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American Girl: Josefina #2
Josefina Learns A Lesson
Josefina and her sisters distrust learning to read and write, as well as other changes their Tia Dolores is bringing to the household, because they fear they will lose their memories of their mother. This description may be from another edition of this product.
67 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
22 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
274 books452 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 99 reviews
December 16, 2025
Book two is very sweet too! Oh my heart each time the daughters repeat one of their (late) mother's favorite phrases, songs, or prayers. 💙
Book #1 and this book (not sure about the rest of the series), surprisingly has incredibly realistic grief content that I think would be appropriate for a middle schooler ~ especially if that middle schooler has grief also.
I feel it also deals very well with realistic feelings among siblings.
Bravo.
Book #1 and this book (not sure about the rest of the series), surprisingly has incredibly realistic grief content that I think would be appropriate for a middle schooler ~ especially if that middle schooler has grief also.
I feel it also deals very well with realistic feelings among siblings.
Bravo.
September 15, 2024
The great AG marathon continues. Reading this as an adult, here's what stands out:
- I love that we see Josefina finishing her Christmas dress at the beginning of this. I think that's the first time where a dress that corresponds to one book turns up in another book. The merry scene here with her sisters is so sweet.
- Heck yeah, it's Tía Dolores (back to stay, as arranged in Meet) with an innovative solution.
- The sisters' reaction to how Tía Dolores interacts with their father, compared to the relationship between their mother and father is... a little tough. One the one hand, yes: this culture, this era, the patriarchy. There are some deeply ingrained cultural norms at play. But for their reaction to be so strong, I can't help thinking that Papá can be a bit of a bear when he's upset, for all that he always seems gentle and kind here.
- This book introduces Teresita, a Native woman who works for Tía Dolores. She teaches Josefina to weave using an upright loom since Josefina is still too small to work the big loom her sisters use. She describes herself as Navajo, which led me in this circle: (A) It would have been nice for AG to use the name the Navajo use for themselves, which is Diné, just as the Kaya books would later use Nimíipuu for her people. (B) "Navajo" is the name given to the Diné by the Spanish (thus the "j"), so given how long she has lived with Spanish people, and specifically speaking to Josefina, yes, Teresita probably would say Navajo.
- Teresita and Josefina bond over both losing their mothers as young girls. BUT the situations are vastly different - Teresita was ripped away from her entire family and culture and what exactly are the conditions of her employment with Tía Dolores, hmm? Unclear...
- Francisca starts to feel a little caricature-ish. We get the point, she would like to be a lady of leisure. But I like that some of her resistance here stems from the feeling that by learning new things and changing how they do things, they are losing a bit of their mother - that feels earnest. The solution is found at what feels like lightening speed, but all the same, Tía Dolores comes up with just what the sisters need.
More Josefina babble
Meet Josefina | Josefina Learns a Lesson | Josefina’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Josefina | Josefina Saves the Day | Changes for Josefina
A Reward for Josefina | Again, Josefina! | Josefina’s Song | Just Josefina | Thanks to Josefina | Josefina’s Short Story Collection
Secrets in the Hills | The Glowing Hearts
- I love that we see Josefina finishing her Christmas dress at the beginning of this. I think that's the first time where a dress that corresponds to one book turns up in another book. The merry scene here with her sisters is so sweet.
- Heck yeah, it's Tía Dolores (back to stay, as arranged in Meet) with an innovative solution.
- The sisters' reaction to how Tía Dolores interacts with their father, compared to the relationship between their mother and father is... a little tough. One the one hand, yes: this culture, this era, the patriarchy. There are some deeply ingrained cultural norms at play. But for their reaction to be so strong, I can't help thinking that Papá can be a bit of a bear when he's upset, for all that he always seems gentle and kind here.
- This book introduces Teresita, a Native woman who works for Tía Dolores. She teaches Josefina to weave using an upright loom since Josefina is still too small to work the big loom her sisters use. She describes herself as Navajo, which led me in this circle: (A) It would have been nice for AG to use the name the Navajo use for themselves, which is Diné, just as the Kaya books would later use Nimíipuu for her people. (B) "Navajo" is the name given to the Diné by the Spanish (thus the "j"), so given how long she has lived with Spanish people, and specifically speaking to Josefina, yes, Teresita probably would say Navajo.
- Teresita and Josefina bond over both losing their mothers as young girls. BUT the situations are vastly different - Teresita was ripped away from her entire family and culture and what exactly are the conditions of her employment with Tía Dolores, hmm? Unclear...
- Francisca starts to feel a little caricature-ish. We get the point, she would like to be a lady of leisure. But I like that some of her resistance here stems from the feeling that by learning new things and changing how they do things, they are losing a bit of their mother - that feels earnest. The solution is found at what feels like lightening speed, but all the same, Tía Dolores comes up with just what the sisters need.
More Josefina babble
Meet Josefina | Josefina Learns a Lesson | Josefina’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Josefina | Josefina Saves the Day | Changes for Josefina
A Reward for Josefina | Again, Josefina! | Josefina’s Song | Just Josefina | Thanks to Josefina | Josefina’s Short Story Collection
Secrets in the Hills | The Glowing Hearts
March 4, 2025
This was such a sweet book! It somewhat broke the formula for the Lesson books (which are usually about peer relationships outside the family), but that wasn't a bad thing. I love watching the whole family dealing with and processing their grief. And the faith content was really surprising, in a good way!
January 21, 2022
I love how the family pulls together in this book to help each other! Josefina is the dearest little girl, and though she doesn’t always make the best choices, she is surrounded by a loving family. Tia Dolores’ wisdom was fun to see here, as she led and directed the girls in the work they had to do. Another fun book in the series. Perfect for the 8-12 age range; I found my attention lagging somewhat by the time we got to the end of this one, but I’m sure we’ll manage to get in all the other books eventually.
August 10, 2018
Another wonderful reread from childhood!
June 30, 2023
Just read this with the 3rd graders and seeing it from their perspective made the lessons much clearer. Cute story!
November 18, 2024
me when there's grief at the function :thumbsup:
November 13, 2019
2.5 stars
This story had a bit more excitement then the first one, but also had some good parts about working together to accomplish things. In this story Josefina’s sister, Francisca, must face the fact that life and changes happen but that isn’t a bad thing. One thing that bugged me is that Ana never seems to actually be a mother or have a husband. Her little boys are mentioned, but not her husband.
I like the “A Peek into the Past” at the back of each book with photographs, and drawings about real life back then.
This was a fun, light read, but I probably won’t be reading it again unless it’s in another dozen years or so for fun.
This story had a bit more excitement then the first one, but also had some good parts about working together to accomplish things. In this story Josefina’s sister, Francisca, must face the fact that life and changes happen but that isn’t a bad thing. One thing that bugged me is that Ana never seems to actually be a mother or have a husband. Her little boys are mentioned, but not her husband.
I like the “A Peek into the Past” at the back of each book with photographs, and drawings about real life back then.
This was a fun, light read, but I probably won’t be reading it again unless it’s in another dozen years or so for fun.
June 11, 2017
It's surprising that an American Girl series can fall apart so quickly. My daughter and I lost interest in this piece quicker than Donald Trumps wives after they say, "I do". Like her father, Betty is not afraid to read 7 books at once but this one was so boring it went to the back of the queue behind Stuart Little, who lives with his yuman parents. And this is harder to believe than Donald Trump's opinion on Islam after he commits treason selling military secrets to Saudi Arabia whom he claimed caused 9/11 and were behind Isis for years while maniacally tween tweet-chiding the Clintons at 3:00am.
September 30, 2025
This was another cute American Girl book! I like how it had a Spanish English dictionary at the beginning of the book and it used some Spanish throughout the book. That is a nice introduction to Spanish for young girls. I also love the fact the dolls have full backstories and can help add to the ply and imagination.
December 19, 2025
Josefina is my comfort doll and I was so happy when I was able to buy more of her books (they are hard to come by over here). It's been a few years since I read her first book, back then my mum was still alive and now she isn't just like Josefina's mother. I sadly understand her more now. I think this was a cute read.
October 14, 2022
This feels more like a series compared to the usual one-shot stories.
January 3, 2026
Good!
A sweet story about learning new things, holding on to cherished memories, and how the two can go hand-in-hand.
A sweet story about learning new things, holding on to cherished memories, and how the two can go hand-in-hand.
December 21, 2011
i feel bad giving these books such low reviews. i rated the julie books low in part because i disliked the character so much & because i think presenting the 1970s as a historical era is kind of bizarre & insulting. i like josefina & i think her era of 1820s new mexico is genuinely interesting. or at least, it has the potential for interest. my problem with the josefina books is that that potential is never really realized.
all of the historical characters have a "school book" about the education available to them in their historical moment. because josefina lives on a rancho outside town & pretty much never leaves it, she doesn't really have an education. she & her three older sisters are all illiterate. their aunt dolores can read & write, & she impresses them by showing them the letter their father wrote to their mother, proposing marriage. they respond with interest, & dolores asks their father if she may teach them to read & write. he agrees to allow it if they are interested. josefina spends a chapter wondering if learning to read & write would be a betrayal of her mother, who never learned to read or write (her father read the marriage proposal letter out loud to her). josefina is worried that learning to read & write will make her forget more of her mother's words. when she shares her concern with dolores, dolores shows josefina a book she started keeping when she moved to mexico city. it is full of poems, songs, & sayings that josefina's mother liked. dolores explains that if josefina becomes literate, she will be able write down & reread memories of her mother & keep them close to her in yet another way. that seals the deal & josefina agrees to lessons at the end of the book. but there's nothing in here about how the lessons are conducted.
i think this is also the book where a big storm happens. it causes flash flooding & hundreds of the rancho's sheep are killed. mr. montoya is pretty distraught because it took decades to build up the flock. he doesn't know how the rancho will recover. dolores saves the day by observing that they have a lot of wool left over from the last shearing. she suggests teaching the girls how to weave & everyone working their asses off to weave as many blankets as possible to trade with the nearby pueblo indians for more sheep. josefina's vain sister francisca isn't pumped about this because she thinks they already have enough chores on the rancho, but eventually everyone agrees to the plan. josefina enjoys learning how to weave.
i wish i was more into these books.
all of the historical characters have a "school book" about the education available to them in their historical moment. because josefina lives on a rancho outside town & pretty much never leaves it, she doesn't really have an education. she & her three older sisters are all illiterate. their aunt dolores can read & write, & she impresses them by showing them the letter their father wrote to their mother, proposing marriage. they respond with interest, & dolores asks their father if she may teach them to read & write. he agrees to allow it if they are interested. josefina spends a chapter wondering if learning to read & write would be a betrayal of her mother, who never learned to read or write (her father read the marriage proposal letter out loud to her). josefina is worried that learning to read & write will make her forget more of her mother's words. when she shares her concern with dolores, dolores shows josefina a book she started keeping when she moved to mexico city. it is full of poems, songs, & sayings that josefina's mother liked. dolores explains that if josefina becomes literate, she will be able write down & reread memories of her mother & keep them close to her in yet another way. that seals the deal & josefina agrees to lessons at the end of the book. but there's nothing in here about how the lessons are conducted.
i think this is also the book where a big storm happens. it causes flash flooding & hundreds of the rancho's sheep are killed. mr. montoya is pretty distraught because it took decades to build up the flock. he doesn't know how the rancho will recover. dolores saves the day by observing that they have a lot of wool left over from the last shearing. she suggests teaching the girls how to weave & everyone working their asses off to weave as many blankets as possible to trade with the nearby pueblo indians for more sheep. josefina's vain sister francisca isn't pumped about this because she thinks they already have enough chores on the rancho, but eventually everyone agrees to the plan. josefina enjoys learning how to weave.
i wish i was more into these books.
May 30, 2019
I loved reading this book, and rest from its series, so that I could re-live the books that made me love to read. ❤️
December 21, 2017
So far this is my favorite of the series! It is not your typical American Girl "Learns a Lesson" school story.
[Spoiler Alert!]
The lesson here was more about learning about how to deal with grief, than it was about activities in the classroom. Josefina and her sisters are dealing with the loss of their mother. They have each other to lean on and hare memories, but each are grieving in their own way. The Montoya girls' maternal aunt has come to stay with them for a bit and help. Josefina sees the changes and wonders what her mama would think; her sister Francesca is less accepting of the changes and bristles at Tia Dolores' suggestions.
If you have a young person in your life who is experiencing a similar loss this might be a great book to help process grief. I lost my dad when I was young and can identify with what Josefina and her sisters are going through trying to hold on to their memories.
[Spoiler Alert!]
The lesson here was more about learning about how to deal with grief, than it was about activities in the classroom. Josefina and her sisters are dealing with the loss of their mother. They have each other to lean on and hare memories, but each are grieving in their own way. The Montoya girls' maternal aunt has come to stay with them for a bit and help. Josefina sees the changes and wonders what her mama would think; her sister Francesca is less accepting of the changes and bristles at Tia Dolores' suggestions.
If you have a young person in your life who is experiencing a similar loss this might be a great book to help process grief. I lost my dad when I was young and can identify with what Josefina and her sisters are going through trying to hold on to their memories.
February 16, 2016
One of the dangers of the time (and still today) is sudden flooding. In New Mexico that's rare, but it does happen and in this case a bad storm comes along and it ends up drowning lots of the family's sheep.
Josefina and the other girls come up with a plan whereby they will make blankets on looms and then give them to their father who will trade the blankets for new sheep, giving them a chance to rebuild their stock.
A second storyline involves one of the girl's feelings towards Tia Dolores and a feeling that she is sort of taking the place of their mother and there's some resentment there. That creates an upsetting situation for Josefina.
There's also an interesting historical section with some information on the concept of being able to read at that time in history.
Josefina and the other girls come up with a plan whereby they will make blankets on looms and then give them to their father who will trade the blankets for new sheep, giving them a chance to rebuild their stock.
A second storyline involves one of the girl's feelings towards Tia Dolores and a feeling that she is sort of taking the place of their mother and there's some resentment there. That creates an upsetting situation for Josefina.
There's also an interesting historical section with some information on the concept of being able to read at that time in history.
June 15, 2025
“Josefina Learns a Lesson: A School Story” by Valerie Tripp was published in 1997 by Pleasant Company. The book has a wonderful set of photographs of book themes done by Jean-Paul Tibbles. The book is volume 2 of the American Girls Collection series published by Pleasant Company. Josefina is a nine-year-old who has 3 sisters. In 1824 all the sisters lived with their father on the family ranch in New Mexico. When Josefina was eight years old, her mother died.
The volume 2 book begins with Josefina’s aunt Tia Delores teaching her nieces how to knit shawls. She also taught them how to repair the clothing they wear. During the sewing sessions aunt Tia Dolores also played music on her piano. The music included many songs Josefina’s mother loved to sing to her daughters. While they were sewing Tia Dolores’ nieces also danced to the piano music their aunt was playing. While these events were occurring, the family’s father told them he was planning to trade his farm products with americanos who live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also said he was worried that bad weather could interrupt the americanos trading trip, but he decided to take the trip because he needed to acquire various farm tools and the americanos wanted his mules. His sister lived along the road to Sante Fe and he also wanted to help her if the storm occurred. A ringing church bell is a warning that bad storms were on the way. The bells began ringing in a church close to the ranch. The family’s father said prayers with his daughters and aunt Dolores, and then he left for his sister Magdalena’s house to help her survive the storm. Delores and ranch workers would look after the family in his absence.
When the violent storm struck the ranch, Delores took Josefina and her siblings outside the home to gather as much food from the ranch garden as possible. She was afraid the storm would destroy their food supply. Carmen, the ranch cook and her husband, Miguel joined them. The food garden was awash in mud and was fast becoming a “river of water.” However, they were able to overcome the flooding and gather many baskets of food. The family father was also able to help his sister Magdalena survive the storm. When he returned home, he learned from his ranch shepherds that over 100 sheep on the ranch drowned from flash floods. Delores told her brother that the sheared sheep wool from last year was in the storage barn. She also told him the family could use the sheered wool to weave many blankets and sell the blankets to americanos to fund the purchase of replacement sheep. Tia Dolores agreed to organize and lead the blanket weaving initiative. Everyone but Josefina’s sister Francisca believed this was an excellent strategy. Francisca was concerned that many including Josefina did not know how to weave. Aunt Dolores said her servant Teresita has a small loom, and she will teach Josefina how to weave using this loom. Josefina was elated!
Teresita was a member of Navajo Nation who was abducted at young age. She was taught by her mother how to weave on the loom using techniques associated with the three pieces on the loom —the upper cross piece is the sky bar, the lower cross piece is called the earth bar, and the stick that goes between the strands of yarn on the loom is called the sunbeam. The earth, sky, and sun are the core pieces or parts of the loom
In the next chapter Josefina and her sisters gather wildflowers, herbs, roots, barks, different leaves, rabbit bush blossoms, and berries that are combined to make different colors of dye for the wool they will use to weave blankets and clothing. The search and gather activity are exciting for them, and they have baskets of picnic treats prepared by Carmen to enjoy on the journey. The joy of weaving, making clothes and blankets, and finding the components for crafting dyes delighted the sisters very much and caused them to bond with their mentor Tia Dolores.
The final chapter discusses how to live the “good life” by learning how to read and how to write. In her ledger Tia Dolores writes the number of wool socks that are made, the number of made blankets, the strands of yarn that are ready for use, and the economic value of the items the family had created. After Francisco learned that she and her sisters would be taught to read and write by Tia Dolores, Francisco became very angry. She told Josefina that she would not take any reading-writing lessons from Dolores. She said it would violate her love for their dead mother, and it would radically change her life in a very complicated way. The next day Josefina told Tia Dolores the angst Francisco has about learning to read and write.
Tia Dolores told Josefina that she has a book related to her mother that she wanted to show her. She showed her a handwritten book of poems that Josefina’s mother loved to tell her children. The poems were written down by Josefina’s father and put in a book he wrote and gifted to his sister Tia Dolores. Tia read the poems to Josefina. When Josefina showed the poetry book to Francisco, they both agreed the poems were wonderful. Francisco changed her mind, and she wanted to be taught the beauty of reading and writing. The book ends with this quote: “Reading is a way to hold on to the past, to travel to places you’ve never been, and to learn about worlds beyond your own time and experiences.” Tia Dolores gave the book to Josefina as a keepsake gift. When Francisco saw the book, her life changed! Tia Dolores taught Josefina how to write her name on the first page of the book she was gifted, and she taught all her nieces how to read and write. (P)
The volume 2 book begins with Josefina’s aunt Tia Delores teaching her nieces how to knit shawls. She also taught them how to repair the clothing they wear. During the sewing sessions aunt Tia Dolores also played music on her piano. The music included many songs Josefina’s mother loved to sing to her daughters. While they were sewing Tia Dolores’ nieces also danced to the piano music their aunt was playing. While these events were occurring, the family’s father told them he was planning to trade his farm products with americanos who live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also said he was worried that bad weather could interrupt the americanos trading trip, but he decided to take the trip because he needed to acquire various farm tools and the americanos wanted his mules. His sister lived along the road to Sante Fe and he also wanted to help her if the storm occurred. A ringing church bell is a warning that bad storms were on the way. The bells began ringing in a church close to the ranch. The family’s father said prayers with his daughters and aunt Dolores, and then he left for his sister Magdalena’s house to help her survive the storm. Delores and ranch workers would look after the family in his absence.
When the violent storm struck the ranch, Delores took Josefina and her siblings outside the home to gather as much food from the ranch garden as possible. She was afraid the storm would destroy their food supply. Carmen, the ranch cook and her husband, Miguel joined them. The food garden was awash in mud and was fast becoming a “river of water.” However, they were able to overcome the flooding and gather many baskets of food. The family father was also able to help his sister Magdalena survive the storm. When he returned home, he learned from his ranch shepherds that over 100 sheep on the ranch drowned from flash floods. Delores told her brother that the sheared sheep wool from last year was in the storage barn. She also told him the family could use the sheered wool to weave many blankets and sell the blankets to americanos to fund the purchase of replacement sheep. Tia Dolores agreed to organize and lead the blanket weaving initiative. Everyone but Josefina’s sister Francisca believed this was an excellent strategy. Francisca was concerned that many including Josefina did not know how to weave. Aunt Dolores said her servant Teresita has a small loom, and she will teach Josefina how to weave using this loom. Josefina was elated!
Teresita was a member of Navajo Nation who was abducted at young age. She was taught by her mother how to weave on the loom using techniques associated with the three pieces on the loom —the upper cross piece is the sky bar, the lower cross piece is called the earth bar, and the stick that goes between the strands of yarn on the loom is called the sunbeam. The earth, sky, and sun are the core pieces or parts of the loom
In the next chapter Josefina and her sisters gather wildflowers, herbs, roots, barks, different leaves, rabbit bush blossoms, and berries that are combined to make different colors of dye for the wool they will use to weave blankets and clothing. The search and gather activity are exciting for them, and they have baskets of picnic treats prepared by Carmen to enjoy on the journey. The joy of weaving, making clothes and blankets, and finding the components for crafting dyes delighted the sisters very much and caused them to bond with their mentor Tia Dolores.
The final chapter discusses how to live the “good life” by learning how to read and how to write. In her ledger Tia Dolores writes the number of wool socks that are made, the number of made blankets, the strands of yarn that are ready for use, and the economic value of the items the family had created. After Francisco learned that she and her sisters would be taught to read and write by Tia Dolores, Francisco became very angry. She told Josefina that she would not take any reading-writing lessons from Dolores. She said it would violate her love for their dead mother, and it would radically change her life in a very complicated way. The next day Josefina told Tia Dolores the angst Francisco has about learning to read and write.
Tia Dolores told Josefina that she has a book related to her mother that she wanted to show her. She showed her a handwritten book of poems that Josefina’s mother loved to tell her children. The poems were written down by Josefina’s father and put in a book he wrote and gifted to his sister Tia Dolores. Tia read the poems to Josefina. When Josefina showed the poetry book to Francisco, they both agreed the poems were wonderful. Francisco changed her mind, and she wanted to be taught the beauty of reading and writing. The book ends with this quote: “Reading is a way to hold on to the past, to travel to places you’ve never been, and to learn about worlds beyond your own time and experiences.” Tia Dolores gave the book to Josefina as a keepsake gift. When Francisco saw the book, her life changed! Tia Dolores taught Josefina how to write her name on the first page of the book she was gifted, and she taught all her nieces how to read and write. (P)
February 20, 2020
I’m starting the American Girls podcast, so I’m rereading my AG books before I listen to the episodes.
This was really sweet. All the changes that Tia Dolores brings, and the worries Francisca has, are really well portrayed.
I really enjoyed Josefina’s learning to weave and what Teresita teaches her.
(Apparently I only have the first two Josefina books?!)
This was really sweet. All the changes that Tia Dolores brings, and the worries Francisca has, are really well portrayed.
I really enjoyed Josefina’s learning to weave and what Teresita teaches her.
(Apparently I only have the first two Josefina books?!)
April 5, 2008
This series is a really good one. I've read more than what's on my list, but I don't feel like going through 40 somewhat pages. LOLS :) They are easy though.
November 14, 2021
Francisca's argument to not learn to read and write does not make sense, and makes the emotional conflict of the story less convincing.
February 19, 2021
I read this book for the podcast I’m currently listening to called “American Girls” by Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney.
Okay... Well, to be honest, I really don't have much to say about "Josefina Learns A Lesson", but I always do little reviews to each of the American Girl books so I felt like I had to write *something*. This is the story about Josefina Montoya and her (semi - new) life on the rancho now that her Tía Dolores has come to live with the family. Tía Dolores is making a lot of changes. The four Montoya sisters are having to do a ton, especially after a bad flood that has happened to the whole town and the family. Josefina is trying to grow as a person, but is, also, still struggling with her grief over her poor mother and feels like if she grows too much - she will have forgotten her mother and who she wants was.
I liked this second book to the series, I just didn't love it because, like the first one, there is not a lot of things going on in the book (in the sense of actual action). It's not as lively, which makes sense because a lot of the things happening are about emotions and the things that happen inside you internally (especially) when someone you love dies. This is NOT a bad book by any means, I just wish it had a little bit more happening in it than a flood that wipes out half of the sheep (although that is a terrible thing that sadly does occur in the book... poor sheep). Compared to other books in the American Girl universe, I just feel like the Josefina story (so far) is a little slow for me and while I love Josefina so much more as a character compared to some (*cough, cough* Felicity *cough, cough*)... The events in her world just haven't really captivated me. In Felicity's time, we were dealing with the Revolutionary War and there was a lot of violence, sadness, and just, in general, crazy times. In Josefina's time, all we've really seen so far is animals ruining things or things ruining animals. I love the internal stuff that Josefina is dealing with as a reader because grief is a very difficult, necessary theme (and thing apart of life), but very little has actually occurred in the actual world she lives in and so it just makes the reading a bit sluggish, to be honest...
However, despite this critique, I still very much liked "Josefina Learns A Lesson" and I'm excited to see what our girl will do next. As a person, Josefina (and her family!) are much more likeable than Felicity and the rest of the Merriman clan. I hope it's going to be a good Christmas for Josefina in the next book, but I know that it will probably be a hard one without her mother being around. Also, as always said when I write these, I do not support the servitude that takes place in this book (or any American Girl book) with the Native American people. I do not think this adds anything to the series and I think Valerie Tripp does just as terrible of a job addressing it in here as she does with Felicity's slave - owning family in the Felicity series. I feel the need to mention this in almost every review because it just truly bothers me...
Okay... Well, to be honest, I really don't have much to say about "Josefina Learns A Lesson", but I always do little reviews to each of the American Girl books so I felt like I had to write *something*. This is the story about Josefina Montoya and her (semi - new) life on the rancho now that her Tía Dolores has come to live with the family. Tía Dolores is making a lot of changes. The four Montoya sisters are having to do a ton, especially after a bad flood that has happened to the whole town and the family. Josefina is trying to grow as a person, but is, also, still struggling with her grief over her poor mother and feels like if she grows too much - she will have forgotten her mother and who she wants was.
I liked this second book to the series, I just didn't love it because, like the first one, there is not a lot of things going on in the book (in the sense of actual action). It's not as lively, which makes sense because a lot of the things happening are about emotions and the things that happen inside you internally (especially) when someone you love dies. This is NOT a bad book by any means, I just wish it had a little bit more happening in it than a flood that wipes out half of the sheep (although that is a terrible thing that sadly does occur in the book... poor sheep). Compared to other books in the American Girl universe, I just feel like the Josefina story (so far) is a little slow for me and while I love Josefina so much more as a character compared to some (*cough, cough* Felicity *cough, cough*)... The events in her world just haven't really captivated me. In Felicity's time, we were dealing with the Revolutionary War and there was a lot of violence, sadness, and just, in general, crazy times. In Josefina's time, all we've really seen so far is animals ruining things or things ruining animals. I love the internal stuff that Josefina is dealing with as a reader because grief is a very difficult, necessary theme (and thing apart of life), but very little has actually occurred in the actual world she lives in and so it just makes the reading a bit sluggish, to be honest...
However, despite this critique, I still very much liked "Josefina Learns A Lesson" and I'm excited to see what our girl will do next. As a person, Josefina (and her family!) are much more likeable than Felicity and the rest of the Merriman clan. I hope it's going to be a good Christmas for Josefina in the next book, but I know that it will probably be a hard one without her mother being around. Also, as always said when I write these, I do not support the servitude that takes place in this book (or any American Girl book) with the Native American people. I do not think this adds anything to the series and I think Valerie Tripp does just as terrible of a job addressing it in here as she does with Felicity's slave - owning family in the Felicity series. I feel the need to mention this in almost every review because it just truly bothers me...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
In this second book in the series, Josefina and her three older sisters are delighted that Tia Dolores has returned for a stay. However, they begin to be concerned at all the changes their aunt begins to implement, because they fear it will cause them to feel more distant from their late mother. Meanwhile, the family's rancho's security is threatened by flash flooding, and everyone must pitch in to help recover lost revenue.
I enjoyed this book. I feel so sad for Josefina and her sisters for having lost their mother so young and am happy they have the opportunity to get to know their mother's sister. I do feel like, unlike other American Girl books, Josefina is more removed from a lot of the action, making this book feel somewhat less eventful. Josefina is mostly at home, weaving and contemplating learning to read. Hardly the exploits of other girls, like Kristen finding dead bodies in caves or Felicity stealing a horse in the dead of night from its abusive owner. But, on the other hand, Josefina's story is more realistic and historically accurate.
I do think this book helped my daughters learn a good bit about early life in New Mexico in the 1820s and what it would have been like growing up in that period. Many people didn't know how to read, like Josefina. Their lives were relatively isolated to their home, with infrequent visits to the closest town. They had a lot of questions about the Spanish vocabulary, clothing, and the style of house Josefina lives in while we were reading this together. I love getting to introduce them to some history through reading these entertaining books.
I enjoyed this book. I feel so sad for Josefina and her sisters for having lost their mother so young and am happy they have the opportunity to get to know their mother's sister. I do feel like, unlike other American Girl books, Josefina is more removed from a lot of the action, making this book feel somewhat less eventful. Josefina is mostly at home, weaving and contemplating learning to read. Hardly the exploits of other girls, like Kristen finding dead bodies in caves or Felicity stealing a horse in the dead of night from its abusive owner. But, on the other hand, Josefina's story is more realistic and historically accurate.
I do think this book helped my daughters learn a good bit about early life in New Mexico in the 1820s and what it would have been like growing up in that period. Many people didn't know how to read, like Josefina. Their lives were relatively isolated to their home, with infrequent visits to the closest town. They had a lot of questions about the Spanish vocabulary, clothing, and the style of house Josefina lives in while we were reading this together. I love getting to introduce them to some history through reading these entertaining books.
April 20, 2023
In this story Tia Delores comes back to live with the girls and their father. With her comes a lot of new ideas and lessons for everyone. When a nasty storm drowns hundreds of their sheep with a flash flood, Tia Delores has the wonderful idea to make blankets to trade for more sheep. Along with weaving lessons, there is the promise of reading and writing lessons as well. However, these changes have the girls worried they will forget all that their mother taught them too. Especially Francisca, which I think the story centered on her struggles with grief.
Although the story is not as exciting, I appreciate that it actually centers on grief and how the sisters have to learn to embrace change, but also still keep their mother in their hearts. I really appreciate as well the reader is able to experience a little bit of Mexican culture. I personally would probably love weaving, among other lessons learned in the story. I also thought it was really neat that embellishing one's name shows their fondness for the recipient and giving a suitor a squash is a polite "no" for marriage. A really good and wholesome story.
Although the story is not as exciting, I appreciate that it actually centers on grief and how the sisters have to learn to embrace change, but also still keep their mother in their hearts. I really appreciate as well the reader is able to experience a little bit of Mexican culture. I personally would probably love weaving, among other lessons learned in the story. I also thought it was really neat that embellishing one's name shows their fondness for the recipient and giving a suitor a squash is a polite "no" for marriage. A really good and wholesome story.
November 8, 2023
Josefina is eager to help her family replace the sheep they lost in a flash flood during a horrible storm. At Tia Dolores's suggestion, they can use the wool they have already shorn to weave blankets to trade to the Americanos, who are very interested in their patterns and colors of woven blankets. Josefina looks up to Tia Dolores who makes the business proposal to her papa since she is a woman and business isn't for women. Papa is impressed with her suggestion and all the girls are excited to help except Francisca, who is growing resentful of Tia Dolores -- she feels Tia is trying to mold them into people they aren't, giving them too much work, and pulling them further and further from their mama by encouraging them to read and write, which their mama never learned. However, Josefina is excited to learn to read, write, and weave. She gets lessons in weaving from Tia's servant, Teresita, a Navajo woman. When Tia shows Josefina a small book she used to record their mama's thoughts, poems, songs, and sayings, Josefina shares this with Francisca and they both become excited to read their mother's words.
February 12, 2019
The motherless Montoya girls' aunt wants them to learn to read. At first they're not sure whether this would even be disloyal to their uneducated mother...but we all know the American Girls stories weren't going to let the anti-literacy side win, although that happened in some real families in 1815.
As always in this series, the purpose of the story is to give children information about a period in history, with extensive notes and gorgeous color pictures of the things people used and wore. I liked Josefina better than the other American Girls because her stories always came out with a Spanish edition for parallel reading. All the Girls are very nice characters who have nice learning experiences about things that were going on at their period in history, though. My sisters, in grades six and seven, thought this series was childish when it came out; it's really ideal for grades two through four, but some sixth grade students still seem to like it.
As always in this series, the purpose of the story is to give children information about a period in history, with extensive notes and gorgeous color pictures of the things people used and wore. I liked Josefina better than the other American Girls because her stories always came out with a Spanish edition for parallel reading. All the Girls are very nice characters who have nice learning experiences about things that were going on at their period in history, though. My sisters, in grades six and seven, thought this series was childish when it came out; it's really ideal for grades two through four, but some sixth grade students still seem to like it.
September 25, 2022
Tia Dolores has been helping rhe girls learn things to help out their Papa. Josefina loves learning new things but her sister Francisca is such a lazy girl and a downer. She basically expected their Tia to do all their work when she stayed not teach them to do more. She's the reason this was demoted 1 star to be honest; she really annoyed me lol
Tia Dolores was a huge help when their Rancho could have gone into potential ruin from a storm, but her ideas saved them and her lessons might actually bring Josefina closer to her mother. Loved that part. The written word can really open doors for us.
Tia Dolores was a huge help when their Rancho could have gone into potential ruin from a storm, but her ideas saved them and her lessons might actually bring Josefina closer to her mother. Loved that part. The written word can really open doors for us.
January 1, 2025
I participated in am American Girl read along, reading six titles from the original six American Girl Dolls. I previously read two of the titles with my then 10 year old and enjoyed revisiting the, Josefina was not a title I read years ago. At first I was disappointed in the passive voice, however after a discussion with my daughter (who has a fair understanding of the Spanish language) I discovered the passive voice was appropriate for translation of the Spanish language as Josefina learned to read and write. This title confirms the American Girl books provided historical information to young girls that was relevant and accurate.
December 27, 2019
New to the American Girl series...at 40 somthing in age - I find them wonderful and SO wish they had been around when I was younger... or at least discovered them sooner.
This story is about young women in New Mexico in the 1800's coming of age with out their mother and and aunt stepping in to help.
The end of the book offers some wonderul 'real life' information about the time and culture
This story is about young women in New Mexico in the 1800's coming of age with out their mother and and aunt stepping in to help.
The end of the book offers some wonderul 'real life' information about the time and culture
July 2, 2021
This one is pretty slow-paced. I did like the way Francisca's and Josefina's feelings about losing their mother are explored. As time moves on and things change, poor Francisca feels she is losing hold on memories of her mother.
I liked the character of Teresita though I wonder what her Navajo name was. Does she still remember? And how must she feel having to smother such an important part of herself? A truly interesting character whom I doubt will be explored in depth.
I liked the character of Teresita though I wonder what her Navajo name was. Does she still remember? And how must she feel having to smother such an important part of herself? A truly interesting character whom I doubt will be explored in depth.
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