What was life like in America in 1854? Janet Shaw introduces young readers to pioneer America through the character of Kirsten Larson, a 9-year-old who emigrates from Sweden to the frontier of the Minnesota Territory. The six Kirsten books are part of the American Girls Collection. Shaw will be at City Lights this Saturday, Jan. 26. Under the direction of Jennifer Ross, children's book specialist at City Lights, several young readers designed their own personal paper square. Each square depicts an individual's reading history. The youngsters interviewed older family members, asking such questions as "What did your parents read to you?" "Did your family read as a group?" "When and how did you learn to read?" "What did you read?" "What was your favorite book?" "What did you have to read and what were you not allowed to read?" "Do you read now?" "I call this our Generations of Reading Project'," said Ross, who has joined the squares in a quilt. Shaw, who plans to bring her mother to the event, will facilitate an open discussion on "Generations of Reading." In writing the Kirsten series, Shaw tells the story of a 9-year-old girl who emigrates from Sweden to the frontier of the Minnesota Territory in 1854. "It's a story central to U.S. history, since most Americans today have ancestors or family members who came from somewhere else," said Ross, who became interested in the American Girls series when a friend's daughter was chosen as the model for one of the girls. "Each girl there are seven of them represent different periods in American history and all are authentically and carefully researched," she said. "It's an exciting way to introduce young readers to history." "Writers use both memory and imagination when they create stories," Shaw said. "When I was writing stories about Kirsten and her family, I used many memories of my own childhood. I also imagined adventures that I wished I could have had myself. I would have loved to save my father in a snow storm or to have a secret Indian friend. Sometimes I used ideas that my own children shared with me. "The circumstances of Kirsten's life 140 years ago were different from ours, but our feelings are the same," Shaw said. Shaw's program is open to all children. "Parents can come, too," added Ross. |