American Girl (book series) explained

American Girl
Country:United States
Language:English
Genre:Historical fiction
Publisher:American Girl
Pub Date:1986 - current
Media Type:Print (Hardcover and Paperback)

The American Girl series, by various authors, is a collection of novels set within toy line's fictional universe. Since its inception, American Girl has published books based on the dolls, with novels and other media to tie in with their dolls. The books follow various American girls throughout both historical eras and contemporary settings.[1]

The historical novels that have corresponding dolls are referred to as the Central Series. There is also the Girl of the Year line of characters from contemporary settings.[2]

A related series entitled History Mysteries, also known as Mysteries Through Time and/or Mysteries through History was released by American Girl in 1999 and discontinued in 2004.

Historical Characters & Beforever

The Historical Characters line featured dolls representing girls from various historical eras. Each doll had a series of six books that followed a standard structure, which were known as the Central Series. These books covered topics such as school, holidays, birthdays, and overcoming challenges. They also had a standard naming convention of Meet (Name), (Name) Learns a Lesson, (Name)'s Surprise, Happy Birthday, (Name)!, (Name) Saves the Day, and Changes for (Name). The series began to deviate from this rigid naming structure in 2002 with the introduction of the character of Kaya, whose lifestyle did not include birthdays or a formal winter holiday. Despite changing the naming structure, the series continued to have six books that covered about two years of the character's life. In 2014, American Girl rebranded the Historical Characters line into Beforever.[3] With this rebranding came a modification of the series structure. The books were condensed into two volumes, which each covered three of the original books. New characters were released with two books in their series. In 2019 the line was changed back to the Historical Characters name. The books were republished without Beforever on the cover, but the two volume structure remained.

In addition to the Central Series, some characters received mysteries. These are set either during the central series or after the events of those books. They are longer than the original books, and often cover heavier or more nuanced topics. There are also short stories, which also take place during or after the main series but are much shorter, and often corresponded with outfits or accessories for the dolls. The characters available during the Beforever branding also received "My Journey" books which were "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" style stories where a modern girl went back in time to meet the main character. There are assorted other books related to the historical characters, including ones showing what happened between books, explaining historical context, or other stories, that vary based on character.

Central Series

Kirsten Larson (1854–1856)

  1. Meet Kirsten: An American Girl. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986)
  2. Kirsten Learns a Lesson: A School Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986)
  3. Kirsten's Surprise: A Christmas Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986)
  4. Happy Birthday, Kirsten! A Springtime Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1987)
  5. Kirsten Saves the Day: A Summer Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1988)
  6. Changes for Kirsten: A Winter Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1988)

Samantha Parkington (1904–1906) The Samantha novels were first illustrated by Nancy Niles. Later editions were illustrated by Dan Andreasen.

  1. Meet Samantha: An American Girl. by Susan S. Adler (1986)
  2. Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School Story. by Susan S. Adler (1986)
  3. Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story. by Maxine Rose Schur (1986)
  4. Happy Birthday, Samantha! by Valerie Tripp (1987)
  5. Samantha Saves the Day. by Valerie Tripp (1988)
  6. Changes for Samantha. by Valerie Tripp (1988)

Molly McIntire (1944–1946)

  1. Meet Molly by Valerie Tripp (1986)
  2. Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1986)
  3. Molly's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1986)
  4. Happy Birthday, Molly! by Valerie Tripp (1987)
  5. Molly Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1988)
  6. Changes for Molly by Valerie Tripp (1988)

Felicity Merriman (1774–1776)

  1. Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp (1991)
  2. Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1991)
  3. Felicity's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1991)
  4. Happy Birthday, Felicity! by Valerie Tripp (1992)
  5. Felicity Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1992)
  6. Changes for Felicity by Valerie Tripp (1992)

Addy Walker (1864–1866)

  1. Meet Addy by Connie Rose Porter (1993)
  2. Addy Learns a Lesson by Connie Rose Porter (1993)
  3. Addy's Surprise by Connie Rose Porter (1993)
  4. Happy Birthday, Addy! by Connie Rose Porter (1994)
  5. Addy Saves the Day by Connie Rose Porter (1994)
  6. Changes for Addy by Connie Rose Porter (1994)

Josefina Montoya (1824–1826)

  1. Meet Josefina by Valerie Tripp (1997)
  2. Josefina Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1997)
  3. Josefina's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1997)
  4. Happy Birthday, Josefina! by Valerie Tripp (1998)
  5. Josefina Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1998)
  6. Changes for Josefina by Valerie Tripp (1998)

Margaret Mildred "Kit" Kittredge (1932–1935)

  1. Meet Kit by Valerie Tripp (2000)
  2. Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (2000)
  3. Kit's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (2000)
  4. Happy Birthday, Kit! by Valerie Tripp (2001)
  5. Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (2001)
  6. Changes for Kit by Valerie Tripp (2001)

Kaya'aton'my (1764–1766)

  1. Meet Kaya by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
  2. Kaya's Escape! by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
  3. Kaya's Hero by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
  4. Kaya and Lone Dog by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
  5. Kaya Shows the Way by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
  6. Changes for Kaya by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)

Julie Albright (1974–1977)

  1. Meet Julie by Megan McDonald (2007)
  2. Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald (2007)
  3. Happy New Year, Julie! by Megan McDonald (2007)
  4. Julie and the Eagles by Megan McDonald (2007)
  5. Julie's Journey by Megan McDonald (2007)
  6. Changes for Julie by Megan McDonald (2007)

Rebecca Rubin (1914–1916)

  1. Meet Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
  2. Rebecca and Ana by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
  3. Candlelight for Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
  4. Rebecca and the Movies by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
  5. Rebecca to the Rescue by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
  6. Changes for Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)

Cécile Rey & Marie-Grace Gardner (1853–1854)

  1. Meet Marie-Grace by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011)
  2. Meet Cécile by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011)
  3. Marie-Grace and the Orphans by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011)
  4. Troubles for Cécile by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011)
  5. Marie-Grace Makes a Difference by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011)
  6. Cécile's Gift by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011)

Caroline Abbott (1812–1813)

  1. Meet Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
  2. Caroline's Secret Message by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
  3. A Surprise for Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
  4. Caroline Takes a Chance by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
  5. Caroline's Battle by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
  6. Changes for Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012)

Best Friend Books

Beforever and Post-Beforever

Samantha Parkington (1904-1906)

Molly McIntire (1944-1946)

Felicity Merriman (1774-1776)

Addy Walker (1864-1866)

Josefina Montoya (1824-1826)

Kit Kittredge (1932-1935)

Kaya'aton'my (1764-1766)

Julie Albright (1974-1977)

Rebecca Rubin (1914-1916)

Caroline Abbott (1812-1813)

Maryellen Larkin (1954-1956)

Melody Ellison (1963-1964)

Nanea Mitchell (1941-1942)

Courtney Moore (1986-1987)

Claudie Wells (1922)

Isabel and Nicki Hoffman (1999)

Historical Character Mysteries

Kirsten Larson (1854-1856)

Samantha Parkington (1904-1906)

Molly McIntire (1944-1946)

Felicity Merriman (1774-1776)

Addy Walker (1864-1866)

Josefina Montoya (1824-1826)

Kit Kittredge (1932-1935)

Kaya'aton'my (1764-1766)

Julie Albright (1974-1977)

Rebecca Rubin (1914-1916)

Cécile Rey & Marie-Grace Gardner (1853-1854)

Caroline Abbott (1812-1813)

Maryellen Larkin (1954-1956)

Melody Ellison (1963-1964)

Nanea Mitchell (1941-1942)

Short stories

Kirsten Larson (1854-1856)

Samantha Parkington (1904-1906)

Molly McIntire (1944-1946)

Felicity Merriman (1774-1776)

Addy Walker (1864-1866)

Josefina Montoya (1824-1826)

Kit Kittredge (1932-1935)

Kaya'aton'my (1764-1766)

Miscellaneous Historical Books

Kirsten Larson (1854-1856)

Samantha Parkington (1904-1906)

Molly McIntire (1944-1946)

Felicity Merriman (1774-1776)

Addy Walker (1864-1866)

Josefina Montoya (1824-1826)

Kit Kittredge (1932-1935)

Kaya'aton'my (1764-1766)

Julie Albright (1974-1977)

Rebecca Rubin (1914-1916)

Cécile Rey & Marie-Grace Gardner (1853-1854)

Caroline Abbott (1812-1813)

Melody Ellison (1963-1964)

Nanea Mitchell (1941-1942)

Multiple Characters

There are some books that incorporate stories and characters from multiple of the Historical Characters series.

Little Golden Books

Beginning in 2021, to celebrate their 35th anniversary, American Girl released several Little Golden Books which retold stories from the Historical Character's books for a younger audience. The books combined stories from different series under a common theme, such as birthdays or holidays.

Girl of the Year

Lindsey Bergman (2001)

Kailey Hopkins (2003)

Marisol Luna (2005)

Jess McConnell (2006)

Nicki Fleming (2007)

Mia St. Clair (2008)

Chrissa Maxwell (2009)

Lanie Holland (2010)

Kanani Akina (2011)

McKenna Brooks (2012)

Saige Copeland (2013)

Isabelle Palmer (2014)

Grace Thomas (2015)

Lea Clark (2016)

Gabriela McBride (2017)

Luciana Vega (2018)

Blaire Wilson (2019)

Joss Kendrick (2020)

Kira Bailey (2021)

Corinne Tan (2022)

Kavi Sharma (2023)

Lila Monetti (2024)

Contemporary Characters

Tenney Grant

  1. Tenney by Kellen Hertz (2017)
  2. Tenney in the Key of Friendship by Kellen Hertz (2017)
  3. Tenney Shares the Stage by Kellen Hertz (2017)
  4. A Song for the Season by Kellen Hertz (2017)

Z Yang

  1. The Real Z by Jen Calonita (2017)
  2. Z On Location by J.J. Howard (2017)

World by Us

History Mysteries

The series comprises a total of 22 books by various authors and forms a companion series to the popular American Girl books; unlike Girl of the Year and other lines, they do not come with any doll or toy and acts as a stand-alone novel set in a particular period in American history. The characters were generally older, ranging from ages ten to fourteen, and the books were marketed as for ages ten and up. Many of the authors from this series later moved on to write for the Central Series. Several books from the series were later re-released in digital form by Open Road Integrated Media.

Titles in order of publication:

  1. The Smuggler's Treasure by Sarah Masters Buckey (1812, New Orleans) (1999)
  2. Hoofbeats of Danger by Holly Hughes (1860, Nebraska Territory) (1999)
  3. The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (1918, North Carolina) (1999)
  4. Voices at Whisper Bend by Katherine Ayres (1942, Pennsylvania) (1999)
  5. Secrets on 26th Street by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (1912, Chelsea) (1999)
  6. Mystery of the Dark Tower by Evelyn Coleman (1928, Harlem) (2000)
  7. Trouble at Fort La Pointe by Kathleen Ernst (1732, Lake Superior) (1999)
  8. [4] Under Copp's Hill by Katherine Ayres (1908, Boston) (2000)
  9. Watcher in the Piney Woods by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (1865, Virginia) (2000)
  10. Shadows in the Glasshouse by Megan McDonald (1621, Jamestown) (2000)
  11. The Minstrel's Melody by Eleanora E. Tate (1904, Calico Creek and St. Louis) (2001)
  12. Riddle of the Prairie Bride by Kathryn Reiss (1878, Kansas) (2001)
  13. Enemy in the Fort by Sarah Masters Buckey (1754, New Hampshire) (2001)
  14. Circle of Fire by Evelyn Coleman (1958, Middle Tennessee) (2001)
  15. Mystery on Skull Island by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (1724, Charles Town, South Carolina) (2001)
  16. Whistler in the Dark by Kathleen Ernst (1867, Chicago and the Colorado Territory) (2002)
  17. Mystery at Chilkoot Pass by Barbara Steiner (1897, Yukon, Alaska) (2002)
  18. The Strange Case of Baby H by Kathryn Reiss (1906, San Francisco) (2002)
  19. Danger at the Wild West Show by Alison Hart (1886, Louisville, Kentucky) (2003)
  20. Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic by Sarah Masters Buckey (1925, New Jersey) (2003)
  21. Ghost Light on Graveyard Shoal by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (1895, Glenn Island, Virginia) (2003)
  22. Betrayal at Cross Creek by Kathleen Ernst (1775-1776, North Carolina) (2004)

Girls of Many Lands

Girls of Many Lands was a collection of dolls and books focusing on girls from different historical periods and countries around the world. The line was aimed towards an older demographic than the Historical Characters line, as they were smaller more delicate dolls, and longer books with more complex themes. The line had eight characters total, and was available from 2002 to 2005.

Wellie Wishers

The Wellie Wishers line of dolls was introduced in 2016 to appeal to a younger demographic. Books can be purchased with the dolls, or separately. The books focus on the main characters playing in their backyard and visiting fantasy worlds.

Titles in order of publication:

  1. Ashlyn's Unsurprise Party by Valerie Tripp (2016)
  2. The Muddily-Puddily Show by Valerie Tripp (2016)
  3. The Riddle of the Robin by Valerie Tripp (2016)
  4. Camille's Mermaid Tale by Valerie Tripp (2017)
  5. The Rainstorm Brainstorm by Valerie Tripp (2017)
  6. The Mystery of Mr. E by Valerie Tripp (2017)
  7. Willa's Wilderness Campout by Valerie Tripp (2018)
  8. Emerson and Princess Peep by Valerie Tripp (2018)
  9. The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival by Valerie Tripp (2018)
  10. The Princesses and the Dragon by Valerie Tripp (2022)
  11. Teamwork Magic by Valerie Tripp (2022)
  12. A Fin-tastic Surprise by Valerie Tripp (2023)
  13. Ready to be Royal by Valerie Tripp (2023)

There is a line of Scholastic Reader books that retell episodes of the animated series, or contain information about the show. These include:

  1. Ashlyn's Fall Fiesta by Meredith Rusu (2018)
  2. Emerson Is Mighty Girl! by Meredith Rusu (2018)
  3. Kendall's Snow Fort by Meredith Rusu (2018)
  4. Meet the WellieWishers by Judy Katschke (2018)
  5. Sunny Day Scavenger Hunt by Meredith Rusu (2018)
  6. Willa's Butterfly Ballet by Judy Katschke (2018)
  7. Pony Surprise by Meredith Rusu (2019)

Notes and References

  1. News: Meet Julie - Megan McDonald - Robert Hunt - Book Review. Wolitzer. Meg. 11 November 2007. The New York Times. 22 November 2015.
  2. News: Book review: American Girl of the Year 'Grace' shares her adventures in Paris. Morgenegg. Faith. 21 February 2015. Deseret News. 22 November 2015.
  3. News: American Girl Unveils BeForever™ Line and Connects a New Generation of Girls to Timeless Stories, Inspiring Characters, and Endless Possibilities! . 11 July 2022 . www.businesswire.com . Business Wire . 28 August 2014 . Business Wire . en.
  4. Web site: Katherine Ayres Writer Under Copp's Hill. www.katherineayres.com. 2017-03-04.

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