We (practically) know that Kirsten is coming back. However, with the latest American Girls having only two books, they are likely to put Meet Kirsten, Kirsten Learns a Lesson, and Kirsten's Surprise into one book while they make Happy Birthday, Kirsten!, Kirsten Saves the Day, and Changes for Kirsten the second book. No guarantees, though--The Gift, Samantha's new, abridged book, doesn't contain a bit of Samantha's Surprise. Rather, it's a mash-up of Meet Samantha, Samantha Learns a Lesson, and Samantha and the Blue Bicycle (the latter an American Girl Short Story).
So I cannot help but wonder, what will they keep, and what will they remove? One YouTube pointed out that, although Kirsten wasn't a naughty, mischievous troublemaker, she did often cause trouble; e.g., she practically set her house on fire. Also as the YouTuber pointed out, her story was a bit depressing--her best friend died in the first book! So I'm thinking that although the edited books will not have Kirsten perfect--no person is!--she'll stir up less trouble. Also, her stories will remain historical fiction, but they'll be a bit more light-hearted.
One part I wonder about in particular is the term "Indian." That is politically incorrect--and just plain incorrect--"Indians" are people that were here before Europeans, not actual Indians--today but was used decades ago when Kirsten's books were first published. It was also the term Kirsten and her family would have used. So on one hand, AG might change the term to "Native American," might completely remove the plot with Singing Bird, or might keep the term but put in a note that it's not correct, like they did with the term "colored" for Melody.
What are your thoughts? What will they remove and/or change for the upcoming abridged Kirsten books? And what about the term "Indian"?
I hope she gets a pink prarie dress :)
Honestly, I'd keep every bit of her original story. I'd also add all the short stories. I was able to download Kirsten and the Chipuwa, sorry if I spelled that wr"g, via an accessible book downloading website for people with bonified reading disabilities, but they didn't have any of her other short stories. They only had one of Kit's, and four of everyone elses. Being blind, I can't read the paper or hard back versions of the short stories, and I'd really like too. I'd also write Kirsten more mysteries if I was her author. More mysteries for all the historicals actually.
Thanks! I like these books.
I love the Kirsten books, and I found them the most truly adventurous of all of the series. I hope that they do keep in the part about Marta dying. While it is really sad, it was also written very thoughtfully, and I think it is helpful to other kids who may be going through a loss. My opinion about "Indian" is that they should use Native American when writing the narration, but during dialogue use "Indian" since that would have been accurate. The whole storyline of Singing Bird is very powerful as well, simply because Kirsten was able to see first hand what their culture was like without the blinders of European prejudices - also understanding that at that time there were some pretty nasty things happening that were initiated by the Native Americans, so there was legitimate animosity on both sides. My husband is about 50% Native American, and he doesn't care if he's called Indian or Native American. He generally uses the term Indian. I prefer to use Native American and Indian to distinguish between the East Indians and the American Indians. Just makes my life easier. When I say Indian, I mean Kavi. It's funny, sometimes I'll be talking about Indians and a particular bit of culture, and my husband will be like... wait, no the Indians don't do that, and I have to clarify for him that I mean East Indian.
I agree with everything u said And brought up! I think they should keep the part about singing bird in. Maybe in her book they might add parts of the short story Kirsten on the trail where it talks about how singing bird and her tribe are basically starving and die ing bc there’s no food, and maybe they’d remove the whole bear attack or fire. maybe Ag would either get rid of the word Indian and change it to Native American or just do like what you said with melody’s books!