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American Girl: Kit #6
Changes for Kit: A Winter Story
When cranky Uncle Hendrick comes to stay with Kit's family, Kit is less than enthusiastic. With his gruff orders to Kit and fiery letters to the newspaper editor, Uncle Hendrick has even Kit losing hope for better times. But when he unwittingly gives Kit a great idea, she shows that even one girl can make a difference and proves that hope is definitely worth holding on to.
67 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
8 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
254Ìýbooks418ÌýfollowersValerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 9, 2020
I'm really very impressed how they worked elements of all 6 books into the one movie and still added an original storyline. The film is a treasure trove of Easter eggs and references that you'd only catch if you know the books, and I still stand by the opinion that the OG American Girl movies are some of the best adaptations out there.
October 30, 2024
Kit is just so great! And I love the friend group!
November 14, 2024
This feels a little like Kit's Surprise, vol. 2: Kit's too-small coat finally gets handed down, and Uncle Hendrick is baaaa-aaack - and, if anything, worse than ever. Nobody missed you, Hendrick.
But these days, Kit is all responsibility. She seeks out any spare moment she can for her friends and her newspapers, but the days of shirking her dusting seem to be long past. In contrast to Molly and Felicity, two prior Valerie Tripp series, there's no on-the-nose "oh how much you've grown" conversation, but Kit recognizes it in herself.
The best thing she recognizes in herself - and one of my favorite moments in the book - is Kit's realization that taking Uncle Hendrick's dictation for all those letters to the editor has taught her exactly how to go about writing one of her own. I still love any scene of Kit writing - you can feel those passages coming straight from Tripp's heart.
And though it's been about six months since Kit Saves the Day, we finally start to make good on the last line of that book, in which Kit muses that maybe she could tell the stories of the people in hobo camps. All of her growth through the series and all of the empathy she's gained along the way go into that letter to the editor, and it truly is a triumph.
I thing that's true of the series as a whole, too. By this point - doll number seven for AG, and series number four for Tripp - the wrinkles have been ironed out, and the books hum along like a well-oiled machine. The arcs for each book work individually, but come together to make a greater whole. The characters grow and change throughout the series in realistic ways, and the delivery of the history is really stellar. It's never easy to tell kids about hard times, and it's especially hard to explain a stock market crash and a run on the banks at an eight-year-old level, but the Kit series does a really admirable job. Addy is my gold standard for AG series thus far, and Kit joins her in the top echelon.
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
But these days, Kit is all responsibility. She seeks out any spare moment she can for her friends and her newspapers, but the days of shirking her dusting seem to be long past. In contrast to Molly and Felicity, two prior Valerie Tripp series, there's no on-the-nose "oh how much you've grown" conversation, but Kit recognizes it in herself.
The best thing she recognizes in herself - and one of my favorite moments in the book - is Kit's realization that taking Uncle Hendrick's dictation for all those letters to the editor has taught her exactly how to go about writing one of her own. I still love any scene of Kit writing - you can feel those passages coming straight from Tripp's heart.
And though it's been about six months since Kit Saves the Day, we finally start to make good on the last line of that book, in which Kit muses that maybe she could tell the stories of the people in hobo camps. All of her growth through the series and all of the empathy she's gained along the way go into that letter to the editor, and it truly is a triumph.
I thing that's true of the series as a whole, too. By this point - doll number seven for AG, and series number four for Tripp - the wrinkles have been ironed out, and the books hum along like a well-oiled machine. The arcs for each book work individually, but come together to make a greater whole. The characters grow and change throughout the series in realistic ways, and the delivery of the history is really stellar. It's never easy to tell kids about hard times, and it's especially hard to explain a stock market crash and a run on the banks at an eight-year-old level, but the Kit series does a really admirable job. Addy is my gold standard for AG series thus far, and Kit joins her in the top echelon.
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
November 28, 2023
Good conclusion that pulled together many of the individual narratives from the other installments in the series into an overall storyline and character arc. Rereading it now as an adult, I think I'd say it's my favorite of the American Girl book series. But then again, it's been 20 years since I read the others.
Easy to read on days where I just didn't feel like tackling a novel or nonfiction when it came to downtime, I feel this series provides a great look for young readers into the Great Depression, as it included a lot of interesting detail and situations specific to the time.
Easy to read on days where I just didn't feel like tackling a novel or nonfiction when it came to downtime, I feel this series provides a great look for young readers into the Great Depression, as it included a lot of interesting detail and situations specific to the time.
January 13, 2018
This was a really great wrap up to the kit series. It showed in a simple easy to follow way how just a couple of kids CAN easily make a tangible difference in their communities. Definitely something kids need to get more involved in with their schools and extracurricular Groups
October 29, 2024
“You’ve got the makings of a good reporter, kid.� 📚�
THIS is how you save the day - much better than the last book [*references Kit book #5 review].
Kit goes far and beyond to help the group of people she wants to help. This time, she goes about it the right way with integrity and thoughtfulness - making a huge difference in their lives.
And also fulfills a dream at the same time!
Bravo, Kit.
Squeaky clean and wholesome.
Stay tuned for more in-depth monthly book reviews on my cozy YT channel. 💙☕�
March 15, 2011
mrs. kittredge has sewn a new winter coat for kit out an outgrown winter coat that used to belong to kit's older brother. kit decides to donate her still-functional former winter coat to a needy child down at the hobo jungle, but when she arrives, no one is around. she finally realizes that someone has built a cave shelter into a small hill & she knocks on the door. the ill-tempered hoboes inside explain that the weather is getting bitterly cold & everyone who hung around in the jungle during the summertime has moved into shelters & soup kitchens. kit takes her coat to the soup kitchen & gives to a little girl.
the kittredges than receive word that rich, bad-tempered uncle hendrik has slipped on some ice & broken his ankle. he has to stay with them for a week or two while he recovers enough to get back on his feet. because everyone is so busy looking after the paying boarders, taking care of uncle hendrik becomes kit's job. naturally, she hates it because uncle hendrik is a bossy jerk. he calls her away from her free time every day to write down the letters to the editor that he dictates. all his letter are about how FDR is running the country straight into the ground with his useless make-work programs designed to employ the unemployed. kit fumes about uncle hdendrik's opinions because her family has directly benefited from some of the programs he is condemning. when she tries to point this out, hendrik scoffs at her & is all, "i don't need to hear opinions from a child like you, still engaging in baby play like writing your little newspapers." i don't know any babies that write their own newspapers, but maybe i am not as worldly as uncle hendrik.
after several weeks of this, kit realizes that uncle hendrik has taught her exactly how to write a letter to the newspaper editor. so she writes her own, all about how the programs FDR is designing are good & helpful, & no one is choosing to be out of work. she writes about meeting hobo children in the hobo jungle the previous summer, & seeing underfed children insufficiently dresses for the weather at the local soup kitchen. she writes that if people only knew how the depression was affecting children, they would do more to help. she then enlists ruthie & stirling to accompany her back to the soup kitchen, where they photograph some of the children in question. kit encloses the film with her letter & drops it off at the newspaper office.
the next morning, uncle hendrik almost has a conniption when he sees kit's letter & photos in the paper. everyone else in the house is proud of kit, of course. kit, ruthie, & stirling take up a collection at school to bring their classmates' old clothes, shoes, & coats to needy children at the soup kitchen. when they drop off their donations, the soup kitchen manager tells them that they have been swamped with donations ever since kit's letter was in the paper. kit realizes that the power of her words & photos can make an appreciable difference in people's lives, & that she can contribute in some small way to mitgating the impact of the depression, even if she is just a child.
the kittredges than receive word that rich, bad-tempered uncle hendrik has slipped on some ice & broken his ankle. he has to stay with them for a week or two while he recovers enough to get back on his feet. because everyone is so busy looking after the paying boarders, taking care of uncle hendrik becomes kit's job. naturally, she hates it because uncle hendrik is a bossy jerk. he calls her away from her free time every day to write down the letters to the editor that he dictates. all his letter are about how FDR is running the country straight into the ground with his useless make-work programs designed to employ the unemployed. kit fumes about uncle hdendrik's opinions because her family has directly benefited from some of the programs he is condemning. when she tries to point this out, hendrik scoffs at her & is all, "i don't need to hear opinions from a child like you, still engaging in baby play like writing your little newspapers." i don't know any babies that write their own newspapers, but maybe i am not as worldly as uncle hendrik.
after several weeks of this, kit realizes that uncle hendrik has taught her exactly how to write a letter to the newspaper editor. so she writes her own, all about how the programs FDR is designing are good & helpful, & no one is choosing to be out of work. she writes about meeting hobo children in the hobo jungle the previous summer, & seeing underfed children insufficiently dresses for the weather at the local soup kitchen. she writes that if people only knew how the depression was affecting children, they would do more to help. she then enlists ruthie & stirling to accompany her back to the soup kitchen, where they photograph some of the children in question. kit encloses the film with her letter & drops it off at the newspaper office.
the next morning, uncle hendrik almost has a conniption when he sees kit's letter & photos in the paper. everyone else in the house is proud of kit, of course. kit, ruthie, & stirling take up a collection at school to bring their classmates' old clothes, shoes, & coats to needy children at the soup kitchen. when they drop off their donations, the soup kitchen manager tells them that they have been swamped with donations ever since kit's letter was in the paper. kit realizes that the power of her words & photos can make an appreciable difference in people's lives, & that she can contribute in some small way to mitgating the impact of the depression, even if she is just a child.
July 25, 2024
Genuinely helpful for preparing kids to deal with their shitty Republican relatives
Also as an aside, I guess it’s a Mandela effect maybe caused by the Kit Kittredge movie (I haven’t seen it since I was a kid, so I could be misremembering the movie too, who knows) but I thought I remembered Kit’s dad getting a job at the end of the series. It turns out he doesn’t. Which is interesting because the book’s called “Changes for Kit� but actually Kit and her family’s life situation doesn’t really change from where they were in the previous books—they’re still in a kind of limbo where they could lose everything at any moment. It makes sense that when they did a movie adaptation they went for a more clear-cut happy ending with more finality. But I actually think I like that the books end without much finality because, to quote Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea, “I think the best stories feel like they're still going, somewhere, out in story space.�
Also as an aside, I guess it’s a Mandela effect maybe caused by the Kit Kittredge movie (I haven’t seen it since I was a kid, so I could be misremembering the movie too, who knows) but I thought I remembered Kit’s dad getting a job at the end of the series. It turns out he doesn’t. Which is interesting because the book’s called “Changes for Kit� but actually Kit and her family’s life situation doesn’t really change from where they were in the previous books—they’re still in a kind of limbo where they could lose everything at any moment. It makes sense that when they did a movie adaptation they went for a more clear-cut happy ending with more finality. But I actually think I like that the books end without much finality because, to quote Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea, “I think the best stories feel like they're still going, somewhere, out in story space.�
May 25, 2022
this was a really good book to end kit's main story on, her getting the attention of mr gibbs genuinely warmed my heart, as did the scene with her giving the little girl her old coat. kit, ruthie and stirling have become such a good trio now too, funny to look back at how much the girls didn't like him in kit's meet book! great end to the series
April 6, 2023
finally finishing up the kit universe, bangers all down the line
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August 3, 2022I loved this story! Kit is clearly a very passionate person and to see her want to make real change, despite the mean things her uncle said, was empowering to see!
Uncle Hendrick would have easily been a Trump supporter, if I'm being frank.
Uncle Hendrick would have easily been a Trump supporter, if I'm being frank.
August 7, 2022
Considering how dramatic Changes for Kirsten was, this felt very tame. Also love that Uncle Hendrick never got a redemption arc.
October 15, 2022
This is a good ending to a good series - Kit s rightfully one of the most iconic American Girls, as seen here where she rallies everyone to help out at a local soup kitchen.
November 25, 2022
What a heartening conclusion to Kit's Depression story. I teared up reading about her first letter published in a real newspaper.
August 18, 2024
kit becomes a staff writer after one letter and i'm barely keeping my tutoring business afloat
November 9, 2024
A really excellent wrap-up to the Kit series!! I loved seeing her write a letter to the editor. The plotline shows us all that she's learned in these past books.
April 30, 2025
Excellent ending to a fantastic series�
February 26, 2022
In "Changes for Kit", Kit discovers the true power of the written word. And she and her friends also actively make a difference for others.
I've been meaning to mention one fact since my first review, but kept forgetting until now. Unlike the other American Girl stories which begin in the year written on the book cover, Kit's story begins in 1932 and ends in 1934, the year on the cover. This is mentioned in the historical notes in book one (and two, I believe) and also in the last book. Just something to keep in mind.
I can't help but realize that her brother, Charlie, will be the right age to fight in WWII. So even once the Depression ends, Kit's family will still have worries. This is the only series (so far) where I have shed tears in more than one book. I did so again here when Kit gave the little girl her coat. All in all, just a very moving, informative series. The best of the American Girls, in my opinion.
I've been meaning to mention one fact since my first review, but kept forgetting until now. Unlike the other American Girl stories which begin in the year written on the book cover, Kit's story begins in 1932 and ends in 1934, the year on the cover. This is mentioned in the historical notes in book one (and two, I believe) and also in the last book. Just something to keep in mind.
I can't help but realize that her brother, Charlie, will be the right age to fight in WWII. So even once the Depression ends, Kit's family will still have worries. This is the only series (so far) where I have shed tears in more than one book. I did so again here when Kit gave the little girl her coat. All in all, just a very moving, informative series. The best of the American Girls, in my opinion.
February 3, 2018
This was actually really really cute, I loved how determined Kit was to change peoples minds and see that though they can’t end the depression they can help people and make it easier for them, especially the children.
Kit’s grouchy and over opinionated uncle breaks his leg and arm and has to stay with them until he’s better. The whole while making Kit his personal servant. Each time he read something in the newspaper he disagreed with He forever Kit to write out his thoughts in a letter and deliver them to the editor of the newspaper. One day Kit couldn’t take what he was saying anymore and wrote her own letter and got photographic evidence to back up her letter. She didn’t expect it to be seen or even published but the next day she is given a wonderful surprise.
Kit’s grouchy and over opinionated uncle breaks his leg and arm and has to stay with them until he’s better. The whole while making Kit his personal servant. Each time he read something in the newspaper he disagreed with He forever Kit to write out his thoughts in a letter and deliver them to the editor of the newspaper. One day Kit couldn’t take what he was saying anymore and wrote her own letter and got photographic evidence to back up her letter. She didn’t expect it to be seen or even published but the next day she is given a wonderful surprise.
March 15, 2022
I have really enjoyed this series! I hadn't read this one as a kid because it came out too late. I read the first two with my 10yo and 8yo sons since we were studying the Great Depression. My oldest son opted out of the rest of the series, but my 8yo and I listened to #3 - #6 (on 1.20 speed on the audio series). I love the individual parts of each one and the overall story arc. And, as an adult, I even appreciated the "Looking Back" section (which I never read as a kid). Now I'm wondering which series we'll tackle next!
September 28, 2022
Wow....Kit's uncle is a vicious vicious man with no heart! It makes Kit feel so bad how he bad mouths those less fortunate than himself and begrudges the fact the government was ACTUALLY doing something to help!
But, after so many hateful letters to the Newspaper, Kit decides to speak up for the downtrodden! She writes for the helpless and it helps! This shows even a child's one action can set a chain of events that can lead to good. We can all do our part to make our community better and help the needy. Really good story!
But, after so many hateful letters to the Newspaper, Kit decides to speak up for the downtrodden! She writes for the helpless and it helps! This shows even a child's one action can set a chain of events that can lead to good. We can all do our part to make our community better and help the needy. Really good story!
August 29, 2023
This is just another Kit book, but what makes it stand out to me is the prominent role of Uncle Hendrick . I didn’t like him as a kid because he was a jerk, and I don’t like him now for different reasons. Uncle Hendrick is a fiscal conservative who is against the New Deal, and that is presented as another one of the characteristics that makes him a jerk. There were legitimate reasons to be against the New Deal, even if your relatives have benefited from it. The economic policies you support are not a sign of your morality!
October 29, 2020
This was my real favorite in the series! Kits books focused on the Great Depression and what it was like for everyone. I loved how kit knew what she wanted to do and did it not caring what her uncle would think. Kit made a difference that most kids her age would not dream of even trying to do. I really loved how strong and caring kit is and how in the end ruthie and stirling and kit were a trio and worked together in everything.
April 16, 2024
I LOVE KIT SO MUCH. I was SO disappointed and sad that Aunt Millie was not in this book. It just said she left with some other boarders (I don't even remember who) and that was it. No more Aunt Millie. I would have LOVED to see her interaction with Uncle Henrick. He's such a pen in the d*ck person. I also LOVE the story behind Kit's new coat, hat, and mittens. I was sad to see this book end, but I'm excited to read the short stories of Kit! And the nonfiction Kit's World book.
April 20, 2024
4.5 stars. Kit is such a great character. These last two books were wonderful. I cannot stand her cantankerous uncle but without his annoying self I don't think Kit would've gained the courage to write the letter to the newspaper to help the homeless children. This was a lovely series and is definitely up there as one of my favorites of the 'American Girl' books.
June 23, 2024
This whole series is absolutely amazing, they are quick reads but the story is so empowering and wants you coming for more! If you're a girl around the age of 11-15 or you're a mom with a daughter that age I definitely recommend buying this book series You're gonna love it and it's gonna teach you a lot!
June 12, 2018
I really loved this book as a child and I think any young reader will learn a great deal from this book. Good, honest characterization; coupled with an important story in the backdrop on minimalist and sparse writing. Certainly a childhood favorite.
October 20, 2022
Brings together all of the events of the previous five books. I do appreciate that Kit's stingy uncle never gets a redemption arc. He's every bit as mean at the end of this book as he was when he was first introduced.
December 19, 2023
This is the perfect ending to a solid series. I can see the maturity in how the author writes her and how she holds steadfast to her morals. I think the history portions are quite amazing and something about her being 18 in ww 2 brought me to tears!
January 4, 2025
I read the Kit Kittredge book series in only a few short days. Took me back to when I first received my Kit doll when I was 9 years old. Now; I have both a greater appreciation and a greater understanding of the time period as well as American Girl & what they stand for itself. 🩵
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