and about different Jews' varying levels of observance. This part of the book is educational and well-presented, and flows through the story without being preachy.

However, even though the author handles the book's cultural and religious elements well when it comes to food, the way that she addresses opinions about movies and the acting profession leaves much to be desired. As I said earlier, the book's premise requires significant suspension of disbelief, because even though Rebecca's anti-movie parents and grandparents forbid her from watch movies and disapprove of Cousin Max's career choices and lifestyle, they allow her to spent a day at the movie studio with him as a special treat. I actually misremembered this part of the plot, and believed for years that she had deceived the authorities in her life and gone without permission.

That was not the case, and I am glad that the premise does not entirely hinge on disobedience. However, since Rebecca has just turned ten and is still under her parents' guidance and authority, her behavior is morally problematic. As an adult reader, I am able to contextualize this story as an issue of old world and new world ideological clashes, and I understand why Rebecca would have to struggle with her parents' views to embrace her acting talent and desire for a future movie career. However, if you take this story at face value, it is a tale of Rebecca rebelling against her parents, keeping secrets from them, lying by omission, and glorying in the chance to do something forbidden.

From a modern perspective, she was not doing anything wrong by acting in this movie, but her choice to hide the truth from her parents sends a problematic message to children. This story makes sense within its cultural and historical context, but because it glamorizes breaking free of parental authority to achieve your dreams, I would only recommend this book to children who are old enough to be discerning about Rebecca's choices and evaluate the moral dimensions of her behavior, instead of thinking that it is thrilling to disobey your parents' rules and hide the truth from them afterward.

[Carolynne]

Rather unrealistic story in which Rebecca gets to achieve her dream of acting in a movie at the age of ten and one day. There was a potential conflict between Rebecca's traditional Jewish upbringing and the faster world of movie making, but Rebecca comes off as both naive and preachy. Not the best in the series. However, as always the author's note at the end gives some historical context, in this case about the early silent movie industry as well as some notes on Jewish family life in 1914. This will help in making the book appropriate for classroom use. The Lexile measure is 750 L.

[Kimberly]

There were a few things I didn't like. Mainly, a comment about Passover at the beginning. I suppose it was what an upset, almost 10 year old, who didn't fully... understand... Passover's significance, might have said. It still hurt to hear.

I enjoyed the rest of it! I love what her parents did for her birthday!

I think the book ended too early, and wish we had seen Rebecca tell her parents what happened that day, and what they thought of all of it.

Good historical note.

[Annette]

Review by Grace, age 8, 6/29/19

It's near Rebecca's birthday. But it is Passover and everyone is so busy that she thinks they forgot. But when she comes inside, her grandmother calls her upstairs. Rebecca's friend Rose is with her. When she goes to see her grandmother, "Surprise!" Everyone had crammed into a little apartment for her birthday party. The End. Just kidding!
Then Max gives her a scarf, but then he decides it doesn't look very good on her, and he turns it into a paper rose. Pretty amazing, isn't it? Then he gives her a hat for the rose and says "now you must wear that hat somewhere." Her friend Lucy says "Since school is out this week, you could wear the hat at home!" Max says "Why wear it at home? Why not come with me to my movie studio?"
After a little bit of fighting, they all agreed with Max.
But when she was in the movie studio, she found herself face to face with her dream: to act on stage in a movie. Her grandmother did not like movies. She did not want Rebecca to be an actress. But Rebecca did it anyway. Her family did not find out.
Things I liked about this story: She got to be an actress. I've always wanted to be an actress, but my Mom said "No." She's a lot like Rebecca's grandma.
Things I was very confused about: At the beginning, they were talking about God. I think that Rebecca turned into a Christian in "Candlelight For Rebecca," but for some reason even though they (Jews) were supposed to be God's people from long ago, her parents do not believe. I have no idea if she did.

[RaspberryRoses]

another very strong book for rebecca. the plot felt a bit too convenient but well i'm reading an american girl doll book i cant complain too much about that now can i. i loved getting to see more of max, who has always been a standout character, and his romance with lily was so sweet.

[Maya Campbell]

Movie star and Shadchan? Is there anything my girl Rebecca can’t do?!

[caroline seeling]

they were at the library and i can’t help the nostalgia 🥹

but really, i wish every girl i work with would read these books so they could see themselves in them and know they can be brave too.

[Sierra Reyelts]

I don't care that it's not realistic or that the original corresponding dress isn't historically accurate - this is such a fun story!

[Katie]

The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.

Well, now it's clear why the animals were moved up to the holiday story, because there's no room for them here. We're busy with the struggles of having your birthday during Passover and Rebecca's ecstatic joy at getting to visit the movie studio where Max is working.

The first chapter is a quick tour of where pop culture is in 1914. We open with Rebecca and Rose hanging out in a soda shop because it has a gramophone and they can hear ragtime hits. Then as they walk home, they pause to admire the posters at the movie theater. All of this gets contrasted with how Rebecca thinks Passover is getting in the way of having a birthday party and a fluffy cake - though it turns out that her parents have been paying more attention than she may have thought. The party scene is warm and wonderful.

The rest of the book is Rebecca's day with Max at the movie studio. An actress the girls had been admiring on a poster takes Rebecca under her wing, and before you know it, Rebecca's in front of the camera. She's a natural, of course. Everything about this book is top notch wish fulfillment.

There are two ways that the book avoids being cutesy or twee. One is just that everyone is charmingly depicted and the book is just such fun. And the other is that (like other Rebecca installments) we keep coming back to the ways these characters are fitting the old and the new together. So much is new, and more than one actor notes that family members don't approve of their career - but we also see people going out of their way to keep kosher at Passover. It also becomes clear that Max is only keeping kosher today because Rebecca is there - not everyone keeps traditions to the same degree.

My only complaint is that the parallel love triangle between the actors and their characters felt cliche to me, though I acknowledge it likely wouldn't have when I was eight or ten.

On the way to the movie studio, we learn that Rebecca has never before left New York City, which is mind-blowing to me, but makes sense. Another fun detail is that Greene is very careful about what film industry terms Rebecca recognizes. She doesn't need to explain to the reader what "shooting" means - but realizing that Rebecca needs it explained is a great way to get us into her headspace.

[Bree]

This review is from the point of view of a mother. I'm reading the Rebecca series to decide when they will be appropriate for my daughter.

This book required quite a bit of suspension of adult disbelief.

spoiler ahead:




The handling of the fact that Rebecca's birthday occurs during a high holiday was well-done, but the idea that her conservative family would allow the family scape-grace to take their daughter out to a movie set, and she would get a walk-on part to a silent film required a bit more suspension of disbelief than I could manage. And the fact that Rebecca knew it would upset her family enough that she didn't tell them, was definitely not cool from a parental aspect, especially since she isn't found out and there are no ramifications for disobedience and lying by omission.

The Looking Back section about early motion pictures was interesting, and I'm sure it makes for more interesting and unique doll items to sell.

While I haven't rated any one particular book of Rebecca's very high, I think the stories as a whole are timeless and relevant to the target audience - they deal with teasing, accepting someone who is different, judging others, celebrating your heritage/faith/traditions, and I think Rebecca grows throughout the series. I like the emphasis on Rebecca's emotions as she grapples with issues - this is a well-rounded series, and even exceeds some of the earlier AG historical series.

[Rachel B]

#5 in the Rebecca main series in my opinion. This book was "fine" but it didn't really have the kind of dilemma I like that gives Rebecca agency to solve a problem (like the last three books). Even though I rated it higher than Rebecca's second book, in terms of a reading experience, this was actually the least interesting of the four books so far, even though I did enjoy learning how old movies were made.

Max's romance with Lily was kind of boring to me, and the other actor being kind of a boor was also not that interesting. The parts I liked best were the depiction of Passover (and Rebecca's surprise that many of the other actors were Jewish!). And I did like her bravery and confidence to volunteer to be the kid sister; it was a sweet birthday treat for her.

As for her continued anxiety about her parents not supporting her desire to become an actress...she's ten years old; she's got a lot of time to figure things out, and things might change between now and the time she'll need to make a decision. Ten-year-olds worrying about their future careers always makes me smile a little (which would have infuriated my own ten-year-old self).

Overall, not much to say about this one. A sweet story, interesting to learn about old movies, not very emotionally or morally weighty, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Jacqueline M.]

Sweet little story line. I do wonder if the target age would understand the concept of silent movies without any prior knowledge on the subject. I did really appreciate the author/series attention to detail with Passover Much like the winter story I would have liked to see more details on the ceremony of seder and what makes something kosher or even "what is kosher" The focus on the early motion picture industry's importance for Jewish Americans was also neat context. Stage was king at the time, but immigrant pioneers were willing to take the risk on moving pictures and even to this day there's a disproportionate share of Jewish-Americans in the industry. And that is pretty darn cool.

Is it likely that Rebecca would get this experience in real life? No. But it's also super unlikely that Addy would have just so happened to live above a dress shop and have gorgeous gowns in 1864 as a former enslaved person. Just suspend your disbelief to let little girls immerse themselves in history.

[Erin]

Cute American Girl story.
So here's the thing about the Rebecca series. She's a Jewish girl growing up in NYC. Very cool to read and learn about...or so I thought. Everything is just skimmed over: Jewish traditions, life in New York, differences in culture. I'm reading these with my 9 year old and I feel like we still haven't learned much. For example, in this book Rebecca's family is celebrating Passover. I wish we had learned more about what the traditions are during this holiday. I felt the same way in the winter holiday one too.
Other than that these are cute stories, perfect for the 8-10 year old crowd.

[Danielle T]

3.5, but rounding up- thought it was okay. Here's the birthday book! It's Passover so Rebecca worries that her birthday will be forgotten but turns out, her family has a surprise for her... Uncle Max also takes Rebecca to work, and we learn how silent films were made.

Would perhaps have been nice to spend more time on what Passover means, but when Rebecca describes how great Moses parting the Red Sea would be as a movie, I can't help but think of Charleston Heston 41 years in the future from this story.

[Kati]

The continuing stories of Rebecca Rubin. She's finally turning 10, and her family surprises her with many exciting gifts. Among them are a trip with her cousin Max to the movie studio where he's employed as an actor. Rebecca gets a thrill she didn't expect when she's tapped to help in the moving picture that Max is playing in.

I'm enjoying learning more about this era in American history, from the perspective of a young woman.

[Laura Edwards]

A fun, little story. I can't help but wonder how Rebecca's parents and grandparents reacted once they found out about her day. She'll have to tell them in order to explain her new phonograph. I like to imagine she stayed true to her dreams and became an actress when she grew up.

Lily's an interesting, new character. I'm guessing she'll stick around as Max' love interest since her picture is at the front of the book. We'll see.

[Erika Mathews]

Very interesting plot and action, but I wasn’t a fan of other adults in Rebecca’s life encouraging her to do things that she thought her parents and grandparents would not approve of. The mindset of “it’s okay to keep what you’re doing a secret from them because they wouldn’t like it” isn’t something I can endorse (especially when it’s made clear that her parents and grandparents want the best for her and definitely aren’t mean or unreasonable).

[Kara Kuehl]

This was a cute book! I love all of the history and educational information that the author included!

Things to be aware of in “Rebecca and the Movies”

Language:
- At least 2 “gosh”

Romantic Content:
- One character is known for hanging out with “all the girls.”

See my full review here: https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

4 stars. My favorite in the series thus far! On her 10th birthday Rebecca gets to go with her cousin Max to watch a movie being filmed. Then Rebecca herself gets to be in the film. This was so much fun. I love any story dealing with films and the making of them so this was right up my alley and I had a great time reading it.

[Kelly]

Pretty ambivalent to this one. The title is INCREDIBLY accurate. And I have no real interest in movies, but it is cool to see some of the history of film production. Honestly wish there were more pictures.

[Tammy Landgren]

This was probably the most lighthearted book of the series so far. Rebecca gets to explore her passion for acting. I liked the historical context with the "new" technology of moving pictures. I would have liked the book to explore Passover a bit more.

[Erin Becker]

A heavy-handed, externalized depiction of Passover that feels oddly inauthentic given the fact that the author is Jewish, awkwardly tacked onto an unnecessarily detailed depiction of a 1914 movie studio. Just all around a really weird book. Did not enjoy.

[Aimee]

You can tell a lot of love and care went into these books. Not only are the well-written but they are thoroughly researched! I’ve been learning new things with each book I read. This was a fun romp around an early movie studio.

[Danielle]

This was such a lovely story - I would say this is arguably the most fantastical American Girl has gotten, with Rebecca starring in a silent film. It makes me wish we were able to see her older, pursuing her dreams.

[Amber M. McCarter]

I'm reading these for conversation purposes with my own 10 year old daughter, who loves Rebecca... But I was legitimately intrigued by this one!

[Gabby]

Read this short book in a day :D I love reading the American Girls series because they are a nice and easy read

[Wintermote]

Quite interesting look at early silent films and Jewish Passover history/practice

[Patricia GG]

I liked - but would say it is very very tame by today standards but it is nice to read such a book every now and then.
Leaves you feeling pure.