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Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School Story (American Girl: Samantha #2) by Susan S. Adler

 

Summary (from the publisher): Samantha is determined to help Nellie with her schoolwork and learns a great deal herself about what it is like to be a poor child.

Review: In this book, Samantha attends her private girls' school and encourages her new friend Nellie as she prepares to start public school. When Nellie is teased for being behind, Samantha decides to tutor her and help Nellie catch up with other kids her age. 

Samantha displays such immense compassion and empathy for Nellie in this book, and I love her for it. Samantha comes from a higher social class, and her neighbors and classmates do not think she should be spending time with Nellie, but she does it anyway. I admire Samantha's grandmother for allowing her to do so. This book sheds light on important parts of American history. Before today's labor laws, little children worked absurd hours in horrible conditions in factories to help support their families. Girls like Nellie didn't have the privilege of going to school or really of enjoying their childhood at all. I'm thankful to this book for helping my own children learn about this part of our history and to contemplate how lucky they are to get to go to school. 

Samantha's books aren't as inherently thrilling as some of the other girls in the series. She is a wealthy girl living in a strict and privileged household. But I love seeing her stand up for what is right and thinking through current practices and class differences in this book. 

Stars: 4

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