I suppose that's a project I can pursue: reading all the Best Friend books ([b:Good Luck, Ivy|976423|Good Luck, Ivy (American Girls Julie)|Lisa Yee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348021531l/976423._SX50_.jpg|961319] is my #1 of course, but that's because I still maintain Ivy should've been the 1970s MC, especially given AG decided she'd be the one to get a tv movie but that's my wishful 4th gen self wanting a historical character like me)

It's been a LONG time since I've read the Kit books- I think I might've actually read them at publication despite being too old for them, so I dimly remembered the Christmas issue where Kit and her mother were too proud (understandably so) to accept charity from Ruthie and her mother for Christmas activities. Still, hijinks ensue and it's a good thing Charlie accompanied Ruthie on her journey to save the Kittredges from eviction by going to a strange place to talk to a relative because otherwise my credulity would be a lil bit stretched...!

I know I said [b:Meet Claudie: An American Girl; 1922|61768449|Meet Claudie An American Girl; 1922 (American Girl Historical Characters)|Brit Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664900506l/61768449._SX50_.jpg|97391698] felt short while this is 75 pages... but I think it's because Claudie is in the era of doing two longer books instead of 6 short ones, so the length feels shorter because there aren't more books giving us more story/character development. Also, it was ENTIRELY coincidental to pick up the two books (20s and 30s, even) that discuss potential eviction and solutions to avoid kicking out all the boarders. ( )

Ruthie's got a bit of a reputation as a dreamer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing except the country is in the midst of The Great Depression. Her thoughts of princesses and happily-ever-afters begin to grate on her best friend Kit's nerves, especially since Kit's family is about to lose their house. So Ruthie and Kit hatch a plot to get the money from Kit's Aunt Millie, only nothing goes as planned.

I love Ruthie's dreaming, I love that she never really considers not helping her friend's family. It's just a given that she will because it's the right thing, the only thing, for her to do. Even when Kit gives up, Ruthie keeps trying to fix things. I like that for a brief moment Ruthie considers showing everyone that she's not just a flake, but then realizes it would embarrass the very people she's trying to help.

I think Ruthie's a sweetheart and this is definitely my favorite of the best friend books. ( )