A period piece set in the Great Depression and based on the extremely popular American Girl book series; Kit Kittredge is a moving and believable story about a smart 10-year-old girl whose family is profoundly affected by the Depression. May; 1934 finds Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin) living a very comfortable life in a nice home with her mother (Julia Ormond) and father (Chris O'Donnell) despite the Depression that is affecting many of her neighbors. When her father's auto dealership is taken back by the bank; Kit's father is forced to head for Chicago to look for work; leaving his family struggling to make ends meet by taking in borders. Kindhearted and generous by nature; Kit's nose for news and her aspirations of becoming a great reporter lead her to write a portrait of the boardinghouse run by her mother; essentially a kid's view of the Depression as well as an article about hobos that challenges many commonly held prejudices. Kit determinedly submits her articles to the local Cincinnati Register paper; regardless of the chief editor's stern ways and obvious lack of interest. When her own family and boarders become the victims of a crime; Kit's must utilize her investigative skills to solve the crime and exonerate her friend Will (Max Thieriot). Breslin's performance in this film is stellar--viewers can't help but believe that she is Kit Kittredge. The filmmakers' attention to detail ensures that everything from scenery props to music and dialogue seem completely authentic; and performances by Joan Cusack as the mobile librarian; Stanley Tucci as the traveling magician; Jane Krakowski as the desperate-for-love dance instructor; and Zach Mills as Kit's young friend; are all impressive. Serious American Girl fans; period film lovers; and viewers just looking for a good story will love this film. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi