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American Girl: Felicity #6
Changes for Felicity: A Winter Story
For Felicity, 1776 starts off with good news. Her beloved horse, Penny, is going to have a foal! Felicity has one worry--Jiggy Nye. He has been cruel to Penny in the past. Will he be cruel to her again? Soon Felicity has more worries. Her family believes in independence for the colonies. But the family of Elizabeth, Felicity's best friend, believes in loyalty to the king. Suddenly, Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a Loyalist. Will Felicity and Elizabeth's friendship survive the many changes that both girls face?
69 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 1992
20 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
275 books456 followersValerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 30, 2024
Full of action, fear, grief, hope, and forgiveness, this one is bittersweet and lovely. Each time I read the series, book six in particular, I'm more impressed with how real these characters and their lives become in my mind. Excellent!
February 8, 2023
Felicity Merriman, my childhood hero :’) I always loved this installment in the Felicity series as a kid. Revisiting the storyline of Felicity losing her grandfather was very comforting and healing after recently losing my own grandfather. I loved the discussions about grief and change and thought they were handled so well for a series aimed at 8-12 year olds. American Girl is truly timeless. I will always love these books.
July 29, 2025
{July 2025 Reread}
So iconic, we LOVE. Kindness as a catalyst for redemption? Iconic. Childhood friendships persevering in the midst of messy adult political conflicts? Iconic. Penny having a baby named Patriot? Iconic. Belicity maintaining their status as a superior ship? Iconicccccc.
"If you hurt Felicity or Penny, I'll kill you. Mark me, I will!"
So iconic, we LOVE. Kindness as a catalyst for redemption? Iconic. Childhood friendships persevering in the midst of messy adult political conflicts? Iconic. Penny having a baby named Patriot? Iconic. Belicity maintaining their status as a superior ship? Iconicccccc.
June 26, 2021
Action-packed and one of the better Felicity stories in the series. Felicity learns several lessons. Lessons about loss, kindness, friendship, forgiveness and sacrifice. When reaching the end, I really wished the story continued. I'd love to know what happens to Felicity and her family during and after the Revolutionary War. Big changes are definitely in store for Felicity, even more than the changes we see in the book.
April 23, 2021
I am so happy that I re-read these books again after all these years!
I don't remember noticing it as a kid, but I think there's a very good chance that Felicity and Ben end up married down the road....
I don't remember noticing it as a kid, but I think there's a very good chance that Felicity and Ben end up married down the road....
April 11, 2020
Whenever anyone tells me, "You just don't like change," I picture the cover of this book and feel perfectly validated in my opinion. Change is difficult! Change is bittersweet. Change shakes up your life, and then you have to wait nervously to find out what happens next.
I appreciated this book more as an adult. It's still sad, but I'm now accustomed to life changes, and appreciate this book's sensitive portrayal of Felicity's emotions. Even though I used to laugh at my mother for crying when she read children's books aloud to us, I cried over this one, mainly because
This one is one of the most bittersweet series conclusions, in my opinion, because even though it provides a satisfying ending to the series and has a redemptive story arc, a lot of sad and scary changes happen. It's authentic to the time period and to life's realities, and provides a moving portrait of how children process changes in their lives, but I can see why this was a downer to me when I was that age.
Years later, when the American Girl mysteries came out, I was thrilled, because they picked up where each series ended and I could find out what happened to the characters next. I especially valued this in the case of Felicity, since this book involves so many huge alterations to daily life without fully showing what happens next. Finishing this makes me want to reread the mysteries, so in that sense, not much has changed.
I appreciated this book more as an adult. It's still sad, but I'm now accustomed to life changes, and appreciate this book's sensitive portrayal of Felicity's emotions. Even though I used to laugh at my mother for crying when she read children's books aloud to us, I cried over this one, mainly because
This one is one of the most bittersweet series conclusions, in my opinion, because even though it provides a satisfying ending to the series and has a redemptive story arc, a lot of sad and scary changes happen. It's authentic to the time period and to life's realities, and provides a moving portrait of how children process changes in their lives, but I can see why this was a downer to me when I was that age.
Years later, when the American Girl mysteries came out, I was thrilled, because they picked up where each series ended and I could find out what happened to the characters next. I especially valued this in the case of Felicity, since this book involves so many huge alterations to daily life without fully showing what happens next. Finishing this makes me want to reread the mysteries, so in that sense, not much has changed.
July 27, 2024
I love seeing Felicity's arc in this series. I doubt I appreciated it as a kid, but, as an adult, I really loved it. Also, Grandfather was absolutely wonderful in this one, and I love the message of how you can still be friends with people you disagree with. Also, the theme of forgiveness was great.
August 31, 2023
Such a sweet ending! I love the way the changes in Felicity's life were balanced between the historical changes of the time and changes amongst her family, as well as her own personal growth. It's so cool to see how much she has grown up! <3
May 6, 2025
Re-reading this series was honestly so joyful and nostalgic, such a sweet, fitting read for the end of college LOL! These books are definitely more shaped to help young girls adapt and grow and not full historical accuracy, but I just love how American Girl applies girlhood to every era of life and history, and introduces the idea to young girls that history can be fun!
Also in reading these books I’ve loved learning about Pleasant Rowland and the founding of American Girl! Truly so much care put into these stories!
Now time to write my senior thesis about Felicity Merriman 🤩😙☺️
Also in reading these books I’ve loved learning about Pleasant Rowland and the founding of American Girl! Truly so much care put into these stories!
Now time to write my senior thesis about Felicity Merriman 🤩😙☺️
March 23, 2024
You think this is about horses, and then suddenly it's something else entirely. Jail and grief and sadness in the middle, bracketed by a horse story. A grief sandwich on horse bread?
...no, maybe not.
The horse parts tie up Penny's storyline nicely: the we-don't-say-stealing of Penny is remedied by Grandfather. His generosity and Felicity's kindness inspire Jiggy Nye to turn over a new leaf - thus becoming an ally when Felicity needs help during the birth of Penny's foal.
(I can't help wondering, surely there were other, closer neighbors and *ahem* enslaved people who could have helped in the absence of Father and Marcus, but this is a case of plot overriding logic.)
Also worth noting, Felicity's kind gesture to Jiggy Nye only happens because Elizabeth pushes her to be her best self. It's no coincidence that there's no sign of Annabelle, who always seems to bring out the worst in the younger girls.
In the middle is all the sad stuff - Mr. Cole being jailed for his political opinions, Grandfather's illness. In the wake of it all, we reflect on Felicity's growth over the course of the series: a conversation with her mother closely mirrors one Molly has with Jill in Changes For Molly. (I see and honor your patterns, Valerie Tripp.)
As throughout the Felicity books, the revolutionary politics stay very black and white. (Or perhaps, white and more white, as we are still definitely not talking about Black people or slavery in this book.) And of course the ending has to be fairly optimistic about the war to be a happy ending, but you know they have a hard road ahead.
More Felicity babble
Meet Felicity | Felicity Learns a Lesson | Felicity’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Felicity | Felicity Saves the Day | Changes for Felicity
Very Funny, Elizabeth
Felicity’s New Sister | Felicity’s Dancing Shoes | Felicity Takes a Dare | Felicity Discovers a Secret | Felicity’s Short Story Collection
Peril at King’s Creek | Traitor in Williamsburg | Lady Margaret’s Ghost
...no, maybe not.
The horse parts tie up Penny's storyline nicely: the we-don't-say-stealing of Penny is remedied by Grandfather. His generosity and Felicity's kindness inspire Jiggy Nye to turn over a new leaf - thus becoming an ally when Felicity needs help during the birth of Penny's foal.
(I can't help wondering, surely there were other, closer neighbors and *ahem* enslaved people who could have helped in the absence of Father and Marcus, but this is a case of plot overriding logic.)
Also worth noting, Felicity's kind gesture to Jiggy Nye only happens because Elizabeth pushes her to be her best self. It's no coincidence that there's no sign of Annabelle, who always seems to bring out the worst in the younger girls.
In the middle is all the sad stuff - Mr. Cole being jailed for his political opinions, Grandfather's illness. In the wake of it all, we reflect on Felicity's growth over the course of the series: a conversation with her mother closely mirrors one Molly has with Jill in Changes For Molly. (I see and honor your patterns, Valerie Tripp.)
As throughout the Felicity books, the revolutionary politics stay very black and white. (Or perhaps, white and more white, as we are still definitely not talking about Black people or slavery in this book.) And of course the ending has to be fairly optimistic about the war to be a happy ending, but you know they have a hard road ahead.
More Felicity babble
Meet Felicity | Felicity Learns a Lesson | Felicity’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Felicity | Felicity Saves the Day | Changes for Felicity
Very Funny, Elizabeth
Felicity’s New Sister | Felicity’s Dancing Shoes | Felicity Takes a Dare | Felicity Discovers a Secret | Felicity’s Short Story Collection
Peril at King’s Creek | Traitor in Williamsburg | Lady Margaret’s Ghost
January 24, 2018
I like how this book continues to get further into the growing turmoil the colonies faced at the brink of the revolutionary war. It’s sad that such things happened to families like Elizabeth. And to think about all the extra work on top of their already heavy workloads basically everyone at home had to deal with when inevitably they all lost someone in their family to the war in some shape or form.
I liked the full circle journey of felicity and jiggy nye. I just wish there was a felicity story that had them together in it as friends. I also liked that the story still displayed an act of kindness and good character when Elizabeth convinced felicity to make up the basket to leave at the jail. All great qualities of a good American girl story. Suspense, lessons and examples of good character and lots of interesting history :) I could read these books over and over and never stop lol.
I liked the full circle journey of felicity and jiggy nye. I just wish there was a felicity story that had them together in it as friends. I also liked that the story still displayed an act of kindness and good character when Elizabeth convinced felicity to make up the basket to leave at the jail. All great qualities of a good American girl story. Suspense, lessons and examples of good character and lots of interesting history :) I could read these books over and over and never stop lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
"Jiggy Nye used to be a respected man. No one in Williamsburg knew more about animals. But after his wife died, he took to drinking. He drank in hate with every drop."Despite repeated assurances that Mr. Nye is locked up in jail for being unable to pay his debtors, Felicity is still nervous about what it means for him to get out. Her friend, Elizabeth Cole, has a more charitable outlook.
Meanwhile, tensions rise between Loyalists and Patriots in her town of Williamsburg, and finally things have bubbled over. Loyalists are getting locked up, left and right - including Elizabeth's own father.
"Mr. Nye said he would kill Penny before he'd let me have her. He meant it, too."
"He may have meant it when he said it," replied Elizabeth. "But if you do something nice for him, he won't want to hurt you or your horse."
In a desperate bid to release Mr. Cole, Felicity's grandfather puts himself to great risk.
I was more than a little bit torn on this book.
"No!" said Felicity. "I hate changes!"
"Not all changes are bad," said Mrs. Merriman. "Think of how you've changed in the past year. ... You're steady and thoughtful, even if you are still sometimes impatient."
On the one hand, the book's attempted message - one of forgiveness and extending kindness to those is need - is commendable.
On the other hand, Jiggy Nye literally did say he'd rather kill Penny rather than allow Felicity near the horse. He was said to have killed the last horse before Penny and was known for beating, whipping and starving horses for no reason other than they were scared of him.
And I (as the reader) am supposed to believe that Jiggy Nye is actually the best animal caretaker who gets a bit...violent when he drinks his sorrows away? I'm sorry but an animal abuser doesn't get a free pass because he shows the "dead wife" card.
I feel like extending grace and understanding can be a good move if it was done with the parents along, but I didn't like that the message was that these ten year old girls were the ones who needed to make amends on their own.
And I especially didn't like that the thought process was that appeasing the foul-tempered and cruel man was a way to protect the vulnerable Penny and her foal. It's sad that he was sick in jail but also...it shouldn't have been up to the girls to make him better.
Furthermore, in this one, Felicity experiences the loss of who manages to do a few good deeds to free certain people from jail.
Which sounds great on the surface, but at the same time - I do find it rather...ironic...that and yet none of the characters even pick up on that.
Like in the last book, I do feel incredibly disappointed by how slavery is shown in this book series. It took until the fifth book for it to be revealed that the Grandfather's plantation had slave quarters but there's a complete lack of acknowledgement from any of the characters.
Furthermore, in this book, Mr. Merriman goes back to the plantation to 'take care of things', but there's no mention to what will happen to the lives of those men and women who are owned by the Merriman Family.
After the wonderful Addy books, I just feel like this book could have done more to keep true to history but not gloss over the slavery aspects.
May 5, 2011
Mom: Annabelle, this story is about "independence for the colonies" versus being loyal to the king. What does that mean?
Annabelle: I don't know.
M: Elizabeth's father went to jail. Why?
A: Because he was a Loyalist to the king.
M: What does that mean?
A: DON'T KNOW!
M: That means, he wanted the king the to be the king where they lived.
A: They lived in Williamsburg.
M: Did Felicity's family want the king to be the king?
A: Not very much on the kings tax on tea.
M: What's tax on tea?
A: People have to pay money if they're gonna have tea.
M: Is that the only reason they didn't want him to be king.
A: They wanted him to be king, yeah, but they just didn't like their tax on tea.
Did they want him to be their king in their land?
Well, I'm not so sure about that.
Annabelle: I don't know.
M: Elizabeth's father went to jail. Why?
A: Because he was a Loyalist to the king.
M: What does that mean?
A: DON'T KNOW!
M: That means, he wanted the king the to be the king where they lived.
A: They lived in Williamsburg.
M: Did Felicity's family want the king to be the king?
A: Not very much on the kings tax on tea.
M: What's tax on tea?
A: People have to pay money if they're gonna have tea.
M: Is that the only reason they didn't want him to be king.
A: They wanted him to be king, yeah, but they just didn't like their tax on tea.
Did they want him to be their king in their land?
Well, I'm not so sure about that.
February 14, 2012
As the seasons change life in the colonies changes as well. The tension between Patriots and Loyalists continues to build and the power begins to tip in the favor of the people, at least in Williamsberg. Loyalist are often jailed or forced to move back to England or to places like New York where the British soldiers maintain order. During all this Felicity grows and her beautiful qualities show that much more. She is a good friend, daughter, grand daughter, and even secret giver of compassion to someone who may not be deserving but needs it most. I love the character that Felicity shows. A good role model for young readers. Wish this was not the last one in the series :(
July 11, 2011
I thought that Changes for Felicity was sad and joyful. It was sad because Felicity's grandfather dies. My favorite part was when ever Felicity's horse, Penny, had a colt and Felicity named it Patriot. Penny was in labor and nobody was around except Felicity, Ben, And Felicity's mother. Felicity ran in to town as fast as she could go. She ran to Jiggy Nye who first had Penny and had hurt and starved
Penny. But he was in jail with fever so Felicity gave him some medicine and a warm blanket. So he paid his debt. He helped Penny and Felicity.
Penny. But he was in jail with fever so Felicity gave him some medicine and a warm blanket. So he paid his debt. He helped Penny and Felicity.
March 20, 2021
It is 1776 in Colonial America. Felicity is a Patriot; her best friend Elizabeth is a Loyalist. Soldiers are everywhere as the Revolutionary War rages. This short novel of historical fiction explores the impact of the war on the lives of the average citizen. Felicity's life changes in both positive and negative ways. Number six in the Felicity series....
January 9, 2026
Gotta praise this book and the series for the excellent character development. Kindness and sacrifice are the main components of this particular book. Felicity is challenged to do the right thing and ends up changing a life for the better. A great message that a small sacrifice can make a big difference and we can all do in our own way.
August 10, 2025
Grandfather got what he deserved. And I stand by that
March 1, 2024
Felicity’s grandfather dies and I’m still not doing great with a similar family loss so my little brain got very sad.
However, I did realise while reading these that they’re supposed to probably be slave owners and it’s never mentioned. The only time someone’s status is mentioned is when they specifically mentioned their friend Isaac is a ‘Freed black’…which therefore implies that the other servants we’ve met maybe are just slaves and we didn’t say as much. Their family own a plantation…
It’s weird that in Kirsten they acknowledged the racism towards indigenous peoples and that was 1986 but these books were 1991.
Also having now read two complete series it’s weird that everyone starts with two siblings and then gets a baby sibling around book 4/5. I wonder if this will stay a trend or not. I’m enjoying reading these series though, and I think the absence of the historical context bit at the end is a massive shame. I just think Felicity was a little bit of a miss overall and she could have just been a horse girl and I would have been happy.
However, I did realise while reading these that they’re supposed to probably be slave owners and it’s never mentioned. The only time someone’s status is mentioned is when they specifically mentioned their friend Isaac is a ‘Freed black’…which therefore implies that the other servants we’ve met maybe are just slaves and we didn’t say as much. Their family own a plantation…
It’s weird that in Kirsten they acknowledged the racism towards indigenous peoples and that was 1986 but these books were 1991.
Also having now read two complete series it’s weird that everyone starts with two siblings and then gets a baby sibling around book 4/5. I wonder if this will stay a trend or not. I’m enjoying reading these series though, and I think the absence of the historical context bit at the end is a massive shame. I just think Felicity was a little bit of a miss overall and she could have just been a horse girl and I would have been happy.
January 10, 2024
I think this is my favorite of all the original Felicity books. I like how Felicity helps out Jiggy Nye and they forgive each other and are able to be on good terms. I also like how Felicity's grandfather helps get Mr. Cole out of jail. Yikes that there was not as much freedom of speech back then! I think this book is on the darker side, however, I really appreciate how the author handled the death of Felicity's grandfather. I almost cried thinking of how I felt and still feel the loss of my grandmother.
February 15, 2026
The last in the series and it feels very full circle with themes of death, new life, grief, forgiveness and reconciliation, friendship… a lot to unpack in a short book. Above all, I loved seeing Felicity’s arc. She truly grows over the course of the series and blossoms into an incredible young woman.
Still have many questions regarding the plantation after grandfather’s death and the role of Marcus (is he an enslaved person?)…
Still have many questions regarding the plantation after grandfather’s death and the role of Marcus (is he an enslaved person?)…
November 5, 2024
both of my grandfathers have passed away so im ethically in the clear to say 'rip bozo'
July 10, 2025
The sixth and final book of the original Felicity series by Valerie Tripp, Changes for Felicity marks a return to the excellent quality of writing from the first three books in the series. Even as an adult, I was surprised by the sadness of this book, especially its bittersweet ending, and by how well Tripp handled topics like grief, forgiveness, and political injustice. As usual, the Felicity series is a premiere example of historical fiction for kids, and the series thankfully ends on a really insightful, mature note.
In January 1776, tensions in Williamsburg are at an all-time high, with militia activity increasing and Loyalists being jailed for their political beliefs. Ten-year-old Felicity Merriman learns for the first time how dangerous the war is becoming to her own family and friends as her best friend Elizabeth Cole’s father is imprisoned for being a Loyalist. Her conflicting feelings over Jiggy Nye, the cruel man who abused Felicity’s horse Penny but who now is dying alone in a prison cell, force Felicity to make choices that go beyond her own resentment, especially after she learns that Penny is expecting her first foal. However, more painful changes for Felicity are on the horizon, and she must learn that change, while difficult, is always worth the new joy it brings.
We’ve skipped ahead nearly six months from the previous book, Felicity Saves the Day, to a time when the rising heat of the American Revolution is reaching its zenith: 1776, the year the colonies will declare independence and the war will actually begin. Edmund Pendleton and the Committee of Safety have replaced Governor Dunmore in ruling Williamsburg, and unfortunately some Patriots have turned to injustice and fearmongering. Changes for Felicity highlights the struggle between the Patriots and the Loyalists like never before, as Mr. Cole, a peaceful man who has shown reluctance to support Dunmore’s dealings, is unjustly jailed for his political beliefs; this strains Felicity and Elizabeth’s friendship, though I love that Tripp kept either girl from ever being at odds with the other. Tripp does a great job of depicting the heightening danger in Williamsburg, especially in the surprisingly bleak final chapter. Felicity’s story ends with some uncertainty — there’s a long war ahead, and Williamsburg will be hit hard — but Tripp mingles that uncertainty with hope and courage, a perfect end to the Felicity series.
As the title would imply, Changes for Felicity shows a lot of changes not only in Williamsburg but in the lives of our characters. Penny is expecting her first foal, and the birth of the colt Patriot parallels the new addition to Felicity’s family: baby sister Polly, who doesn’t add a lot to the story but is sweet nonetheless. Because of Penny and Patriot, Felicity fears the wrath of Jiggy Nye, but life has changed for him, too: he’s been rotting in a cell for months, unable to pay his debts and unpitied by anyone in the community. Despite her family’s troubles, it’s actually Elizabeth who takes pity on Nye and convinces Felicity to help him; Felicity shows a lot of resentment and anger toward Nye, but I loved Tripp’s theme of kindness coming full circle — Felicity helped Penny, Grandfather helped Felicity get Penny back, Felicity and Grandfather helped Jiggy Nye, and finally Jiggy Nye helps Felicity and Penny, against all odds. We haven’t seen him since Meet Felicity, but Nye’s tragic backstory helps us have some sympathy for him; Tripp does a great job illustrating the point that sometimes you have to extend kindness to someone in order to help them get past their own cruelty. It’s nice to see the forgiveness and trust between him and Felicity as he agrees to help her in time of need.
Felicity’s Grandfather returns and again shows that, despite his strong Loyalist leanings, he has learned some temperance in expressing his political opinions. His strength in Changes for Felicity is especially well done as he not only bargains for Mr. Cole’s freedom but also arranges for Jiggy Nye to be paid in full for Penny and pay off his debt to get out of prison. This book is honestly the first in which I’ve found Grandfather to be really well developed by Tripp (despite his unfortunate habit of, you know, owning slaves), and his gradual decline in health after saving two people from death in prison is pretty impactful.
Most of all, in Changes for Felicity we see the changes in Felicity as a character. For the first time, she is put into situations where she can’t just hop on her horse and save the day — Instead, Tripp teaches girls that they can deal with events beyond their control with grace, courage, and kindness, as Felicity does. We see Felicity’s anger and desire to rise up against injustice, but we also see her increasing maturity and thoughtfulness, which Mrs. Merriman acknowledges in a very sweet scene between her and Felicity. The book ends with Felicity having to make some serious sacrifices but also stepping up to take more responsibility for her family. Tripp teaches so many timeless lessons in this book, like how you have to adapt to change no matter how much you want things to stay the same, and how friendship and love are what make change bearable. (Off topic, but did y’all see Ben kindly comforting Felicity and then literally threatening to kill Jiggy Nye if he hurt Felicity or Penny? I don’t know about y’all, but I sense an eventual romance.)
Despite being another winter story, Changes for Felicity is not a Christmas story like Felicity’s Surprise; instead, it uses its bleak landscape and sad tone to highlight the harsher parts of the Felicity series and hint at dark days to come — Mr. Cole is forced to leave Williamsburg, Felicity has to say goodbye to her father and Penny, and the Revolutionary War is only just beginning. I love Mr. Merriman’s closing thoughts to Felicity about how the war will be fought by all and won or lost by all, and that it cannot be lost as long as the people are set on independence. Changes for Felicity is an outstanding conclusion to a very good series; it resolves every storyline but leaves room for further adventures as well.
In January 1776, tensions in Williamsburg are at an all-time high, with militia activity increasing and Loyalists being jailed for their political beliefs. Ten-year-old Felicity Merriman learns for the first time how dangerous the war is becoming to her own family and friends as her best friend Elizabeth Cole’s father is imprisoned for being a Loyalist. Her conflicting feelings over Jiggy Nye, the cruel man who abused Felicity’s horse Penny but who now is dying alone in a prison cell, force Felicity to make choices that go beyond her own resentment, especially after she learns that Penny is expecting her first foal. However, more painful changes for Felicity are on the horizon, and she must learn that change, while difficult, is always worth the new joy it brings.
We’ve skipped ahead nearly six months from the previous book, Felicity Saves the Day, to a time when the rising heat of the American Revolution is reaching its zenith: 1776, the year the colonies will declare independence and the war will actually begin. Edmund Pendleton and the Committee of Safety have replaced Governor Dunmore in ruling Williamsburg, and unfortunately some Patriots have turned to injustice and fearmongering. Changes for Felicity highlights the struggle between the Patriots and the Loyalists like never before, as Mr. Cole, a peaceful man who has shown reluctance to support Dunmore’s dealings, is unjustly jailed for his political beliefs; this strains Felicity and Elizabeth’s friendship, though I love that Tripp kept either girl from ever being at odds with the other. Tripp does a great job of depicting the heightening danger in Williamsburg, especially in the surprisingly bleak final chapter. Felicity’s story ends with some uncertainty — there’s a long war ahead, and Williamsburg will be hit hard — but Tripp mingles that uncertainty with hope and courage, a perfect end to the Felicity series.
As the title would imply, Changes for Felicity shows a lot of changes not only in Williamsburg but in the lives of our characters. Penny is expecting her first foal, and the birth of the colt Patriot parallels the new addition to Felicity’s family: baby sister Polly, who doesn’t add a lot to the story but is sweet nonetheless. Because of Penny and Patriot, Felicity fears the wrath of Jiggy Nye, but life has changed for him, too: he’s been rotting in a cell for months, unable to pay his debts and unpitied by anyone in the community. Despite her family’s troubles, it’s actually Elizabeth who takes pity on Nye and convinces Felicity to help him; Felicity shows a lot of resentment and anger toward Nye, but I loved Tripp’s theme of kindness coming full circle — Felicity helped Penny, Grandfather helped Felicity get Penny back, Felicity and Grandfather helped Jiggy Nye, and finally Jiggy Nye helps Felicity and Penny, against all odds. We haven’t seen him since Meet Felicity, but Nye’s tragic backstory helps us have some sympathy for him; Tripp does a great job illustrating the point that sometimes you have to extend kindness to someone in order to help them get past their own cruelty. It’s nice to see the forgiveness and trust between him and Felicity as he agrees to help her in time of need.
Felicity’s Grandfather returns and again shows that, despite his strong Loyalist leanings, he has learned some temperance in expressing his political opinions. His strength in Changes for Felicity is especially well done as he not only bargains for Mr. Cole’s freedom but also arranges for Jiggy Nye to be paid in full for Penny and pay off his debt to get out of prison. This book is honestly the first in which I’ve found Grandfather to be really well developed by Tripp (despite his unfortunate habit of, you know, owning slaves), and his gradual decline in health after saving two people from death in prison is pretty impactful.
Most of all, in Changes for Felicity we see the changes in Felicity as a character. For the first time, she is put into situations where she can’t just hop on her horse and save the day — Instead, Tripp teaches girls that they can deal with events beyond their control with grace, courage, and kindness, as Felicity does. We see Felicity’s anger and desire to rise up against injustice, but we also see her increasing maturity and thoughtfulness, which Mrs. Merriman acknowledges in a very sweet scene between her and Felicity. The book ends with Felicity having to make some serious sacrifices but also stepping up to take more responsibility for her family. Tripp teaches so many timeless lessons in this book, like how you have to adapt to change no matter how much you want things to stay the same, and how friendship and love are what make change bearable. (Off topic, but did y’all see Ben kindly comforting Felicity and then literally threatening to kill Jiggy Nye if he hurt Felicity or Penny? I don’t know about y’all, but I sense an eventual romance.)
Despite being another winter story, Changes for Felicity is not a Christmas story like Felicity’s Surprise; instead, it uses its bleak landscape and sad tone to highlight the harsher parts of the Felicity series and hint at dark days to come — Mr. Cole is forced to leave Williamsburg, Felicity has to say goodbye to her father and Penny, and the Revolutionary War is only just beginning. I love Mr. Merriman’s closing thoughts to Felicity about how the war will be fought by all and won or lost by all, and that it cannot be lost as long as the people are set on independence. Changes for Felicity is an outstanding conclusion to a very good series; it resolves every storyline but leaves room for further adventures as well.
February 8, 2019
The final Felicity did indeed deliver on its name. Felicity had to go through a lot of changes and with war on the horizon it doesn't seem like she will be getting much of a break anytime soon. One thing I really appreciated about this series is how it portrays daily life during the lead up to the American Revolution. History books deal a lot with this time period but it mostly digs into the political tensions, but through Felicity we see the human side.
Overall this is a great series for kids that like history, but still just want a story about a young girls adventures.
Overall this is a great series for kids that like history, but still just want a story about a young girls adventures.
February 14, 2011
There has been a lot of changes in the Merriamans family. Felicities mother has had a baby and named her Polly. Jiggy Nye is in jail, Elizebeths dad has been taken to jail. And two very unexpected suprises have happened. This is a very wonderful book.
March 24, 2012
I liked how the story wrapped up. The "bad guy" got another chance and so did Felicity. Very redeeming in relation to the other Felicity books.
October 20, 2022
I am continuing my re-read of Felicity's books, one of my favorite series from childhood, while I listen to the American Girls podcast. As a kid I always hated reading the last book in an American Girl character's story. For one, the title "Changes for Felicity" (or Josefina, Kaya, Kirsten, etc) sounds so ominous to me. And there is just something sad about them; we as a reader have been present for an entire year of these character's lives and these books signify the end of our window into the character's world. Changes for Felicity is particuarly bittersweet, which didn't help my sad feeling about the book.
This story starts off with happy news. Felicity's beloved horse Penny apparently sowed some wild oats during her brief stint of freedom between books 1 and 4, and is expecting a foal. While running errands for her father's store, Felicity and Elizabeth stop by the Williamsburg jail, where they see that Jiggy Nye - the villain who abused Penny in Meet Felicity - is incarcerated for an unpaid debt and is very ill. Elizabeth convinces Felicity that they should bring Jiggy Nye medicine and blankets, in hopes that he will not bother Felicity about Penny when he is out of jail. Soon after that, Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a Loyalist. Felicity's Grandfather, who is visiting Williamsburg and also feeling under the weather, is outraged by this news and takes matters into his own hands, personally going to Committee of Safety and negotiating Mr. Cole's release. However, this day of running around Williamsburg in the icy January weather exasperates Grandfather's illness, and he tragically passes away not long afterwards. Some time later after Grandfather's funeral, Penny goes into labor while Felicity's father and their slave Marcus (the two people in the family most experienced with horses) are out of town putting Grandfather's affairs in orders, leaving only Felicity, Ben, and Mrs. Merriman to help Penny. When Penny starts having labor complications Felicity turns to an unlikely friend, Jiggy Nye. It turns out that in a random act of kindness, Grandfather payed off Jiggy Nye's debts that day he was helping Mr. Cole get out of jail, and Jiggy Nye remembers this kind act of Grandfather's as well as Felicity and Elizabeth's kind act of bringing him blankets and medicine in jail. Jiggy Nye helps Penny give birth to a healthy colt, Patriot. The book ends with some optimistic changes - Felicity will get to help Ben in the store more often as Mr. Merriman starts a new role as a commissary agent gathering supplies for the Patriot army, and that although Mr. Cole has to move to New York City for his safety, Felicity's best friend Elizabeth will get to stay in Williamsburg with her mother and sister.
The death of Felicity's grandfather was really heartbreaking to me. I thought his sweet relationship with Felicity was a highlight in this series. The loss of her Grandfather brings Felicity's fear of change and the instability of life to the forefront. She and her mother share a very heartfelt talk about facing change with courage and hope, and embracing the happy changes in life. I felt like this book had kind of a "circle of life" theme going on, with the tragic loss of Felicity's Grandfather being mirrored with the joy and endless possibilities of a new life entering the world, as seen by Felicity's new baby sister and Patriot.
I really was not expecting the Jiggy Nye redemption arc in this story. I thought he was a pretty cut-and-dry villain in Meet Felicity - especially from a child's perspective. However, I really enjoyed his redemption arc and thought that it had a very good message. In this story we learn that Jiggy Nye used to be a well-liked citizen of Williamsburg and respected by everyone for his knowledge of animals and livestock, but his grief over the death of his wife led him down a path of alcoholism which eventually turned him into the cruel pariah we met in Book 1. However, the selfless acts by Grandfather, Elizabeth, and Felicity while he was in jail make Jiggy Nye realize he is not completely alone and friendless in life, and this gives him a new outlook and brings about positive change. I was impressed with Elizabeth in this story particularly for showing so much empathy toward Jiggy Nye and convincing Felicity to show him kindness rather than make him her life-long enemy. Somehow, we unfortunately went from this kind-hearted, sensible Elizabeth to the "It's Just a Prank, Bro" Elizabeth of Very Funny, Elizabeth.
This was a bittersweet end to the Felicity stories. This particular book doesn't really feel like it's own stand-alone entry in the Felicity series, but rather as a conclusion to the series as a whole. Overall, I think that these books were very well done. They made excellent use of the 6 book format. As I have said in my other Felicity reviews, I really think that the pacing of the Revolutionary War history is done well in these books. Also, we see a lot of personal growth for Felicity in her own character arc in the course of these stories - something Mrs. Merriman actually brings up in this book. While the book ends on a positive note, it feels like these books end right when Felicity's "real" story is about to begin. The Revolutionary War would go on until Felicity is about 16, and I can't help but wonder what would happen to her family and friends if these stories continued into the Revolutionary War. I guess I will continue to be an old woman shaking my fist at clouds demanding the gritty YA reboot of Felicity's Revolutionary War story.
This story starts off with happy news. Felicity's beloved horse Penny apparently sowed some wild oats during her brief stint of freedom between books 1 and 4, and is expecting a foal. While running errands for her father's store, Felicity and Elizabeth stop by the Williamsburg jail, where they see that Jiggy Nye - the villain who abused Penny in Meet Felicity - is incarcerated for an unpaid debt and is very ill. Elizabeth convinces Felicity that they should bring Jiggy Nye medicine and blankets, in hopes that he will not bother Felicity about Penny when he is out of jail. Soon after that, Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a Loyalist. Felicity's Grandfather, who is visiting Williamsburg and also feeling under the weather, is outraged by this news and takes matters into his own hands, personally going to Committee of Safety and negotiating Mr. Cole's release. However, this day of running around Williamsburg in the icy January weather exasperates Grandfather's illness, and he tragically passes away not long afterwards. Some time later after Grandfather's funeral, Penny goes into labor while Felicity's father and their slave Marcus (the two people in the family most experienced with horses) are out of town putting Grandfather's affairs in orders, leaving only Felicity, Ben, and Mrs. Merriman to help Penny. When Penny starts having labor complications Felicity turns to an unlikely friend, Jiggy Nye. It turns out that in a random act of kindness, Grandfather payed off Jiggy Nye's debts that day he was helping Mr. Cole get out of jail, and Jiggy Nye remembers this kind act of Grandfather's as well as Felicity and Elizabeth's kind act of bringing him blankets and medicine in jail. Jiggy Nye helps Penny give birth to a healthy colt, Patriot. The book ends with some optimistic changes - Felicity will get to help Ben in the store more often as Mr. Merriman starts a new role as a commissary agent gathering supplies for the Patriot army, and that although Mr. Cole has to move to New York City for his safety, Felicity's best friend Elizabeth will get to stay in Williamsburg with her mother and sister.
The death of Felicity's grandfather was really heartbreaking to me. I thought his sweet relationship with Felicity was a highlight in this series. The loss of her Grandfather brings Felicity's fear of change and the instability of life to the forefront. She and her mother share a very heartfelt talk about facing change with courage and hope, and embracing the happy changes in life. I felt like this book had kind of a "circle of life" theme going on, with the tragic loss of Felicity's Grandfather being mirrored with the joy and endless possibilities of a new life entering the world, as seen by Felicity's new baby sister and Patriot.
I really was not expecting the Jiggy Nye redemption arc in this story. I thought he was a pretty cut-and-dry villain in Meet Felicity - especially from a child's perspective. However, I really enjoyed his redemption arc and thought that it had a very good message. In this story we learn that Jiggy Nye used to be a well-liked citizen of Williamsburg and respected by everyone for his knowledge of animals and livestock, but his grief over the death of his wife led him down a path of alcoholism which eventually turned him into the cruel pariah we met in Book 1. However, the selfless acts by Grandfather, Elizabeth, and Felicity while he was in jail make Jiggy Nye realize he is not completely alone and friendless in life, and this gives him a new outlook and brings about positive change. I was impressed with Elizabeth in this story particularly for showing so much empathy toward Jiggy Nye and convincing Felicity to show him kindness rather than make him her life-long enemy. Somehow, we unfortunately went from this kind-hearted, sensible Elizabeth to the "It's Just a Prank, Bro" Elizabeth of Very Funny, Elizabeth.
This was a bittersweet end to the Felicity stories. This particular book doesn't really feel like it's own stand-alone entry in the Felicity series, but rather as a conclusion to the series as a whole. Overall, I think that these books were very well done. They made excellent use of the 6 book format. As I have said in my other Felicity reviews, I really think that the pacing of the Revolutionary War history is done well in these books. Also, we see a lot of personal growth for Felicity in her own character arc in the course of these stories - something Mrs. Merriman actually brings up in this book. While the book ends on a positive note, it feels like these books end right when Felicity's "real" story is about to begin. The Revolutionary War would go on until Felicity is about 16, and I can't help but wonder what would happen to her family and friends if these stories continued into the Revolutionary War. I guess I will continue to be an old woman shaking my fist at clouds demanding the gritty YA reboot of Felicity's Revolutionary War story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2020
This is the sixth book (and final, in the original publications of the story [not counting the spin - offs that I am totally going to read also]) in the “Felicity: An American Girl” series. I am reading the series to participate in the “American Girls” podcast with Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney.
I actually don’t have a ton to say about this book, surprisingly. In “Changes For Felicity”, it sort of felt like a lot didn’t change and, at the same time, a lot did. Compared to the first book in the series, I genuinely feel like Felicity has changed a lot. She’s grown to be less disobedient and careful with her actions, but, passed that, her life has also changed a lot in Williamsburg with war approaching (which I expected to be more focused on in this book and it wasn’t [why I said a lot didn’t change]) and with her personal life too, with her family (which changed a ton due to the death of Felicity’s grandfather). Although I don’t agree with a lot of her grandfather’s opinions (enslaving people and his opinion of supporting the King as a Loyalist), I was genuinely saddened by Felicity‘s grandfather passing away. It reminded me a lot of my own grandfather who passed away in my childhood, where I was only a couple years older than Felicity. Like Felicity‘s grandfather, he had strong opinions that I didn’t always agree with (specifically coming from the era of the Great Depression, living and fighting through WWII, et cetera), but also he was a man I looked up to, nonetheless, like Felicity. He was a man loved by many and did a lot of good for his family/town. I really felt for what Felicity was going through in the final chapters of this book. Similar things I had also experienced, where certain acts made my body ache in memory. For Felicity, it’s riding her beloved horse, Penny. For me, it’s expressing myself creatively through art (drawing, painting, photography) or writing, which were all the same things my grandfather loved to do (and always encouraged me to do). Handling grief, in this book, I felt like Valerie Tripp did a lovely job. Although I felt like Tripp had let down readers in a lot of other aspects of this book series (slavery, specifically), I was happy to see her write about a topic like grief correctly (even though it does not excuse her other misgivings at all). Parents, yet again, I implore you to talk about the things mentioned in this book like death. Talk about death openly and honestly, even if it hurts. My parents always did. Not every conversation was easy, mind you. My parents have always been very frank about what will eventually happen to them, no matter how many tears I shed over it, but, in the long run, these conversations have always helped me and prepared me for whatever will eventually come. With that, I also know that their love for me will always live even if they, themselves, do not. This is a helpful lesson I think everyone should share with their children, no matter how difficult, because you never know when life will strike.
I guess I did actually have a lot to say?
I actually don’t have a ton to say about this book, surprisingly. In “Changes For Felicity”, it sort of felt like a lot didn’t change and, at the same time, a lot did. Compared to the first book in the series, I genuinely feel like Felicity has changed a lot. She’s grown to be less disobedient and careful with her actions, but, passed that, her life has also changed a lot in Williamsburg with war approaching (which I expected to be more focused on in this book and it wasn’t [why I said a lot didn’t change]) and with her personal life too, with her family (which changed a ton due to the death of Felicity’s grandfather). Although I don’t agree with a lot of her grandfather’s opinions (enslaving people and his opinion of supporting the King as a Loyalist), I was genuinely saddened by Felicity‘s grandfather passing away. It reminded me a lot of my own grandfather who passed away in my childhood, where I was only a couple years older than Felicity. Like Felicity‘s grandfather, he had strong opinions that I didn’t always agree with (specifically coming from the era of the Great Depression, living and fighting through WWII, et cetera), but also he was a man I looked up to, nonetheless, like Felicity. He was a man loved by many and did a lot of good for his family/town. I really felt for what Felicity was going through in the final chapters of this book. Similar things I had also experienced, where certain acts made my body ache in memory. For Felicity, it’s riding her beloved horse, Penny. For me, it’s expressing myself creatively through art (drawing, painting, photography) or writing, which were all the same things my grandfather loved to do (and always encouraged me to do). Handling grief, in this book, I felt like Valerie Tripp did a lovely job. Although I felt like Tripp had let down readers in a lot of other aspects of this book series (slavery, specifically), I was happy to see her write about a topic like grief correctly (even though it does not excuse her other misgivings at all). Parents, yet again, I implore you to talk about the things mentioned in this book like death. Talk about death openly and honestly, even if it hurts. My parents always did. Not every conversation was easy, mind you. My parents have always been very frank about what will eventually happen to them, no matter how many tears I shed over it, but, in the long run, these conversations have always helped me and prepared me for whatever will eventually come. With that, I also know that their love for me will always live even if they, themselves, do not. This is a helpful lesson I think everyone should share with their children, no matter how difficult, because you never know when life will strike.
I guess I did actually have a lot to say?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2022
For the most part this is better than the last one. It's a satisfying wrap-up for most of the characters, with just enough changes to warrant the title, but enough similarities to feel familiar: all the important characters are there in a meaningful way: Felicity's family, Elizabeth, Ben, Penny, Grandfather, and even Jiggy Nye. They all have a decently significant role without overburdening the plot. The return/redemption of Jiggy Nye was a nice surprise, especially since it wasn't overly sentimental.
HOWEVER. There's this whole thing where Felicity's grandfather (a slave owner) dies and we're meant to be sad about it? And then her family inherits his plantation (meaning they are now also slave owners, even if they weren't before, which I'm pretty sure they were because of Rose) which is just.................. not addressed at all. And that absolutely flabbergasts me. I mean, obviously my choice would be for the book to address slavery in a meaningful way (and not make slave owners look sympathetic). But if they felt this wasn't the place to do that, and if they didn't want to address slavery in this series, then they probably should have, you know, not set one of the instalments on a plantation and made the main characters slave owners. Slavery has no impact on the story, so why include it only to gloss over it? They could have told the same story with minimal changes if the characters had some other profession that didn't require owning PEOPLE, and it would fix the weird disconnect between the story's theme of freedom and its setting. They had 3 options here: 1) have Felicity rebel against the idea of slavery because it goes against her whole ethos as a person (my choice, and what I would think is the obvious choice because like, they made Felicity like that. They did that. That was a choice they made. And yet. AND YET!), 2) include slavery but never discuss the morality of it at all (their choice), or 3) not mention slavery at all (still a crappy option but not as bad as what they actually did).
Ugh. Whatever. I'm glad this part of my AG reread is over and I can move onto a different girl's story.
HOWEVER. There's this whole thing where Felicity's grandfather (a slave owner) dies and we're meant to be sad about it? And then her family inherits his plantation (meaning they are now also slave owners, even if they weren't before, which I'm pretty sure they were because of Rose) which is just.................. not addressed at all. And that absolutely flabbergasts me. I mean, obviously my choice would be for the book to address slavery in a meaningful way (and not make slave owners look sympathetic). But if they felt this wasn't the place to do that, and if they didn't want to address slavery in this series, then they probably should have, you know, not set one of the instalments on a plantation and made the main characters slave owners. Slavery has no impact on the story, so why include it only to gloss over it? They could have told the same story with minimal changes if the characters had some other profession that didn't require owning PEOPLE, and it would fix the weird disconnect between the story's theme of freedom and its setting. They had 3 options here: 1) have Felicity rebel against the idea of slavery because it goes against her whole ethos as a person (my choice, and what I would think is the obvious choice because like, they made Felicity like that. They did that. That was a choice they made. And yet. AND YET!), 2) include slavery but never discuss the morality of it at all (their choice), or 3) not mention slavery at all (still a crappy option but not as bad as what they actually did).
Ugh. Whatever. I'm glad this part of my AG reread is over and I can move onto a different girl's story.
April 6, 2022
Another great Felicity book. We have really loved this series. It's especially great the length of the books. Easy to read within a week. This story line was especially good. I loved the part where Elizabeth and Felicity found out that Mr. Jiggy Nye was in jail for debt he couldn't pay. When they saw him there, he was very sick, close to dying. Elizabeth suggested they give him medicine and a blanket to help him get well. Felicity did not want to do that given that he had been so hateful to her and abused Penny, the horse. But Elizabeth kindly explained to Felicity that sometimes kindness is all a person needs to change from mean to nice. It turns out that Mr. Nye had been a good person, but his wife died and he started drinking and became a very mean and bitter man. Felicity dropped off a basket of medicine and a blanket for him (anonomously). And later, her dear grandfather, while at the jail helping to get Elizabeth's dad, Mr. Cole, released from jail, he gave money to Mr. Nye to pay for Penny (even though he had actually bought Penny from the man who found her in the woods). With that money from Grandfather, Mr. Nye was able to pay his debt and get out of jail. Later on, when Penny was having trouble birthing her foal, Felicity ran to get Mr. Nye to help and he saved Penny and her foal and he knew that it was Felicity and her grandfather that had helped him while he was in jail. What a wonderful story and life lesson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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