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American Girl: Claudie #1
Meet Claudie
Claudie Wells wants more than anything to be a person whose imagination can fly, instead of a person whose feet are stuck on the ground. She believes everyone has a talent except for her. She's growing up in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City during the 1920s, surrounded by writers and poets, painters and sculptors, actors and dancers, singers and musicians. When an eviction notice threatens her family, friends, and the beloved boardinghouse they share, Claudie has an idea that just might save the day. But first she'll have to find the confidence to let her imagination soar.
91 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2022
8 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Brit Bennett
21 books12k followersBorn and raised in Southern California, Brit Bennett graduated from Stanford University and later earned her MFA in fiction at the University of Michigan, where she won a Hopwood Award in Graduate Short Fiction as well as the 2014 Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, and her debut novel The Mothers was a New York Times bestseller. Her second novel The Vanishing Half was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Her essays have been featured in The New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, The Paris Review, and Jezebel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 9, 2024
First of all, the hardcover edition is a gorgeous book. The cover art and illustrations are beautiful. It has a ribbon bookmark. Under the dust jacket, the cover is embossed with a gold art deco-style design on a pale pink cover. The book starts with an introduction from the author detailing her childhood relationship with storytelling, dolls and American Girl (one of us! one of us!), the advisory board is acknowledged up front, and we get a beautiful map of Claudie's neighborhood. And just as Josefina's books start with a reminder that her community speaks Spanish, this one starts with a note clueing in young readers about terms for Black people in Claudie's day (like "Negro" or "colored") that were considered generally acceptable then, but now are not. Smart.
Claudie herself is a girl who is exploring her own identity. She sees skilled, creative people all around her, and wants to find an area where she can shine. School's out for the summer, so she has plenty of time to shadow some of the adults in her life and consider their talents and her own. About halfway through, she learns that the boarding house where she and her family live is behind on rent by a sizable amount, and she starts formulating an idea for raising money to help. She also notices how many people around her have come to Harlem from other places, and is curious about that, too.
Like most AG "Meet" books, the plot is not complex, nor does it need to be: The goal is to bring the reader into Claudie's world and show them around for about 75 pages. Given the three elements "everyone else has a talent," "Claudie wants to find her talent" and "the family needs money," I think a lot of media-savvy adults will see where this plot is going (and likely will continue to go in Claudie's Book 2, out in 2023). But author Brit Bennett shines in the execution.
Claudie makes an excellent tour guide: her interest in finding her talent serves as our excuse for chatting with everyone about their skills and their journeys. We learn a bit about her family's experience of the Great War - her father was one of the Harlem Hellfighters (and it still gives him nightmares), and she remembers the parade for them at the end of the war, reminding us all how very recent the war still was in 1922. We hear examples of prejudice faced by Black people from multiple characters, though we don't see it directly. One key source is Claudie's mother, a newspaper reporter who often covers lynchings and other tough stories. Another is the eviction plot point, which brings the subject of housing discrimination into the story in a very real way.
Another place Bennett shines is sliding in wisdom that I hope her readers will take to heart and keep forever:
"There was no such thing as a bad dancer, Miss Zula always said, only an unskilled one. And you could always learn a skill if you practiced enough." (page 2)
"Claudie was no singer... And yet she knew that a friend offering to teach you something she loved was a special gift." (p. 19)
"It's not just about talent... you got to work hard to get good at something." (p. 21)
"Sometimes we have to help people see what they would rather ignore." (p. 25)
For all the focus on Claudie finding a talent, the book clearly pushes back against the idea of being magically good at something the instant you try it, which feels so, so valuable.
The one thing that feels outside of the usual AG style is that the book ends, but the plot does not. I don't feel it's a full-on cliffhanger, but the end of this book is a very clear "to be continued." Even the Addy stories that end with family members still missing, or the Kaya stories that really want to be a novel always wrap up the immediate concerns of that book, and this one doesn't. Is this AG's latest ploy to make sure everybody buys both books? But while I wish they hadn't, the end isn't so jarring that I'd steer readers away from this book. Claudie is a gem, and her world is a lovely place to spend 70 pages: Even with the wait for Book 2, I recommend this installment on its own merits.
More Claudie babble
Adventures with Claudie
Claudie herself is a girl who is exploring her own identity. She sees skilled, creative people all around her, and wants to find an area where she can shine. School's out for the summer, so she has plenty of time to shadow some of the adults in her life and consider their talents and her own. About halfway through, she learns that the boarding house where she and her family live is behind on rent by a sizable amount, and she starts formulating an idea for raising money to help. She also notices how many people around her have come to Harlem from other places, and is curious about that, too.
Like most AG "Meet" books, the plot is not complex, nor does it need to be: The goal is to bring the reader into Claudie's world and show them around for about 75 pages. Given the three elements "everyone else has a talent," "Claudie wants to find her talent" and "the family needs money," I think a lot of media-savvy adults will see where this plot is going (and likely will continue to go in Claudie's Book 2, out in 2023). But author Brit Bennett shines in the execution.
Claudie makes an excellent tour guide: her interest in finding her talent serves as our excuse for chatting with everyone about their skills and their journeys. We learn a bit about her family's experience of the Great War - her father was one of the Harlem Hellfighters (and it still gives him nightmares), and she remembers the parade for them at the end of the war, reminding us all how very recent the war still was in 1922. We hear examples of prejudice faced by Black people from multiple characters, though we don't see it directly. One key source is Claudie's mother, a newspaper reporter who often covers lynchings and other tough stories. Another is the eviction plot point, which brings the subject of housing discrimination into the story in a very real way.
Another place Bennett shines is sliding in wisdom that I hope her readers will take to heart and keep forever:
"There was no such thing as a bad dancer, Miss Zula always said, only an unskilled one. And you could always learn a skill if you practiced enough." (page 2)
"Claudie was no singer... And yet she knew that a friend offering to teach you something she loved was a special gift." (p. 19)
"It's not just about talent... you got to work hard to get good at something." (p. 21)
"Sometimes we have to help people see what they would rather ignore." (p. 25)
For all the focus on Claudie finding a talent, the book clearly pushes back against the idea of being magically good at something the instant you try it, which feels so, so valuable.
The one thing that feels outside of the usual AG style is that the book ends, but the plot does not. I don't feel it's a full-on cliffhanger, but the end of this book is a very clear "to be continued." Even the Addy stories that end with family members still missing, or the Kaya stories that really want to be a novel always wrap up the immediate concerns of that book, and this one doesn't. Is this AG's latest ploy to make sure everybody buys both books? But while I wish they hadn't, the end isn't so jarring that I'd steer readers away from this book. Claudie is a gem, and her world is a lovely place to spend 70 pages: Even with the wait for Book 2, I recommend this installment on its own merits.
More Claudie babble
Adventures with Claudie
Want to read
August 23, 2022We are finally getting a Harlem Renaissance American Girl character! This is not a drill!
October 4, 2023
When I was in Chicago, I went to the American Girl store. I was an adult when AG dolls came out and only had boys so other than reading a book or two along the way, I've not spent any time with them. At the store, I was very intrigued by the Harlem Renaissance setting of Claudie as well as the fact that Brit Bennett wrote the book. A purchase followed and I read it in one day. Well done and I enjoyed the setting and tackling of issues at this level. Will keep an eye out for the others and now I have costume envy on the clothes!
October 19, 2022
Finally got a 1920s girl and she's as amazing as I'd hoped!! Also AG can we please continue on with all of the historical books being as gorgeously made as Claudie's and not those Beforever paperbacks?
November 20, 2022
I think Claudie might be my new favorite American Girl.
October 26, 2022
One thing about me is if Brit Bennett writes a book, I'm going to read it.
November 2, 2022
i need more immediately!
January 2, 2023
Claudie Wells is surrounded by talented people in her Harlem neighborhood but she lacks a special talent of her own. Sure she's a good sister to her little brother Jody, most of the time, but she longs to be a dancer, singer, artist or musician like her neighbors at Miss Amelia's boardinghouse. When Miss Amelia falls behind on the rent, Claudie and her family are faced with the possibility of finding a new home. Claudie doesn't want to leave the bustling boardinghouse to live in cramped rooms like some of her classmates but what can she do to help? She's just a kid, a kid without a talent.
This story is very short even compared with the original core series books. It's only about 70 pages of actual story and there's not much to that story. I've read other books for the same age about the Harlem Renaissance that had more substance. This one is a cursory introduction to the Harlem Renaissance, the people Claudie lives with and some of the issues of the time. The writing style is pretty simplistic but the story deals with tough topics like PTSD for WWII veterans, race riots and lynching. (Claudie's mom is based on Ida B. Wells, the muckracking journalist and anti-lynching crusader.) Those are some tough topics for a book this small. I wholeheartedly appreciate the introduction to the reasons people moved to Harlem and showing how Claudie lives in a nice little bubble where she doesn't have to experience racism and hate. Some parents may have a problem with these tough topics but AG has never shyed away from the tough stuff. There's also echoes of the short story Samantha's Special Talent which may appear in the second book due later. I was just hoping for a little more general 1920s and more getting to know Claudie and her world. The story ends on a cliffhanger which is weird and not at all in keeping with any of the other historical character stories.
Claudie is a likable enough character but we don't really get enough of her ordinary, every day life. She just talks to people and asks questions about their talent. I think she has ADD because she's always daydreaming and trying new things but not following through. It's obvious what her talent is and I don't know why someone hasn't pointed it out to her. She denies it as soon as someone brings it up anyway. She's cute with her little brother and tries to shield him from worrying about grown-up problems, just as Felicity does with her younger siblings when their mother is ill. Jody is a sweet boy who loves his sister and baseball. Claudie seems lonely though, being one of two kids in the boardinghouse. She has a best friend but we don't really see Nina except to watch her dance. Claudie mostly hangs out with Jody or adults.
Claudie loves living in the noisy, bustling boardinghouse where there's always something going on. Miss Amelia is very kind and loving towards her boarders but that gets her into trouble when she experiences financial difficulties. She's too proud to admit she's in trouble and needs help and probably doesn't want to pass her burden onto the boarders and possibly fears if she does, they'll leave. The boarders are mostly friendly and try to help Claudie find her talent. Selma, a talented jazz singer, loves to perform. She allows Claudie to try on her beautiful costumes but Claudie can't sing and is too shy to perform in public. Porter, a cornet player, tries to teach Claudie how to play his horn. He's passionate about music and a fun friend. The only one who is not nice is Gwen, a watercolor artist, who claims she doesn't take to children, yet obviously listens to Jody and talks to him. She's rude about Claudie's request when everyone else was eager and enthusiastic. I think Gwen is stuck on the ground. While she encourages Claudie to try new things, she doesn't seem interested in trying them herself.
Claudie's Mama is a crusading journalist who always gets her scoop. She's outgoing and inquisitive in order to share the news with her community. Claudie is closer to Daddy, a patient baker and WWI veteran who shares his stories and his baking, with Claudie. I like the complexity of his back story and it also sheds some light on what Molly's dad might be like when he comes home, something the original Molly stories lacked. Daddy tries to help guide Claudie but she's too impatient to really understand what he's trying to teach her.
The illustrations reflect the Art Deco era. It's unusual to see 2D illustrations in an AG book these days but they weren't my cup of tea any more than the digital 3D illustrations are. The dull paper doesn't make the illustrations shine the way the old Pleasant Co. books did. I do not feel like I can enter Claudie's world. I did like how the pictures look period and have an Art Deco border.
The book also features a special introduction by the author (6 pages), about the author and illustrator (1 p.), pictures and biographies of the advisory panel (2 p.), a note about the language used to describe Black people in the 1920s. This is VERY VERY much appreciated and all the historical books need that kind of label these day as kids don't learn much about how people in the past thought and spoke differently from people of today. There's a full color map of Claudie's neighborhood and the friends and family section. In the back of the book is the historical note "Inside Claudie's World" complete with photos and emphemera (7 pages). There's also discussion questions if you're using the book for teaching and a sneak peek of Addy's first book.
I'm eager to read the second book and hope it covers more ground than this one.
This story is very short even compared with the original core series books. It's only about 70 pages of actual story and there's not much to that story. I've read other books for the same age about the Harlem Renaissance that had more substance. This one is a cursory introduction to the Harlem Renaissance, the people Claudie lives with and some of the issues of the time. The writing style is pretty simplistic but the story deals with tough topics like PTSD for WWII veterans, race riots and lynching. (Claudie's mom is based on Ida B. Wells, the muckracking journalist and anti-lynching crusader.) Those are some tough topics for a book this small. I wholeheartedly appreciate the introduction to the reasons people moved to Harlem and showing how Claudie lives in a nice little bubble where she doesn't have to experience racism and hate. Some parents may have a problem with these tough topics but AG has never shyed away from the tough stuff. There's also echoes of the short story Samantha's Special Talent which may appear in the second book due later. I was just hoping for a little more general 1920s and more getting to know Claudie and her world. The story ends on a cliffhanger which is weird and not at all in keeping with any of the other historical character stories.
Claudie is a likable enough character but we don't really get enough of her ordinary, every day life. She just talks to people and asks questions about their talent. I think she has ADD because she's always daydreaming and trying new things but not following through. It's obvious what her talent is and I don't know why someone hasn't pointed it out to her. She denies it as soon as someone brings it up anyway. She's cute with her little brother and tries to shield him from worrying about grown-up problems, just as Felicity does with her younger siblings when their mother is ill. Jody is a sweet boy who loves his sister and baseball. Claudie seems lonely though, being one of two kids in the boardinghouse. She has a best friend but we don't really see Nina except to watch her dance. Claudie mostly hangs out with Jody or adults.
Claudie loves living in the noisy, bustling boardinghouse where there's always something going on. Miss Amelia is very kind and loving towards her boarders but that gets her into trouble when she experiences financial difficulties. She's too proud to admit she's in trouble and needs help and probably doesn't want to pass her burden onto the boarders and possibly fears if she does, they'll leave. The boarders are mostly friendly and try to help Claudie find her talent. Selma, a talented jazz singer, loves to perform. She allows Claudie to try on her beautiful costumes but Claudie can't sing and is too shy to perform in public. Porter, a cornet player, tries to teach Claudie how to play his horn. He's passionate about music and a fun friend. The only one who is not nice is Gwen, a watercolor artist, who claims she doesn't take to children, yet obviously listens to Jody and talks to him. She's rude about Claudie's request when everyone else was eager and enthusiastic. I think Gwen is stuck on the ground. While she encourages Claudie to try new things, she doesn't seem interested in trying them herself.
Claudie's Mama is a crusading journalist who always gets her scoop. She's outgoing and inquisitive in order to share the news with her community. Claudie is closer to Daddy, a patient baker and WWI veteran who shares his stories and his baking, with Claudie. I like the complexity of his back story and it also sheds some light on what Molly's dad might be like when he comes home, something the original Molly stories lacked. Daddy tries to help guide Claudie but she's too impatient to really understand what he's trying to teach her.
The illustrations reflect the Art Deco era. It's unusual to see 2D illustrations in an AG book these days but they weren't my cup of tea any more than the digital 3D illustrations are. The dull paper doesn't make the illustrations shine the way the old Pleasant Co. books did. I do not feel like I can enter Claudie's world. I did like how the pictures look period and have an Art Deco border.
The book also features a special introduction by the author (6 pages), about the author and illustrator (1 p.), pictures and biographies of the advisory panel (2 p.), a note about the language used to describe Black people in the 1920s. This is VERY VERY much appreciated and all the historical books need that kind of label these day as kids don't learn much about how people in the past thought and spoke differently from people of today. There's a full color map of Claudie's neighborhood and the friends and family section. In the back of the book is the historical note "Inside Claudie's World" complete with photos and emphemera (7 pages). There's also discussion questions if you're using the book for teaching and a sneak peek of Addy's first book.
I'm eager to read the second book and hope it covers more ground than this one.
March 30, 2025
Oooh I loved this one! Just wish it was one of the bigger volume books as I wanted to know what happens next and it's so hard to get AG books in Europe. I don't know much about the Harlem Renaissance, so this was a great way to learn more about it. Claudie is a lovely character and she deserves more attention
December 29, 2025
end of the year trying to meet my reading goal core, but still, i loved this so much
January 30, 2023
Absolutely LOVE this book. Claudie is a wonderful character! Everything about this reminded me of old and classic American Girl books. Well done!!! Can’t wait for Book #2!
September 5, 2022
i absolutely love claudie!! i love that brit bennett is the author of claudie's books too, i loved the vanishing half, and i feel like her writing style is recognizable and enticing even when writing for a younger audience. reading AG books is honestly really fun as an adult bc it's nostalgic and when it's a new character like this, it's exciting to get to know someone new.
claudie is really relatable and i love that there's finally a character during such an interesting time in history. each of the boarders claudie knows feels fully fleshed out as well. i wish i had had claudie and her stories as a kid! the illustrations were gorgeous too and i love that it seems like the historical characters are getting full, illustrated, 6-book series again! (after abridging and removing illustrations in recent years...or the semi-creepy photorealistic "illustrations" lol). will definitely be keeping up with the rest of claudie's books!!
claudie is really relatable and i love that there's finally a character during such an interesting time in history. each of the boarders claudie knows feels fully fleshed out as well. i wish i had had claudie and her stories as a kid! the illustrations were gorgeous too and i love that it seems like the historical characters are getting full, illustrated, 6-book series again! (after abridging and removing illustrations in recent years...or the semi-creepy photorealistic "illustrations" lol). will definitely be keeping up with the rest of claudie's books!!
October 6, 2025
I love American Girls and have decided to read them all.
Claudie is at once relatable and extraordinary. Brit Bennett had me hooked after the introduction.
Claudie is at once relatable and extraordinary. Brit Bennett had me hooked after the introduction.
August 31, 2022
I will read anything and everything by Brit Bennett, even if it's a kid's book. I absolutely adored this story -- it's about time American Girl introduced a character living through the Harlem Renaissance, and Brit's writing brings beauty not often found in children's books! This first book is reminiscent of the days when AG tackled difficult subjects and didn't shy away from history. Claudie experiences major historical events that feel more relevant than ever as she learns about violence against Black folks and the treatment of the Harlem Hellfighters post-WWI. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 9, 2022
This is a cute book, and Claudie is a cutie.
I felt like something is missing? Like, Claudie's school is mentioned and Claudie's friend Nina is introduced as a talented dancer.
We don't see Claudie actually interacting with Nina, though, just watching her dance.
The focus is so much on educating the reader about Harlem through introducing them to talented members of the boarding house that the book just does not feel like a well rounded portrayal of Claudie's life.
The book also ends with several issues unresolved. This is an American Girl book, not a thriller series. There's no need for the unresolved ending.
I felt like something is missing? Like, Claudie's school is mentioned and Claudie's friend Nina is introduced as a talented dancer.
We don't see Claudie actually interacting with Nina, though, just watching her dance.
The focus is so much on educating the reader about Harlem through introducing them to talented members of the boarding house that the book just does not feel like a well rounded portrayal of Claudie's life.
The book also ends with several issues unresolved. This is an American Girl book, not a thriller series. There's no need for the unresolved ending.
September 17, 2022
Biased because I work for AG but Claudie is adorable!! Her story focuses on black joy and art during the Harlem Renaissance. Extremely sweet story, character, and doll.
August 12, 2023
Ugh I'm so happy this exists. So much good history in here, and so much nostalgia to my own American Girl days.
November 16, 2024
This is a hard one to rate. Because my assessment of these books is a lot different on how we're judging them - as individual books? As a whole series? Or as entries into the American Girl canon?
Starting with the most positive, as a whole series - absolutely stellar. Amazing prose, lovely characters, wonderful illustrations, and a thoughtful engagement with history. I really adored Claudie's character - she's the first time that AG's attempts at a more reserved girl have truly worked for me.
I love that Brit Bennett chose to make one of her primary storylines "wondering what her talent is" for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it allows us to look at the Harlem Renaissance through a variety of different lens's. We get to see her engaging with dancing, painting, music, writing, reporting, and baking through the different adults in her life. It really does an excellent job of showing the diversity of the era. I also love that throughout all of this, she's encouraged to practice, and told time and time again that 'talent' isn't just something you're born with.
All of the plot threads are neatly tied up by the time the story is over, without it feeling like there was anything "left on the table".
Emphasis on *by the time the story is over*, because it sure didn't feel that way by the end of Meet Claudie! It had one of the most egregious cliffhangers I've seen in AG history. Neither of the big plot points introduced in Meet Claudie are resolved during it - both of them occur in her second book. And while AG has had cliffhangers before, this one just feels ridiculous. It feels like you're being sold half a story.
And speaking on that... in general, her books are weak when compared to the rest of the AG canon, because she only got *two 70~ page books*! I have so many problems with the Beforever books, but at the very least those had a higher page count to account for only having two of them. The lack of content for Claudie's series just feels inappropriate to me. There's *so much more* that could be done with this girl and this setting. Like I said - I think Bennett wrapped up the plots she did introduce well. But I can't help but mourn for the kinds of plots we could have had with a 6 book series.
So - I think it's extremely good for what it *is*. But when you compare it to other entries in the AG franchise, it's clear how much is missing from Claudie's series - and I think that's a real shame.
Starting with the most positive, as a whole series - absolutely stellar. Amazing prose, lovely characters, wonderful illustrations, and a thoughtful engagement with history. I really adored Claudie's character - she's the first time that AG's attempts at a more reserved girl have truly worked for me.
I love that Brit Bennett chose to make one of her primary storylines "wondering what her talent is" for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it allows us to look at the Harlem Renaissance through a variety of different lens's. We get to see her engaging with dancing, painting, music, writing, reporting, and baking through the different adults in her life. It really does an excellent job of showing the diversity of the era. I also love that throughout all of this, she's encouraged to practice, and told time and time again that 'talent' isn't just something you're born with.
All of the plot threads are neatly tied up by the time the story is over, without it feeling like there was anything "left on the table".
Emphasis on *by the time the story is over*, because it sure didn't feel that way by the end of Meet Claudie! It had one of the most egregious cliffhangers I've seen in AG history. Neither of the big plot points introduced in Meet Claudie are resolved during it - both of them occur in her second book. And while AG has had cliffhangers before, this one just feels ridiculous. It feels like you're being sold half a story.
And speaking on that... in general, her books are weak when compared to the rest of the AG canon, because she only got *two 70~ page books*! I have so many problems with the Beforever books, but at the very least those had a higher page count to account for only having two of them. The lack of content for Claudie's series just feels inappropriate to me. There's *so much more* that could be done with this girl and this setting. Like I said - I think Bennett wrapped up the plots she did introduce well. But I can't help but mourn for the kinds of plots we could have had with a 6 book series.
So - I think it's extremely good for what it *is*. But when you compare it to other entries in the AG franchise, it's clear how much is missing from Claudie's series - and I think that's a real shame.
May 17, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Claudie Wells live in Harlem in the 1920s. Her mother is a news reporter who is often called to cover stories for the Amsterdam News, and her father, who was in the Harlem Hellfighters during WWI, works at Angelo's Bakery. They live in a boarding house run by Miss Amelia that is filled with a colorful array of performers and other Black citizens. Claudie isn't quite sure where her talents lie, and spends the summer discovering her talents. Her brother, Jody, is very interested in the Lincoln Giants, a Negro League baseball team. When Miss Amelia recieves an eviction notice, Claudie decides that instead of just having a rent party for people to contribute to pay the $100 owed, she will have the residents put on a show. She doesn't want to lose her home, especially since her father suffers from his experiences in the way. When her mother has to go Georgia for work, Claudie looks forward to traveling with her and learns a little about the Great Migration that brought her family, and many other Blacks, to Harlem. The next book in the series, Adventures with Claudie, covers this trip.
Strengths: When I started working in my school library in 2002, there were a handful of the original American Girl books about Molly McIntire, Kit Kittredge, Samantha Parkington, Addy Walker, the Black character who was released in 1993 and represented the Civil War era. At the time, my students didn't read the books because they were short (about 100 pages), and were very formulaic. Different characters all had the same story lines, which incorporated historical information. Now, this length and level of complexity would probably work well for my students. I was glad to see that Claudie's story was generally happy, but that the racial issues of the time were addressed. I would love to see a novel set in a Black community in 1919, the "Red Summer". Our middle school history courses only cover the time period up to the end of the Civil War, so there is not a lot taught about Civil Rights after the Civil War. There are so many interesting stories, and this gave an interesting look at life in Harlem in the 1920s.
Weaknesses: The story is a little light on plot; this happens when a story arc is spread over several books. I'm unsure how my students feel about American Girl.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like historical fiction like Cline-Ransom's Finding Langston, Curtis' The Might Miss Malone, or Daley's If the Fire Comes.
Claudie Wells live in Harlem in the 1920s. Her mother is a news reporter who is often called to cover stories for the Amsterdam News, and her father, who was in the Harlem Hellfighters during WWI, works at Angelo's Bakery. They live in a boarding house run by Miss Amelia that is filled with a colorful array of performers and other Black citizens. Claudie isn't quite sure where her talents lie, and spends the summer discovering her talents. Her brother, Jody, is very interested in the Lincoln Giants, a Negro League baseball team. When Miss Amelia recieves an eviction notice, Claudie decides that instead of just having a rent party for people to contribute to pay the $100 owed, she will have the residents put on a show. She doesn't want to lose her home, especially since her father suffers from his experiences in the way. When her mother has to go Georgia for work, Claudie looks forward to traveling with her and learns a little about the Great Migration that brought her family, and many other Blacks, to Harlem. The next book in the series, Adventures with Claudie, covers this trip.
Strengths: When I started working in my school library in 2002, there were a handful of the original American Girl books about Molly McIntire, Kit Kittredge, Samantha Parkington, Addy Walker, the Black character who was released in 1993 and represented the Civil War era. At the time, my students didn't read the books because they were short (about 100 pages), and were very formulaic. Different characters all had the same story lines, which incorporated historical information. Now, this length and level of complexity would probably work well for my students. I was glad to see that Claudie's story was generally happy, but that the racial issues of the time were addressed. I would love to see a novel set in a Black community in 1919, the "Red Summer". Our middle school history courses only cover the time period up to the end of the Civil War, so there is not a lot taught about Civil Rights after the Civil War. There are so many interesting stories, and this gave an interesting look at life in Harlem in the 1920s.
Weaknesses: The story is a little light on plot; this happens when a story arc is spread over several books. I'm unsure how my students feel about American Girl.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like historical fiction like Cline-Ransom's Finding Langston, Curtis' The Might Miss Malone, or Daley's If the Fire Comes.
August 24, 2022
I've loved American Girl since I was a kid, and I love the Harlem Renaissance. So of course I bought and read this the day it released. It does what all the American Girl stories do so well and brings the time period to life through the eyes of a character that kids can relate to. It's a good story. And I really enjoyed reading about the author's childhood love of American Girl as well, because it shows how meaningful it was for her to create Claudie. The one and only thing that keeps this story from being 5 stars is that it has no real resolution. The American Girl stories that I remember from my childhood had themes and plotlines that ran through the series, but each story also had its own problem that was solved or discovery that was made. In this one, the book ends before Claudie fully discovers her talent and before the big issue is dealt with. Still a great story, but the cliffhanger was disappointing.
April 16, 2025
If they made every new AG book like this I wouldn’t be upset at all. Didn’t even miss the vignettes or the standard six part storyline. And the book was just STUNNING. Pictures were beautiful. Endsheets, fonts, even the little pink ribbon attached. Everything was so well thought out that just having this little book in my hands felt like a treasure. But enough about its appearance.
I want to be besties with Brit Bennett. She just gets it and she writes an amazing AG story (see, we should just have the fans write them now!) This first story didn’t have too much in terms of drama but you can tell it’s setting you up for the second book.
I want to be besties with Brit Bennett. She just gets it and she writes an amazing AG story (see, we should just have the fans write them now!) This first story didn’t have too much in terms of drama but you can tell it’s setting you up for the second book.
March 14, 2023
I love Claudie. Her spark, her kindness, and her curiosity are so fun to read about. Brit Bennett also opens up the world of 1920s Harlem in such an accessible, illustrative way. She understands the voice of an American Girl book and reading this I was instantly transported back to childhood. My only disappointment is I didn’t realize it was just part 1 of a whole story - I’m ready to know how it ends!
April 15, 2023
So cute and so special that there is a doll from my neighborhood of Harlem ❤️ star deducted because I feel like all the other “meet” books had a plot to some extent or at least wrapped up the story, like you could just read the one and it would be a complete narrative. This one was a total cliffhanger, except the plot isn’t fleshed out enough yet for there to be any cliffs. Hardly any narrative tension at all yet! Hopefully book 2 will improve upon that.
December 23, 2023
what a cutie! honestly the newer books are horsecrap compared to the old ones but this captured the american girl spirit in such an honest and beautiful way while still being contemporary. claudie is adorable, brit bennett is remarkable, and they need to market claudie more she’s a gem can’t wait to read book two!! well listen to i’m doing audio books for these ones
four stars because i think the six book series is so much better. you get more time with the girls. the two book abridged version is too short.
four stars because i think the six book series is so much better. you get more time with the girls. the two book abridged version is too short.
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August 26, 2022This was very cute and a quick listen (less than 2 hours). But I forgot American Girl Books are a series and that the plots continue book to book!! So a cute little cliffhanger for me!!
*Thanks to PRH Audio for the ALC; all thoughts are my own*
*Thanks to PRH Audio for the ALC; all thoughts are my own*
March 26, 2023
This was a very cute introduction to Claudie and her Harlem Renaissance world, but the ending was a bit abrupt so I’m crossing my fingers there will be a second book soon!
January 1, 2024
About time I read it - and excellent
July 14, 2025
This book reads as a very “classic” AG novel, despite its recent publication date. The story is uplifting, the author’s note is especially heartwarming, and the time period is interesting. Claudie is very cute, I love the illustrations.
September 10, 2022
I always wanted a 1920s story, and partly why I held Samantha in such a high light when I was younger and Rebecca later on as an adult revisiting the stories. When I heard Claudie was a 1920s girl, I preordered the book. Got it in the mail today and read it almost all in one go!
I love how this book is setup. From the artwork, to the information in each page, it really came alive to me compared to other AG books. I knew about Harlem and the time period, but this gave me more information than I ever got during history lessons. I know that it is a "watered down" version for young readers to digest, but I still feel like the author "went there." Bennett gave as much information about the hardships of Black Americans during this time for a 9 year old to process without traumatizing them.
I am looking forward to seeing more of Claudie. Bennett is a great author who I can tell took a lot of pride in writing such a well written book.
I love how this book is setup. From the artwork, to the information in each page, it really came alive to me compared to other AG books. I knew about Harlem and the time period, but this gave me more information than I ever got during history lessons. I know that it is a "watered down" version for young readers to digest, but I still feel like the author "went there." Bennett gave as much information about the hardships of Black Americans during this time for a 9 year old to process without traumatizing them.
I am looking forward to seeing more of Claudie. Bennett is a great author who I can tell took a lot of pride in writing such a well written book.
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September 26, 2022Only thing that is a disappointment is that I have to wait until 2023 to find out what happens!
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