Online Newsletter #54

Spring 2011


New 2011 Historical Information!

Thanks to poster Yesterdays_Today on the American Girl Fans Message Board, we not only have a list of books to be released in 2011 (see article below), but the listings for the historical books give us lots of bits of information on the two (yes, two!) historical girls to be released this fall! We now know the following facts: There are two characters, their names are Marie-Grace and Cecile, they share a book series written by two authors, and their stories are set sometime in the 19th century! (That last tidbit can be found in the amazon.com listings for the books--search for "New Historical Character American Girl.") Another poster on AGFMB states that author Denise Lewis Patrick writes stories about black characters. Can we take that as a clue? We will have to wait until the fall to find out. Amazon.com lists the publishing date as August 30, 2011.

Marie-Grace & Cecile Boxed Set
Sarah Masters Buckey, Denise Lewis Patrick, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 1 [Not Final Title]
Sarah Masters Buckey, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 2 [Not Final Title]
Denise Lewis Patrick, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 3 [Not Final Title]
Sarah Masters Buckey, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 4 [Not Final Title]
Denise Lewis Patrick, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 5 [Not Final Title]
Sarah Masters Buckey, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

Marie-Grace & Cecile Book 6 [Not Final Title]
Denise Lewis Patrick, Christine Kornacki, Cindy Salans Rosenheim

These listings also explain why we thought some time ago that there might be historical characters named Denise and Sarah. They weren't the characters' names, they were the authors' names!



AG to open Seattle-area Store

Later this year, American Girl will be opening another store, in Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Washington, near Seattle. The store will be 12,500 square feet and include a restaurant. See the Seattle Times article here.



2011 Books

Thank you to Yesterdays_Today for the following information, gleaned from professional library resources:

New Historical Character Just for Fun The Make-it, Play-it, Solve-it Book of Fun!
Teri Witkowski, Peggy Jo Ackley

New Historical Character Play Scenes & Paper Dolls Decorate Rooms and Act Out Scenes from New Historical Character Stories!
Erin Falligant, Peggy Jo Ackley

Josefina Treasure Tote [also Treasure Totes for Felicity, Rebecca, Julie, Kit, and Molly]
Girls can discover tiny treasures within this little tote-all inspired by Josefina! It's filled with goodies that offer a peek into Josefina's historical world: a mini abridged book, mini paper dolls with play scenes and dress-up stickers, a pencil pal, a doodle card, a puzzle page, a mini craft, and more.

A Surprise Find
Erin Falligant, Arcana Studios
Readers can imagine themselves as the main character of this interactive story, a girl who is trying to help her friends with Innerstar University's clothing drive. The problem is, she can't seem to part with any of her things! Everything she owns reminds her of something or someone, like the handmade bracelet from her best friend. When the bracelet goes missing, she panics. Can she track it down before it ends up in someone else's hands? With more than 20 different endings, girls will enjoy this addition to the Innerstar University series again and again to see how their decisions change the story. Plus, this book comes with a secret access code to unlock additional endings online!

Dive Right in
Alison Hart, Arcana Studios
Readers can imagine themselves as the main character of this interactive story, a girl who has worked hard to become a good diver. She's one of the best on the team, until her spot is threatened by the success of a friend. Does she switch sports and try something else? Does she swallow her pride and support her friend? And if she sticks with the diving team, can she ever be satisfied with second place? With more than 20 different endings, girls will enjoy this addition to the Innerstar University series again and again to see how their decisions change the story. Plus, this book comes with a secret access code to unlock additional endings online!

Innerstar University 4-Story Set: Braving the Lake
Erin Falligant, Alison Hart, Laurie Calkhoven
The world of Innerstar University comes to life in this four-book set! Readers can imagine themselves as the main character of each interactive story: swimming at Starfire Lake, hiking in the woods, teaching puppy tricks, or riding horses. With more than 20 different endings per book, girls can enjoy these stories again and again. Plus, each book comes with a secret access code to unlock more endings online! Includes Braving the Lake, Fork in the Trail, A Girl's Best Friend, and Taking the Reins.

Innerstar University 4-Story Set: A Winning Goal
Erin Falligant, Alison Hart, Laurie Calkhoven
The world of Innerstar University comes to life in this four-book set! Readers can imagine themselves as the main character of each interactive story: scoring goals, dancing on-stage, solving a mystery, or doing a perfect dive. With more than 20 different endings per book, girls can enjoy these stories again and again. Plus, each book comes with a secret access code to unlock more endings online! Includes A Winning Goal, Into the Spotlight, A Surprise Find, and Dive Right In.

Design by Me Wings: Fancy Art & Fun Display Ideas!
Trula Magruder, Carolyn Gavin
Girls will love coloring their own fancy fairies, elaborate insects, and elegant birds! Large fold-out posters, special foil- and flocked-art pages, and intricate art designs promise hours and hours of fun! When girls are finished with an art piece, this book offers creative ways to make a craft from their work to decorate their bedroom or share with a friend. Includes coloring tips, display ideas, a portfolio, and a frame to help girls store or showcase their art.

Design by Me Tropical: Fancy Art & Fun Display Ideas!
Trula Magruder, Jen Skelley Duval
Girls will love designing their own tangled jungles, busy beaches, and detailed undersea art! Large fold-out posters, special foil- and flocked-art pages, and intricate art designs promise hours and hours of coloring fun! When girls are finished with an art piece, this book offers creative ways to make a craft from their work to decorate their bedroom or share with a friend. Includes coloring tips, display ideas, a portfolio, and a frame to help girls store or showcase their art.

Just Grandma and Me: The Fill-In, Tear-Out, Fold-Up Book of Fun for Girls and Their Grandmas (Book)
Trula Magruder, Stacy Peterson
This book is filled with great ways for girls to have fun with their grandmas! Together, they can take quizzes to get to know each other better, make a collection of crafts, and explore fun ideas for staying connected. Tear-outs include notes, recipe cards, coupons, and more.

Lists: A Year of Stuff about Me
Mary Richards, Julia Bereciartu, Lisa Wilber
What's the stuff that makes every girl unique? From funny friendship memories to favorite songs to what she'd do with a million bucks, girls can list it all in this revealing book. It's sprinkled with advice and prompts to get ideas flowing, and includes starry stickers girls can use to mark important pages.

Stand Up for Yourself Journal: Quizzes and Questions to Help You Stand Strong Against Bullying
Patti Kelley Criswell, Angela Martini
A companion to Stand Up for Yourself & Your Friends, this journal includes quizzes, questions, charts, and checklists that help girls learn how to stand up to bullying and bossiness. Girls can practice the words they might say in sticky situations and even track their progress along the way. Plus, the journal comes with 20 "Care Cards" to tear out and share with friends and classmates.

Doll Tees Felt Fashions
Carrie Anton, Camela Decaire
These tiny tees are sure to please! With more than 30 one-of-a-kind designs, girls can fashion the perfect doll-sized tee to fit almost any occasion. Kit includes: a 32-page book packed with colorful photographs and simple instructions, two doll tees, and stencil sheets girls can use to make a multitude of fun designs.

Paper Shapers Chic Boutique: 3-D Crafts to Make and Display
Mary Beth Cryan, Camela Decaire
Inside this book, girls will find paper clothing, accessories, and furniture waiting to be folded and displayed in two different pull-out and pop-up boutique scenes. Each shop and boutique piece is fun to assemble and set up, and they make darling desk displays or great little gifts for friends and family. All she'll need is a glue stick-everything else is included!

Feeling Great: A Girls Guide to Mixing Fitness, Friends, and Fun
Carrie Anton
There's no better time to get active than now! Exercise can lead to a strong, healthy body, a boost in self-confidence; and, when girls mix in their friends, a whole lot of fun. In this book, girls will find lots of fun activities to do with friends, including strength exercises, yoga poses, and games to play. They'll find tips for achieving goals, tasty snack ideas, and answers to questions from real girls.

American Girl: Doll Hair Studio, Styling Tips and Tricks for Your Doll, Learn 50 Fun Styles!



Monthly Membership Stats

Here are the latest monthly membership stats:

New members in February: 3
New members in March: 2
New state: South Carolina
Total members: 664



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