What I love about the American Girl Be Forever Collection is that each doll has a historical story that your child can learn from. These stories make us think of the time in which that doll would have lived and give us a glimpse into her customs and culture. It also gives us perspective of how far we have come.
The spotlight this month is on Caroline. Caroline Abbott is growing up during the War of 1812. Her stories teach readers about the war that is sometimes called “America’s Second War of Independence”. Students will also learn about the importance of staying strong, making good decisions, and taking action.
After the American colonies won the Revolutionary War, the United States grew rapidly, but Great Britain refused to treat its former colonies as truly independent nation. Americans were angered by British policies that hurt U.S. trade and were outraged that American sailors were captured at sea and forced to serve in the British Navy. Britain also tried to slow U.S. expansion and settlement by provoking hostilities along America’s northern and westward frontiers.
Caroline’s family lives near the frontier, on the shore of Lake Ontario. When war breaks out, her father, a shipbuilder, is captured and imprisoned by the British. Caroline feels frightened and helpless, but she promises her father will stay steady. She helps her mother keep the household and ship yard running, smuggles information to help her father escape, saves an American supply boat from British capture, and shows great bravery when her village is attacked. As she navigates the challenges of wartime. Caroline proves her steadiness and strength much as the fledgling United States fought the War of 1812 to secure its standing as a truly independent nation.
They are currently six books in the series that relate to Caroline:
These books were authored by Kathleen Ernest
Book 1: Meet Caroline
Caroline Abbott is doing what she loves most—sailing on Lake Ontario with Papa—when her world turns upside down. A British officer boards their sloop, announces that Britain and America are at war, and takes her father prisoner!
Book 2: Caroline’s Secret Message
Caroline and Mama make a dangerous trip across Lake Ontario to the British fort where Papa is a prisoner. When Mama isn’t allowed to see Papa, it’s up to Caroline to pass a secret message to him—right under the nose of a British guard! Caroline hopes desperately that Papa will be able to use the information to escape. But can she get the message to him? And even if she does, will Papa understand it? When Caroline and Mama return home, all they can do is wait…and hope. On Caroline’s birthday, an unexpected gift lifts her heart.
Book 3: A Surprise for Caroline
Caroline imagined it would be great fun to have two girls staying at her house for the winter. But her friend Rhonda Hathaway and her cousin Lydia are both twelve, and sometimes they seem to be better friends with each other than with Caroline.Worse, they’d rather stay inside styling hair than go skating and sledding! Nothing Caroline tries seems to change things, not even the special Christmas gift she gives Rhonda. Finally, hurt feelings lead Caroline to make a very rash decision—one that puts all three girls on very thin ice!
Book 4: Caroline Takes a Chance
Caroline, like everyone else in Sackets Harbor, is waiting anxiously for the first supply boats of the year to arrive. Without supplies, the shipyards can’t build boats to fight the British. When Caroline and her friends Rhonda and Seth go out fishing in Papa’s skiff, they’re excited to catch sight of a supply boat–until they realize that it’s being chased by a British warship! Desperate to save the supply boat, Caroline comes up with a daring idea. Will her plan work? Or is it a dangerous and foolish risk? Caroline has no time to think–she can only plunge ahead.
Book 5: Caroline’s Battle
Caroline’s Papa has barely returned home before frightening news arrives—British warships are headed for Sackets Harbor, ready to attack. Every able-bodied man, including Papa, must go and fight. Mama and Caroline are left alone to guard Abbott’s Shipyard from the enemy. Caroline tells herself that she will do anything to keep Papa’s shipyard safe! But when the battle seems to be lost, Mama gives her a terrible order: They must burn the shipyard to the ground to keep it from the enemy. It’s the one thing Caroline isn’t sure she can do.
Book 6: Changes for Caroline
Caroline receives a letter asking her to come and help on Uncle Aaron’s farm. Although she hates to leave her family, Caroline is pleased to see her cousin Lydia—and to meet Lydia’s pretty cow and sweet baby calf! Determined to help out in any way she can, Caroline keeps watch when a thief starts sneaking around the farm. Then she makes an unexpected discovery—and learns that some things are not as simple as they seem. When Caroline returns home at last for an Independence Day celebration, she is treated to a wonderful surprise.
Patriotism and the War of 1812
The War of 1812 was fought in many locations, including the Great Lakes region, Washington D.C., Baltimore and New Orleans. By winning several key battles against the British, the strongest fighting force in the world at the time. The young United States proved its strength and independence. It was the War of 1812 that gave Americans their national anthem, created a reverence for the American flag, and established a sense of national pride and confidence.
Sacrificing for the Common Gold
Caroline faces many situations in which she has to choose between her own desires and the common good. Gradually, she learns to master her impulsiveness and balance her own interests against those of her family community and country.
Everyday Heroes
Caroline is an ordinary girl who faces extraordinary challenges when war breaks out. She often doubts herself and sometimes makes mistakes, and she certainly doesn’t think of herself as a hero. But by facing difficult situations squarely and giving herself without expecting anything in return, Caroline becomes the kind of real, everyday hero that anyone can be.
How fascinating all of this is, and you child can learn all of this and so much more through these wonderful books.
Now I have some really exciting news the great people at American Girl want to give you a chance to kick off this series and give a lucky a reader a chance to win their own Grace doll. Please join us again next month, for the next part of this series, and all year long
All you have to do is leave comment and follow me on twitter, instagram, pinterest, or facebook.
Please make sure to include your email so that you will be notified if you win.
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This contest will run from January 12, 2015 to March 31, 2015
Disclaimer: I am working in collaboration with American Girl on this series; however all opinions expressed here are my own.
