Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl during the Great Depression accidentally solves a crime while trying to become a famous writer, teaching us that economic downturns are just awesome mystery-solving opportunities!

🍿 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Kit and Her World

In 1934 Cincinnati, during the Great Depression, Kit Kittredge is a bright, aspiring journalist. She spends her time writing stories in her treehouse, dreaming of seeing her name in the local paper. Her family enjoys a comfortable life, but the economic hardships of the era are looming.

The Depression Hits Home

Kit’s father, Jack, loses his car dealership, forcing him to seek work in Chicago. To make ends meet, Kit’s mother, Margaret, turns their home into a boarding house. A colorful cast of characters, including a magician, a dancer, and a mobile librarian, become their new housemates.

Mystery and Suspicion Arise

With the arrival of Will and Countee, two young hobos, Kit finds inspiration for her writing. However, a series of robberies in the neighborhood leads to suspicion falling on the hobos, especially when valuables are stolen from the boarding house. Kit, determined to uncover the truth, embarks on an investigation with her friends.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin): A determined and aspiring young reporter growing up during the Great Depression, who solves a local mystery.
• Margaret Kittredge (Julia Ormond): Kit’s resilient mother who takes in boarders to support her family during the Depression.
• Jack Kittredge (Chris O’Donnell): Kit’s father who leaves home to find work in Chicago after losing his car dealership.
• Jefferson Berk (Stanley Tucci): A seemingly charming magician who is secretly a con artist preying on boarding house residents.
• Will Shepherd (Max Thieriot): A teenage hobo who becomes a suspect in a series of robberies, but is later exonerated by Kit.
• Miss Bond (Joan Cusack): A quirky mobile librarian who is involved with Mr. Berk and other con artists.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kit Kittredge: “Do you swear allegiance to the Treehouse Club?” – Kit, as the leader of the Treehouse Club, asks this during their secret initiation ceremony.
• Kit Kittredge: “I will laugh in their faces.” – Florence initially says this line during the club initiation ceremony when she is supposed to say ‘I will decline’.
• Kit Kittredge: “This is a great story and I’m going to write it” – Kit said this with great determination as she was inspired.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,657,973
• Worldwide Gross: $17,657,973

💥 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored this movie! It really brought the American Girl books to life. Seeing Abigail Breslin as Kit was perfect casting, and the storyline was both heartwarming and engaging. I loved how the film portrayed the struggles of the Great Depression through a child’s eyes. The scene where Kit finally gets her article published gave me chills – it’s a reminder to never give up on your dreams. If you enjoyed the books as a kid, or are looking for a wholesome family film, definitely give this one a watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families”
  • “Children interested in history”
  • “Fans of Abigail Breslin”
  • “Viewers looking for wholesome entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Themes of economic hardship”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “This movie emphasizes kindness and empathy during hard times. Abigail Breslin shines, and the film offers an accessible glimpse into the Great Depression, making it an ideal family watch. The mystery is engaging, and the characters are endearing.
• AllMovie: “Charming and well-intentioned, *Kit Kittredge: An American Girl* offers a wholesome take on the Depression era. While somewhat predictable, the movie is elevated by strong performances, especially from Abigail Breslin, and offers valuable lessons about resilience and community.
• Variety: “A sweet and earnest tale, but also fairly formulaic. Breslin is delightful in the lead, and the film offers a safe, family-friendly introduction to a challenging period in American history. A positive message about perseverance shines throughout.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the positive messages about family, friendship, and perseverance.: Many fans praised Abigail Breslin’s performance and the film’s depiction of the Great Depression in a child-friendly way.

The mystery aspect kept viewers engaged and the resolution was satisfying.: The film’s values, such as empathy and helping others, resonated strongly with audiences.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and educational family film that presents a sanitized but engaging look at the Great Depression through the eyes of a young girl with aspirations of being a reporter, with many highlighting Breslin’s performance as Kit.

Awards

1. Young Artist Awards (Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress)- 2009

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Abigail Breslin wore a blonde wig for her role as Kit Kittredge to match the character’s appearance in the American Girl books.”
• “The movie was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with specific locations chosen to replicate Cincinnati, Ohio, during the Great Depression.”
• “Several characters in the film are not present in the original ‘American Girl’ books, which allowed for a different adaptation of the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kit Kittredge: An American Girl?

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, you might like these similar films:

• A Little Princess (1995): Both films feature a young girl demonstrating resilience and optimism amidst challenging circumstances and financial hardship.
• Newsies (1992): Focuses on young people fighting for fair treatment and social justice during a historical period, similar to Kit’s investigative journalism.
• Matilda (1996): Features a strong, intelligent young female protagonist who uses her wit and determination to overcome obstacles.
• The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015): Another strong female character who goes through difficult times and finds out what family truly means.

🛒 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Related Products

• American Girl: Kit Kittredge (The Complete Story): This audiobook is a great way to dive deeper into Kit’s world and learn more about the historical context of the Great Depression. This digital product is available on Amazon via Audible.
• American Girl: Kit Kittredge Doll & Book Set: The original Kit Kittredge doll from American Girl. Comes with her signature outfit and a copy of the book that inspired the movie.
• 1930s Style Dress – Great Depression Era Inspired: A beautifully crafted dress inspired by the fashion of the 1930s, designed for both adults and children, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the style of Kit’s world. Sourced from various sellers on Amazon.
• Vintage Typewriter – Decorative Replica: A vintage-style typewriter replica, reminiscent of Kit’s writing tool in the film. Perfect for display or as a prop.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ain’t We Got Fun” – performed by Renee Olstead

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Meet: Kit Kittredge’s & Storytelling Basics with Z | #AGZCREW Episode 2 | @AmericanGirl

Ever wondered how stories are made? This video from American Girl dives into storytelling basics using Kit Kittredge as an example! It’s actually super insightful and makes you appreciate the movie even more.

American Girl Doll Celebrity Look A Likes!!!

Okay, this video is a bit of fun – it matches celebrities to American Girl dolls, including Kit! See if you agree with their pick for who looks most like Kit (and Abigail Breslin!).

ABIGAIL BRESLIN ANS ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEW

Want to hear from Abigail Breslin herself about playing Kit? This interview is a great peek behind the scenes and into her thoughts on the movie and the character. It’s cute and insightful!

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