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Kit's Tree House (American Girl: Short Stories #31) by Valerie Tripp

 

Summary (from the publisher): Kit dreams of a tree house high in the branches of the backyard tree. When Dad and Stirling surprise her with a real tree house, her dream seems to have come true at last--or has it? Only Kit can decide.

Review: Kit has always dreamed of a tree house to call her own. But when Dad and Stirling surprise her with one, she's disappointed that it's not exactly the design of her dreams. Kit must decide if her dreams have come true or not. 

I really loved that this short story focuses on Kit's tree house dreams, which are referenced off and on throughout the full series! Due to the depression, Kit graciously gave the lumber originally intended for a tree house to her dad so he could turn a sleeping porch into a functional room so they could open their home as a boarding house to make ends meet. Now, her dad is trying to finally surprise her with a tree house. Kit has always had grand plans and come up with different elaborate designs for the tree house so is underwhelmed by the modest tree house that Dad and Stirling builds. 

I think this story is a great lesson in managing our expectations and expressing gratefulness for what we have. Kit has built up the idea of what her tree house will look like in her mind and has to take some time to accept the reality of what her dad can build for her. At the same time, I appreciated that she is still mindful of their feelings and thanks them for their work. 

I did think the resolution of this felt rushed and left a bit undone. Kit considers how she will handle the tree house disappointment and then the book just sort of ends with her in the tree house. I wish there had been a more explicit discussion of her deciding to accept the tree house and enjoy it as is. Otherwise, a great addition to Kit's stories! Love how the short stories build on subplots from the main series. 

Stars: 3

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