Women may have Sex and the City this summer, but girls have Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. While the former blockbuster is all about love and labels, the latter release focuses on history and the homefront. And, for every Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha — there's been a precocious character like Kit Kittredge who paved the way.

The movie, based on the popular American Girl books and dolls, is a must see for families looking for a flick with a message and entertainment value. Played by Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin, Kit Kittredge is a nine-year-old girl growing up in Cincinnati during the Great Depression. As the comfortable world she has known falls apart, she relies on her family's motto, "Don't let it beat you" and the support of her parents and friends to pull her though.

In order to hang on to their home, Kit's dad (Chris O'Donnell) sets out to Chicago to find work while Kit and her mother (Julia Ormond) take in boarders, an array of characters that include a dancer, a librarian and a magician, and befriend hobos. Laughter and tear inducing scenes ensue. Kit's an aspiring reporter whose fact finding missions lead her to solve a series of robberies. While many young ladies grow up with Barbie or Bratz, American Girl offers more than those sexy plastic dolls. It speaks to the minds of lil women with its array of independent characters that are intelligent, inventive and principled. And, I'd prefer that for my daughter any day.

Lilsugar had the opportunity to chat with Chris O'Donnell about this poignant picture, so check back tomorrow for our interview with the real life father of five.
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