Meet Samantha: An American Girl

What I found most interesting in this book was the way that Samantha, a young girl of nine years, was treated and expected to behave. What hit me most when reading this was how much her ideal behavior could impact young readers. As a young lady of position, she wasn't ever expected to work or make her own living, compared to Nellie, a girl of the same age who has a cough from working long hours in the factories. The author created a nice parrallel between the characters of the two girls- they come from completely different backgrounds but at heart, they are both little girls who are up to mischief and enjoy the company of dolls. Finally, one thing found in this book characteristic of tales such as Hansel and Gretel was the rebellion that was portrayed in child. Samantha snuck out of the house and disrespectfully spoke to her Grandmary, but she went unpunished for her defiance. On the contrary, she was rewarded and given a hug.