Meet Kit Kittredge | @AmericanGirl

Summary

In 1934, during the Great Depression, Kit Kittredge faces the harsh reality of poverty when her father loses his job. To cope, her family starts renting rooms to boarders. Kit, inspired by her resourceful Aunt Millie, creates the 'Waste Not Want Not' Almanac, a collection of thrifty tips. When she encounters her father in a bread line and learns of Uncle Hendrik's prejudiced views, Kit takes a stand. She writes a letter to the editor, advocating for the less fortunate, which leads to increased donations to soup kitchens. The story highlights Kit's journey of self-discovery and her role in a broader world, emphasizing the importance of empathy and action.

Takeaways

• 📝 Kit Kittredge is inquisitive and wants to be a reporter, enjoying writing newsletters on her old typewriter.
• 📅 The story is set in 1934 during the Great Depression, which deeply affects Kit's hometown of Cincinnati.
• 🏠 Kit's family faces hardship when her father loses his job, and they are at risk of losing their home.
• 💡 Kit's mother comes up with the idea to earn money by serving meals and renting out rooms to boarders.
• 🧹 Kit has to help with housework and move her room to the attic, adjusting to new responsibilities.
• 🍲 One of the scariest moments for Kit is seeing her father in a breadline at the soup kitchen, shaking her sense of stability.
• ♻️ Aunt Millie teaches Kit to be resourceful, promoting the idea of 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.'
• 📚 Kit collects Aunt Millie's thrifty tips into a book called the 'Waste Not Want Not Almanac.'
• 📸 Kit stands up to her Uncle Hendrick by writing a letter to the editor, showing that not all hobos are thieves, and even includes photos to support her claim.
• 🎉 Kit's letter is printed in the newspaper, leading to donations to soup kitchens and making her proud of the impact her reporting had on the community.

Q & A

Who is Kit Kittredge and what are her aspirations?

Kit Kittredge is an inquisitive and curious girl who aspires to become a reporter when she grows up.

What gives Kit pleasure, and how does she practice her passion?

Kit enjoys writing newsletters for her family and friends, often using her clackety old typewriter.

What historical period does the story take place in, and how does it impact Kit's life?

The story is set in 1934 during the Great Depression, which greatly impacts Kit's life as her father loses his job and the family faces financial difficulties.

How does Kit's mother respond to the family's financial struggles?

Kit's mother decides to earn money by serving meals and renting out rooms in their house to boarders.

What role does Kit play in helping her family during the Great Depression?

Kit helps with housework and makes a new room for herself in the attic to accommodate boarders.

What frightening moment does Kit experience at the soup kitchen?

Kit is distressed when she sees her father in the bread line at the soup kitchen, which makes her feel that the stability of her home and family is crumbling.

What valuable lesson does Aunt Millie teach Kit, and how does Kit apply it?

Aunt Millie teaches Kit to be resourceful by using the motto 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.' Kit is inspired and collects these tips in a book called the 'Waste Not, Want Not Almanac.'

How does Uncle Hendrik's attitude affect Kit, and how does she respond?

Uncle Hendrik holds negative views about hobos, writing letters to the newspaper calling them thieves and beggars. Kit, having witnessed that many hobos are children, writes her own letter to the editor to defend them.

What impact does Kit's letter to the editor have?

Kit’s letter is published, and in response, generous donations are made to soup kitchens, helping those in need.

What larger theme does Kit's journey represent for children of her age?

Kit’s journey reflects how children at the ages of 9 and 10 start to realize they have a role to play in the world, and that their actions and words shape the kind of person they will become.