Josefina's Surprise: A Christmas Story (American Girls Collection Series: Josefina #3) Book

I have always loved The American Girls series, since I was a kid. I'm enjoying reading the old ones, and the new with my daughter. Reading them now, with the perspective of a mother and teacher, I appreciate them even more. They are absolutely wonderful for young girls around age 9. Each book has a bit of unfamiliar vocabulary that is usually beautifully illustrated on the margins of the text, along with gorgeous full page illustrations. Each story is realistic, and despite the gap in time, relatable for young girls today. I love how they also show the history of the time period in an honest manner. They deal with some very mature topics in a way that is identifiable to a child. My daughter and I have had some good discussions about how life has changed for girls and women, and in what ways it hasn't.

This particular book focuses largely on the grieving process. Josefina and her sisters lost their mother a little over a year ago, and are unsure how to approach this second Christmas without her. (A bonus from reading this: my daughter thought about how life would be without her mom, and for several days was very grateful for me.)