Kirsten arrives in America
Begin with Meet Kirsten, then follow the six seasonal stories in order.
Book Series · 6 Books
American Girl: Kirsten Books
In order from Meet Kirsten to Changes for Kirsten. Part of American Girl.
Six historical stories about nine-year-old Kirsten Larson, whose Swedish family immigrates to Minnesota and builds a new life on the 1854 frontier.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Kirsten Books
Read the six classic books in order, from Meet Kirsten through Changes for Kirsten. Together they follow Kirsten's first year in America through the seasons, so family changes and friendships carry forward from one story to the next.
American Girl has also published shorter collections and a newer Hello, Kirsten board book. Those are alternate introductions for different ages, not additional books in this six-story sequence.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The stories include a child's death from cholera, a dangerous blizzard, a bear encounter, childbirth worries, a house fire, displacement, homesickness, and the hardships of immigration and farm life. Kirsten also befriends a Dakota girl while the books discuss settlers moving onto Dakota and Ojibwe homelands; families may want to add present-day Native perspectives when discussing that history.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1986
Meet Kirsten
By Janet Shaw, Renee Graef (Illustrator)
A young girl navigates a new world in 1854 America, seeking belonging and opportunity.
80 pages· 7,533 words· Est. 1 hour read
$6.95Save 3%
Paperback
Summary: In 1854, Kirsten Larson embarks on a journey from Sweden to America, facing a world of unfamiliar customs and daunting challenges. Lost in a bustling city and separated from her best friend, Kirsten wonders if she'll ever find her place. As her family settles on a frontier farm, she clings to her father's promise of opportunity. Will this new land become the home she dreams of, or will the struggles prove too great? Discover Kirsten's quest for belonging and hope in a land of promise.
In reading order
American Girl: Kirsten Series
6 books · Published 1986–1988
#1
Sale price
$674
Meet Kirsten
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1986
A young girl navigates a new world in 1854 America, seeking belonging and opportunity.
#2
Sale price
$674
Kirsten Learns a Lesson
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1986
A young girl must choose between running away or finding her place in a new world.
#3
Kirsten's Surprise
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 1986
A blizzard threatens Kirsten's secret Christmas plans.
#4
Sale price
$674
Happy Birthday, Kirsten!
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 1987
Spring brings change and challenges to the farm. Can Kirsten balance it all?
#5
Sale price
$695
Kirsten Saves the Day
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 1988
A pioneer girl faces new challenges and unexpected dangers in a strange land.
#6
Sale price
$695
Changes for Kirsten
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1988
Discover the lives of six girls from America's past.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the American Girl: Kirsten series?
There are 6 books in the American Girl: Kirsten series. It began with Meet Kirsten in 1986, and the newest book, Changes for Kirsten, was published in 1988.
What order should you read the American Girl: Kirsten books in?
Start with Meet Kirsten and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #6.
What ages are the American Girl: Kirsten books best for?
The series is best for ages 7–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring American Girl: Kirsten to life.
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