This is the fifth short story published about the American Girl, Josefina. The setting of this book is around the time period of "Josefina Learns a Lesson". Josefina's family has just experienced a terrible financial loss where a sudden flood killed many of the rancho's sheep. Tia Dolores and the girls have decided to recover the loss by weaving stored wool into wool blankets for trade to build up new a flock.

Josefina eagerly wants to please her Aunt with the new weaving business, but her sisters quickly turn on her for the hard work they now have to do "Thanks to Josefina". Teresita, Tia Dolores servant who teaches Josefina to weave, takes the discouraged Josefina on a walk to look for plants for dyes and gently helps her understand how many colors can contribute to each rug they weave. Soon, her sisters find something that they can genuinely thank Josefina for as they learn to work together more peacefully!

I enjoyed this short story because it integrated Josefina's skill and knowledge of plants, which was introduced in "Happy Birthday, Josefina". "Thanks to Josefina" identifies several regional plants for dyes, and includes a project where readers can make their own dye from an onion to tie-dye a t-shirt.

I'd write this review in Spanish, but my computer won't use the accents and such. So here it is, in English. I liked this book in Spanish--it was very well written. It follows a similar plot to the English version, where Josefina and her sisters are not sure about what to do this Christmas because their mama died not long ago. They are just getting into the holiday spirit when Josefina and her sisters discover that the altar cloth that their mama made has been destroyed because of the flood. Josefina is determined to find Nina, the doll her mother made to be passed down from sister to sister. Josefina and her sisters end up enjoying Christmas--I'll not give away the ending. The book was even better to read in Spanish, where the traditions and songs seem to make more sense than they do in the English version. Jose Moreno doesn't lose any of the story that was written by Valerie Tripp, the book is a good, recommended read in both languages!

I like that there is a glossary of Spanish words at the end of the book, because I know that if I ever go to Mexico, I will know how to say thank-you and stuff like that (gracias). The idea of a maid teaching Josephina and Josephina being so eager to learn makes me stunned. I think that you will very much enjoy the pictures, as I did. I did not recognize the dyes that the girls used to dye the wool, but from the pictures I understood that they were very beautiful. (Carmelle, Age 8)

This is another one of the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl (almost ten!) living in the New Mexico of 1824. When a flashflood brings disaster to her father's rancho, Josefina's aunt Dolores suggests that they begin weaving blankets that they can trade. Josefina throws herself into the work, eager to help the family, but one of her sisters is holding back, and Josefina needs to find out why.

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at schooling in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations are nothing short of excellent, and add so much to this wonderful story.

This is another of the excellent stories that American Girls presents. This one also has a fine lesson, while the story is highly entertaining. Also, I do enjoy the way the author has realistically woven Josefina's religion into her daily life; religion is something lacking in most American Girls stories. My eleven-year-old daughter and I read this book together; we both enjoyed it, and we both recommend it to you.

Nine year old Josefina Montoya is growing up on a rancho in New Mexico in 1824. When Josefina's Tia Dolores comes to visit to Montoyas, Josefina learns about a world beyond the rancho-a world of elegance. But Josefina and her sisters begin to worry that Tia Dolores will replace Mama, who died last year. And then disaster strikes. The Montoyas lose most of their sheep in a terrible flood. Tia Dolores comes to the rescue with the suggestion that the Montoyas weave blankets to sell so that they can get new sheep. But more and more, Josefina and her sisters begin to believe that all the new ideas their aunt has brought will make them forget all that Mama taught them. Then, Tia Dolores begins to teach the girls to read and write. Mama couldn't read and write, and Josefina and her sisters aren't sure she'd approve. More and more, Josefina must face many changes-both good and bad.

Josefina Saves the Day is about a girl age 10. She meets a american named Peter O'Toole, a scout for the wagon trail. Papa and Josefina trust Peter with their trades. Will Josefina get her trade? Will she and Francisa, and Clara, and Papa get what they want? To find out more read this book.

This is another one of the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, Josefina and her family travel to her grandfather's rancho to await the arrival of the wagon train from the United States. She meets her first American, Patrick O'Toole, a handsome scout for the wagon train. The family wants to trade blankets and mules with the Americans, but is this handsome young man trustworthy?

The final chapter is in an interesting and informative look at outdoor life in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations, warm and filled with emotion, add a great deal to the story, and are a welcome addition.

My daughter and I both liked this book. The story has its scary parts, but it also has a nice lesson, and I enjoy the frank look at life then and there. This is another excellent book, a worthwhile addition to your library.

Ten year old Josefina Montoya, her father, and two of her sisters are staying with Josefina's grandfather and grandmother in Sante Fe while they await the arrival of an American wagon train. Josefina and her sisters trust a young American trader with a deal. But then, before he pays them, he leaves town. Has he cheated them? Josefina and her sisters must go on a daring late night adventure to find out.

Is an American Girl book. It tells the story of how they lived back in 1824.I liked it so much that I'll give it 5 stars. Josefina's mom had died and tia Dolores changes Josefinas life. Josefina learns that even though someone or something is not with you or dies you should move on and meet new people and try new things. The book was exciting when Josefina faces her fear of a maen goat named Florecita. I thought it was well written. Other kids will enjoy it because it is a book that goes baack in timeto 1824 and what they did back then and how they lived.

This is the first in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. In this book, Josefina and her sisters wait for their grandfather to return from his annual trip to Mexico City. Each girl hopes that he will bring her her heart's desire. However, what Josefina desires is more complicated than what her sisters' desire: she wants her sisters to be at peace and her newly widowed father to be happy again. Can her grandfather bring such gifts? You must read to find out!

The final chapter is a fascinating and highly informative look into life in New Mexico in 1824. All the way through, Jean-Paul Tibbles beautiful illustrations help to make this a wonderful book.

This book is every bit as wonderful as the other American Girls books, and its look at Mexico is quite refreshing. My daughter has only recently begun to read about Josefina, and she loves the stories. I must admit that I love them too. In particular, I liked the fact that the family's religious faith is incorporated into the story. We both highly recommend this book to you.

Josefina is the newest American Girl! Another great character to a wonderful series. Josefina is a 9 year old Hispanic girl from 1824 New Mexico. Her Tia Delores comes (Tia means aunt in Spanish) and brings the most wonderful thing to the Montoya rancho. A piano! But the girls just suffered an awful loss, their mothers death. Can Tia Delores bring happiness to the house? Josefina must also overcome her fear of the mean, old goat who destroys one of her most favorite things.

I think other people should read it because it's nice how her father gives her something valuable to her. Also because it's kind of fun how they repair the church. I think Josefina took good care of the goat, Sombrita. [Karla Cortez]

Josefina is glad that her birthday is coming up. 9 going on to 10 was a great age to be! She could go on top of the church to replaster the church and help Tia Magandla, the healer, also her god-mother! She saved a life and got a kid named Somberetia, little shadow. To find out more, read this book!

This is another one of the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl (almost ten!) living in the New Mexico of 1824. In this book, Josefina finds joy in the work around her father's rancho, particularly nursing a newborn baby goat that has lost its mother. When she spends the day with her aunt Magdalena, the town's healer, she begins to think that she would also like to become a healer. But, there are big responsibilities that come with such a career. Tia Magdalena says that if she is to become a healer she will know...and Josefina may be about to find out!

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at growing up in New Mexico in 1824. And, as always, Jean-Paul Tibbles' beautiful illustrations make a wonderful addition to the text.

This book certainly goes a long way towards maintaining the tradition of excellence that one associates with the American Girls books. My daughter loves the stories, while I like the lessons that the author gently weaves throughout the book. My daughter and I both highly recommend this book to you.

I've read all the Josefina books! They are great! If you have a daugter who is 6 and up and interested in different cultures Buy her Josefina books. They are a little over priced.

Josefina (pronounced "ho-sa-FEE-nah") is a nine year old Hispanic girl growing up on a large rancho in New Mexico in 1824. The first story opens up with Josefina and her three older sisters finding comfort in daily chores while thinking about Mama, who had died a year before. Then, Abuelo (Grandfather) returns from a trip to Mexico City, bringing with him Tia (Aunt) Dolores. From then on, Tia Dolores is the catalyst for change. The educated, independent young aunt brings new beliefs about a woman's role and challenges the more tradional role that Mama had played in the family. Fortunately, Tia Dolores is a wise and gentle teacher who teaches Josefina that learning new things or doing things differently does not mean forgetting the old. Memories of Mama can be found in learning to read and write, repairing her embroidered altar cloth, celebrating Christmas, and in learning to care for the family and household. Josefina learns that her heart can embrace her cultural traditions while her spirit flies free on the wind of personal, family, and cultural changes.

New Mexico Hispanic traditions and the historical lifestyle are accurately portrayed through Josefina's daily routines. The focus on Josefina and her world makes the stories relevant and interesting to the readers. Readers learn about laundry, cooking and baking, food choices, gardens, trips to the river for water, friendships, family roles, manners and codes of conduct, and celebrations. Josefina's family faces tragedy in a flood, hard work to recover losses and maintain daily existance, the emotional conflict of change, and other choices appropriate to the world they live in. Additional historical information for each story is at the back of each book, making this a history lesson that goes down with a spoonful of sugar and much enjoyment.

Each book is only 4 chapters long, and if all you want out of it is a nice story, then this series will deliver it in a historical setting that is new to many readers. Because of the excellent research that was done, this series can be used for new students (children and adults) of Southwest history. However, those who want to look deeper will find that the themes of the stories work well with New Mexico history of the time. In 1821, the Santa Fe Trail opened up, bringing Americans to Santa Fe. They brought new goods, created a merchant class, and brought values that were more materialistic than either the Hispanic or Pueblo people had lived by. Josefina, like other members of the younger generation, would spend a lifetime learning about choices, change, and deciding what traditions to hang onto. The Hispanic culture did change, and the wealthy merchants adapted to an Americanized world while rural communities sought to continue to live by their cultural traditions. Either way, the world that Josefina and her sisters inherited would not hold for them the same roles, expectations, and choices that their grandmother had. It is a credit to the Hispanic people that they held onto so much because they did it against discrimination, and in the face of change. To this extent, Tia Dolores is the symbol of this coming change, and Mama is the traditions that they must choose to remember and honor. I reread this series occationally, and it still brings much to my life. Although the brevity of the books is deceptive, I would stick with the publishers recommended reading age of 8-12 (about second through sixth grades) because there is so much that can be learned and enjoyed in these books that a younger child may miss.

As a grown up, hispanic woman who grew up in New Mexico (whose grandmother's name was actually Josefina), I must say that these books are very factual and well written. Hispanic culture does not change much from generation to generation, and the depictions of the culturally rich traditions of a hispanic family from that area of the country are perfect. These books are a joy to read!

"Cambios para Josefina" is just as good as it's English counterpart. Josefina and her sisters are planning a fandango. It'll be the first time Josefina plays the piano during a fandango, and she's looking forward to it. While she plays the song, Josefina's father asks Tia Dolores to dance. The next day, Tia Dolores announces that she wants to leave the rancho and go to Santa Fe to live with her parents. Josefina and her sisters are determined to find a way to get Tia Dolores to stay. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the American Girls Collection and can read Josefina's stories in Spanish as well.

This book is by far better than its English counterpart, as is the case with all the Josefina books. The Spanish one tells a story similar to the English one: Josefina's birthday is coming up, the blanket weaving on the rancho is doing good, Josefina adopts Sombrita ("Little shadow") as a pet, and meets longtime friend Mariana as well. Josefina hopes to become a curandera some day like her godmother Tia Magdalena, until Josefina does somthing that makes her loose hope. It isn't until Josefina is "tested" that she gains that hope back. I recommend both versions of the book--the English and the Spanish--as both are very good and very well written.

Josefina's Story collection is a very nicely done book. It is edged in gold, has a ribbon bookmark, and a transparent dust jacket. It contains all six of her stories. My only complaint? That all of the Peek into the Past sections have been removed except for the last one, the one from Changes For Josefina. If this were truly a keepsake edition, it would contain all of the Peek into the Past sections as well as the stories.