Meet Josefina: An American Girl

Meet Josefina: An American Girl is a book in the American Girl historical fiction series centered on Josefina. Josefina and her sisters adjust to life without their mother on their New Mexico rancho in 1824.

The book was written by Valerie Tripp as part of American Girl's mission to teach history through relatable, character-driven storytelling aimed at middle-grade readers.

It is typically a slim paperback (or hardcover in early box-set editions) featuring an illustrated cover portraying Josefina in period-accurate dress, with black-and-white interior illustrations and a nonfiction historical note at the back called "Looking Back."

Collectors identify first-printing editions by the original cover art style, publisher imprint (Pleasant Company for early editions, later American Girl Publishing), and ISBN barcode placement. Reissues after the 2014 "BeForever" rebrand feature updated cover photography of the redesigned dolls rather than illustrated art.

Condition issues to check include spine creasing, yellowing pages, and missing dust jackets on hardcover box-set editions. Complete six-book box sets in good condition are more valuable than individual loose paperbacks, and early Pleasant Company printings can carry a modest collector premium over later reprints.