We begin with Josefina, by way of a brief introduction...

 
Josefina an American Girl (The American Girls Collection) - This series explores the life of Josefina Montoya, a nine (and by series end, ten) year old girl living in 1820's New Mexico.

Recommended age range - 8 and up (according to the publisher)

Recurring themes found in the series - Family Bonds, Grief and Loss, Personal and Community Responsibility, Overcoming Obstacles, Conquering Fears

Historical background - New Mexico in 1824 was not a part of the United States. It was a part of Mexico, which had achieved independence from Spain in 1821.

Religious content*- Josefina and her family are Catholic, and references to prayers and Christian religious celebrations, rituals and beliefs are throughout the books.**

Why did I choose to include this series of books for the YLHFS blog? 
1- Easily accessible.
2 - Reader-friendly introduction to the historical fiction genre.
3 - Strong female characters.
4 - The books' historical content has been authenticated by an advisory board listed in the back of each book.
5- Each book has a section of historical background information that relates to the story and helps place the story in its historical context. These background sections are well-done, with color photographs and colorful artwork and graphics.
6 - And, on a personal note, my daughter likes the "American Girl" franchise, so I was happy to use it to steer her toward an appreciation of history.

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*For explanation of why this is included in the overview, see FAQ.
**In my opinion, the religious content is not excessive in the context of the family's culture. To remove the religious aspect of the family's life would be inconsistent with the culture of the period.