≫ Download Free The Friendship Doll Kirby Larson 9780385737456 Books

The Friendship Doll Kirby Larson 9780385737456 Books

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The Friendship Doll Kirby Larson 9780385737456 Books

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. This is the first book I've read by Kirby Larson and while I've heard great things about her writing and she does have a Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky, to her credit, that doesn't always mean I will enjoy the book. There are plenty of award winning books that I have not enjoyed. But this book presents an interesting concept, similar to Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, except here, the doll in some magical way manages to communicate when she chooses to do so. While there is the fantasy element here, the book feels very much like historical fiction. I liked the fact that the author chose to write about a rather unknown topic, the Japanese Doll Ambassadors sent to the United States in 1927 representing the friendship between the two countries. Ironically, in just over ten years time, the United States and Japan were at war with each other and some of the dolls were lost, others put away.

I enjoyed meeting the girls in the story, Bunny, who so desperately wants to win more attention from her distracted parents, Lois, who must choose between pursuing a personal desire and getting a gift for her best friend, Willie Mae, who leaves home to help support her struggling family, and Lucy, who searches for a new home after she and her father lose not only her mother, but their farm. Each girl is different, but finds her life touched by the doll. A well-told tale of loneliness, hope, love, and persistence, I recommend this for those who enjoy strong historical fiction with a magical twist.


Tags : The Friendship Doll [Kirby Larson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. I am Miss Kanagawa. In 1927, my 57 doll-sisters and I were sent from Japan to America as Ambassadors of Friendship. Our work wasn't all peach blossoms and tea cakes. My story will take you from New York to Oregon,Kirby Larson,The Friendship Doll,Delacorte Books for Young Readers,0385737459,Social Issues - Values,Ambassadors;Fiction.,Conduct of life;Fiction.,Dolls;Fiction.,Ambassadors,Asian American,CHILDREN'S FICTION HISTORICAL,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Children: Grades 4-6,Conduct of life,Dolls,Family - Multigenerational,Fiction,Historical - United States - 20th Century,JUVENILE,JUVENILE FICTION Social Themes Values & Virtues,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Fiction Family Multigenerational,Juvenile Fiction Historical United States 20th Century,Juvenile Grades 4-6 Ages 9-11,Juvenile Historical Fiction,Toys, Dolls & Puppets,United States

The Friendship Doll Kirby Larson 9780385737456 Books Reviews

In the fall of 1927, Japan and the U.S. exchanged dolls as an overture of goodwill and friendship. Fifty-eight exquisitely crafted, three-foot-tall dolls came from Japan real hair; faces and bodies of crushed shell, not porcelain; stunning handmade Japanese clothing; accoutrements that would rival a modern-day Barbie-doll's. This novel for ages 9-12 tells the story of the Japanese dolls and four children who were impacted by them.

This book alternates points of view. One point of view is that of one of the dolls Miss Kanagawa. The four children who are impacted by the dolls' visit are Bunny Harndon, obviously from a society family, who is on the welcoming committee in 1927; Lois Brown, four years later, wants to fly; Willie May Marcum, a Kentucky mountain girl in 1937 who writes to Eleanor Roosevelt about her troubles and dreams; and Mason Medcalf, of present-day Seattle. Each of these five voices comes across clearly.

This book is a work of fiction, but the friendship dolls are something that few people know about. The Author's Notes tell more about the dolls (especially what must have become of them after the attack on Pearl Harbor) and the girls. To this day, many of the dolls are still not accounted for.

I felt a good sense of time and place for each of the girls, and the characterization is strong. Bunny and her family are brought out as very well-to-do; Bunny's sister is about to have a coming-out party. Willie May and her father are barely subsisting and are put down as "Okies" (even though they aren't), and Willie May is close to having to leave school to work. The doll, Miss Kanagawa, has her voice brought out in the first person and comes across as almost haughty but still realizing her duty to the world at large and particularly children.

Though this book will not appeal to young readers who don't care about dolls, it has the potential to be excellent supplementary reading for history classes. Through the girls it tells of all walks of life, the boundaries each girl tries to break, and the way the people of two countries can try to get along.
Great read for my 12yr old daughter!
This book gave great insight to an era that many children today cannot begin imagine was real. I have purchased a class set of this book and will be developing lesson plans for a novel study as well as exploring the history of these wonderful dolls.
This book is absolutely wonderful! I knew nothing about the Friendship doll program, really enjoyed the story. The book was accurately described, safely and promptly shipped. Highly recommend!
The talented author of Hattie Big Sky and Hattie Ever After pens a heartfelt, tender novel that covers several continents and multiple generations. Unique perspective through the eyes of a childs' toy a doll who recalls her many owners and travels. Fun story with a touching moral.
Great item. Love the book
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. This is the first book I've read by Kirby Larson and while I've heard great things about her writing and she does have a Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky, to her credit, that doesn't always mean I will enjoy the book. There are plenty of award winning books that I have not enjoyed. But this book presents an interesting concept, similar to Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, except here, the doll in some magical way manages to communicate when she chooses to do so. While there is the fantasy element here, the book feels very much like historical fiction. I liked the fact that the author chose to write about a rather unknown topic, the Japanese Doll Ambassadors sent to the United States in 1927 representing the friendship between the two countries. Ironically, in just over ten years time, the United States and Japan were at war with each other and some of the dolls were lost, others put away.

I enjoyed meeting the girls in the story, Bunny, who so desperately wants to win more attention from her distracted parents, Lois, who must choose between pursuing a personal desire and getting a gift for her best friend, Willie Mae, who leaves home to help support her struggling family, and Lucy, who searches for a new home after she and her father lose not only her mother, but their farm. Each girl is different, but finds her life touched by the doll. A well-told tale of loneliness, hope, love, and persistence, I recommend this for those who enjoy strong historical fiction with a magical twist.