American Girl book club at Clayton Books

Popular books about 8- and 9- year-old girls in U.S. history are discussed at Clayton Books each month

As a little girl growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, American Girl dolls and books were some of my favorite things to play with. For those not familiar with American Girl, the company features a couple different series of books for each of their eight to nine-year old character – young girls living in different eras and locations of the United States.  Characters range from Kaya, a Nez Perce girl from the 1760s, to Kirsten, a Swedish immigrant settling on the frontier prairie in the 1850s, to Julie, a San Franciscan in the 1970s. From what began over 20 years ago as The Pleasant Company and starting with characters Kirsten, Samantha and Molly, American Girl was  acquired by Mattel, Inc. 10 years ago and since has added six more characters to their book series, along with expanding their doll line with Bitty Baby and a line of Just Like You Dolls. The movie Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, appeared in theaters over the summer and comes out on dvd on October 29.

Here in the East Bay, Clayton Books’s American Girls Club gathers once a month at the shop to discuss a specific character chosen for the month and encourages kids to participate in activities and discussions about the stories. Club meetings are Fridays at 7pm and are free (have your kids bring their American Girl dolls, too).  The next meeting, “Meet Felicity”, is October 17.

The monthly club meetings are a fun opportunity for young girls to get together and read about strong girls their own age in different settings and time periods in the United States.

Also, this Friday, Sept. 26 from 6-9pm, Clayton Books is holding a 25% off sale for new and used American Girl books and dolls—a good chance to pick up what you don’t already have before their next club meeting.

Clayton Books
5433 Clayton Rd # D
Clayton, (925) 673-3325, www.claytonbookshop.com

 

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