Continuing to disrupt the format with later series, Caroline has a birthday in the second book! As I ponder the typical "school/learns a lesson" role of book 2 in American Girl series, it occurs to me I'm not even sure if Caroline attends class or if 30 years out from Felicity Merriman's time she learns at home from family. I'm inclined to think the latter, especially given her sailing-specific knowledge.

I'm digressing from the main point by talking about meta aspects. Caroline's Secret Message is a good adventure, with a mission to deliver information covertly to her father and the introduction of possible rival/actually new best friend Rhonda. ( )

This book is a part of a series in the American Girl collection about Caroline Abbott, girl growing up in Sackets harbor, New York during the war of 1812. Caroline and her family are concerned about her father, who is being held in a British prison, and even though this story revolves around tragedy and war hardships, there are also elements of friendship, family, and Caroline's every day life. This is a good example of a chapter book, but also of the historical fiction genre because the story line takes place during the historic time period of the war in 1812, showing how it affected women, children, and families.

O is really enjoying this series. She has done a little bit of sewing so she found the map Caroline made very intriguing. I just wish the books weren't so short. The whole set could have been a book and a half rather than five short ones. ( )