Marisol

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant book for young girls
Review: I am an adult who bought the new American Girl doll, Marisol. Since the book comes with the doll, I thought I'd read it just for fun. I thought it was a pleasant, well-written book. I think it would especially appeal to girls ages 8-12 who like to dance. But I think this is also a good book for any child who is forced to move from the home and neighborhood they love and is having a hard time adjusting. Marisol is a good kid (possibly unrealistically so) who handles her family's move without much whining or complaining to her parents. She soon learns that the move may not be all bad. The new neighborhood is definitely quieter, and right next door is a girl in her exact grade who also likes to dance. The only real worry is that there is no dance studio in her new town, Des Plaines, IL, and Marisol lives to dance. When Marisol meets her soon-to-be ex-upstairs neighbor's daughter, a dance teacher, she tries to convince her to move to Des Plaines to open a dance studio. Marisol is a very persistent girl who doesn't take 'no' for an answer. I like the fact that the book has many Spanish words sprinkled throughout, and there's a small glossary in the back so readers can look up those words. The book has a slightly educational feel to it, but kids won't even notice it. They'll just enjoy the story.