It’s that time of year again! The time of year where American Girl doll fans of all ages start to wonder… they want to know… they just can’t wait… for the American Girl of the Year for the coming year. In this case it means we are all wanting to know just who the American Girl of the Year 2012 will be. I think we have been given some pretty good clues. I will be continuing to update this post as we get more information about the new doll, her story and sneak peeks.
HERE IS AN UPDATE (as of December 26):
Check: More Pictures of McKenna for a photo of her Loft Bed set
Here is another picture of the McKenna doll
Here is the long awaited photo of the AGOTY2012 doll McKenna Brooks from the Time Out Kids NY publication:
** Please remember that if you post this image or any image on this site (or any site for that matter) on another site you should ask permission and at a minimum be sure to always link back to your source.
And an ad for her books (sent in by Samantha):
HERE IS AN UPDATE (as of December 19):
It has been confirmed that the American Girl of the Year 2012 will be named McKenna Brooks. Supposedly the press have received their packets, but are under embargo (which means they agree to not say a word!) until December 26. Here’s hoping something surfaces before then, though. And I just found out that someone on the AGPlaythings message board has posted pictures of the GOTY 2012 book covers so it is just a matter of time before they show up elsewhere.
Here is a picture of McKenna the GOTY 2012:
Please note: I do not know the original source of this image. It was emailed to me, I have seen it on YouTube, have seen it posted on other blogs, and heard it was originally post on the AGPlaythings message board which I no longer have an account for.
There is also talk of McKenna having a new face mold – she is the first doll to have a “heart shaped” face – oh, the anticipation!
American Girl of the Year 2012 Books
We now have the official Library of Congress summaries. Looks like gymnastics, horses, disabilities awareness and teamwork are top themes in this series.
- McKenna – Girl of the Year 2012 Book 1 (American Girl Today)
by Mary Casanova – Seattle fourth-grader McKenna Brooks, who lives for gymnastics, struggles with school work until Josie, a tutor confined to a wheelchair, helps her with reading comprehension and much more. (Library of Congress summary)
- McKenna, Ready to Fly – Girl of the Year 2012 Book 2 (American Girl Today)
by Mary Casanova – When Seattle fourth-grader McKenna Brooks’ cast comes off she dives back into gymnastics training in hopes of making the competitive team, but after volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding center, she considers broadening her interests. (Library of Congress summary)
- Activity Book: Take the Challenge – Challenge yourself and others to these furiously fast and fabulously fun games! Includes timed challenges, art challenges, puzzle challenges, kindness challenges, family challenges, holiday challenges, and more! Fun facts, write-in logs, reward certificates, and other cool tools, will help you improve your skills, monitor your scores, and motivate yourself in work and play. So, go! (Description from Amazon)
On the American Girl in-store events page, quite a few events for the debut of the GOTY 2012 have been added. For example:
Girl of the Year 2012 Debut
Your girl will flip for our newest Girl of the Year! At this special event, she can be among the first to learn about this new character’s world. Join us for demonstrations, crafts, free giveaways, and more. Free and open to the public. For girls ages 8 and up.
Girl of the Year 2012 Celebration
She’ll do cartwheels for our Girl of the Year 2012! At this special event, your girl can be one of the first to learn about the newest contemporary character. Includes a delicious meal, fun activities, and an American Girl book to take home. Reservations required. For girls ages 8 and up.
A Movie in the Works
While there has been a lot of discussion as to whether the American Girl movie that is currently in production is the direct to DVD movie that will accompany the American Girl of the Year 2012 release or is the long rumored Julie, An American Girl Musical theatrical release, based on a photo posted on Twipic by Nia Vardalos which shows Nia, Olympic Gymnast Cathy Rigby and author Mary Casanova, I think it is safe to say that the movie is for the GOTY 2012 and not Julie.
The movie, which is currently untitled is being filmed in Winnepeg, Canada. According to IMDB the current cast includes:
- Jade Pettyjohn – McKenna Brooks
- Ysa Penarejo – I think she is the character Tammy
- Nia Vardalos- as McKenna’s Mother
- Ian Ziering- as McKenna’s Father
- Kerris Dorsey – Josie
- Will Woytowich
- Kadence Kendall Roach
- Paiten Raine Roach
The movie synopsis is:
AMERICAN GIRL Velma is a wonderfully spirited, strong-willed young gymnast with Olympic aspirations, whose whole world comes crashing down when she is unexpectedly sidelined by an injury. Unfocused, with her grades slipping; she meets a tutor “Jane” and learns a few choice life lessons about what really matters.
And possibly more about the main characters from National Feature Film Casting:
- McKenna - 9-12 years old. McKenna is a wonderfully spirited, strong willed, hard charging little girl whose whole world comes crashing down when she is unexpectedly sidelined. She meets Josie and learns a few choice life lessons about what really matters.
- Josie- 12-15 years old, She is smart, funny, and instantly likeable. None of her spunk or spirit is hampered by the fact that she is confined to a wheelchair. She is hired to help McKenna and though they get off to a rocky start, they soon become inseparable. Josie gently guides McKenna through the minefield that pre adolescence can bring.
- Toulane (not confirmed)- 9-12 years old. She is McKenna’s BFF and used to being #1 in all she does. When Toulane finds out McKenna lied to her about Josie, she is both hurt and confused. But the girls soon patch it up and figure out that more than just two girls can be BFF’s.
Questions
- Big question – will AG release three dolls again like they did with Chrissa??
- Why a gymnast? In my opinion, American Girl chose to have the GOTY 2012 as a gymnast because 2012 is an Olympic year and we all know that gymnastics is the darling of the summer games.
Sources:
- Photo of Jade Pettyjohn and her on screen Dad, Ian Zehring
- Various photos posted by Nia Vardalos on Twitpic
- Winnepeg Free Press
- National Feature Film Casting
- Library of Congress
I will be updating this post as we get more information. If you have anything to add to the GOTY 2012 scoop, please email me at share@dolldiaries.com and be sure to cite your source – where you found the information or another way I can verify it.
*Seattle fourth-grader McKenna Brooks, who lives for gymnastics, struggles with school work until Josie, a tutor confined to a wheelchair, helps her with reading comprehension and much more. (Library of Congress summary)*
Do you know if this is final text/copy of the printed books? My daughter will soon be using a powered wheelchair and she thoroughly enjoys her AG dolls. But I have a difficult time accepting anything less than people first language – Josie uses a wheelchair rather than *confined to a wheelchair.*
Just curious if you know…. thanks for valuable information on movie and GOTY.
KellyL – I do not know as of this point. The books will be on sale Dec 27 so we should start to see full summaries and even excerpts soon.
im soooo excided since im a gymnast! im totally going to get her!
– KayLeigh- <3
And… when are the magizenes coming out?
– KayLeigh- <3
i looked at how much the extras are getting paid: 11$ an HOUR i think they COULD do a little better than that!
McKenna is sooo pretty! i really really really want her!
Kayleigh- some people already have the magazines! They should deliver them to everyone! I stopped getting mine a few years ago! I mean i still buy there products!
Kayleigh~
I do gymnastics too! Except i do rhythmics.
Oh she is really pretty I am planning on buying her
Jade pettyjohn does look like McKenna I so can’t wait
And she lives in Seattle that is the best I am so Ganna get her
I WILL LIKE TO HAVE HER:)
SHE IS GORGEOUS! To bead I probably can’t get her
I can’t wait until January 1st. I wish I could go to the AG place, but new years and all.
i want her now! but i would have to wait to save all my money and buy her or wait untill september- which is impossible!
I was suppossed to pick a b-day present from my dad and the first thing that popped into my head was McKenna now that i’ve seen i want her sooooo badly i’m glad i picked her instead of something stupid
Got an early copy of the book! So far very good read…they describe her bed as being a loft bed with a desk under it. I am hoping this is her furniture piece!
I love her! I am a competitive gymnast and have been doing gymnastics since I was 2. I have been waiting for American Girl to come out with a gymnast! When Ivy came out, I learned that she was a gymnast so I was a little disappointed because I thought AG wouldn’t come out with another… but they did! Funny thing is, she looks exactly like me (even more than any of the MAG’s). I will totally be buying her (the money is already saved)! I am super excited to see the rest of her collection (the doll-sized bar in the background is so cute… I hope that they are selling it!). I think I may be more excited about this than Christmas!!!! American Girl really nailed it this time!
I think that she is really pretty and did you know that her book is out at barns and noble? You can buy in now!!!!!!
Why are the girls of the year never black/african american?
Hmm.. BEAUTIFUL!!
Love the new face mold!!
Looks a bit like Mia though…..
Oh my gosh!! I’m a level 6 gymnast so I really want her!!! She is so pretty!
I want her so bad! But i just got one soooo… I have no money left!!!
Hmmm…
Mia? Is that you?
Mia has the classic mold.
love her!
Noelle- How do you see McKenna as Mia? Mia has red hair, McKenna has caramel. Mia’s hair is layered, McKenna’s is cut straight across the bottom. Mia has hazel eyes, McKenna has light blue eyes. Mia has freckles, McKenna doesn’t. Mia has the classic face mold, McKenna has the Josie mold. The only thing the same about them is their skin tone.
great doll
Ahh!! I’m so excited. I have GOT to convince my parents to take me to a store for her debut! Enjoy everyone and Happy Holidays!
Oh also the only other thing about McKenna and Mia that are similar is their eyebrow style. Yep so only their skin tone and eyebrow shape are the same.
This is a little off topic from McKenna, but it has to do with releases in 2012. Also I couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this since there isn’t a thread post on this topic. Does anyone know anything on the Historical Character coming out in 2012? Other than the only current trademark is Caroline and so her name is most likely Caroline. I have an idea for her. Since the author is most familiar with old Wisconsin around the mid-1800′s. So I predict a girl from 1840′s growing up in Wisconsin on a farm and then in the last book, she leaves on the Oregon Trail with her big family. I have written some story ideas for her. Here is the story and I’ll post a description of Caroline soon.
Meet Caroline
Caroline Winters grows up in 1844 on a farm in Wisconsin. She lives with her mom, her dad, her 4 siblings and 8 cousins. Each person in her family has a job to do in their house except for the youngest kids of the house. The dad grows the crops and harvests them, the mom takes care of the younger kids, and the older kids do the chores around the house. When Caroline’s mom gets sick Caroline and the older kids have to take care of the younger children, and the chores. Will they be able to pull it off? Will Caroline’s mom get better? Find out in Meet Caroline.
What do you think? I’ll post more summaries and what Caroline would look like soon.
Caroline would look like. Long wavy blond hair that she always has pulled back into a half ponytail, dark blue decal eyes (if they don’t make them, then just dark blue eyes), light skin, Mia’s freckle pattern, and the classic mold. I would prefer the MG mold, but I bet they wouldn’t do it because MG just came out. Here is her meet outfit. A pale green and yellow short sleeved plaid dress, white tights, and yellow ballet flats. Her accessories include a thin white cardigan, a white sun hat with a pale green bow wrapped around it, a fake gold necklace with a fake peridot, and a coin purse. So what do you think so far?
If there is a historical in 2012 I think she will be light skin,brown hair,no bangs ,pulled in a pony tail or braids,green eyes
my daughter needs her because we live in olympia! she just screamed and ran to me when she found this! i am thinking of getting this for her!
she is so cute! I’m getting her starter collection for 275 bucks!
OMG! I’m an extra in this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love American Girl.
That sound good for a new difference. I don’t think they have had a gymnastics girl in a long time.
I am doing gymnastics next year. I have been doing it for 2 years.
They just got a historical character. Marie-Grace and Cecile! Another one in 2012?
ClaireBear- You are? What do you do in it? Are you a gymnast, a school classmate? Please tell me if you can.
Lexi- Well there should be. On Kathleen’s Ernst’s website, it says there is a 6-book set for an AG Historical Character set to be released in 2012. That means there will most likely be a Historical Character coming out next year, and my comment above was an idea for her.
^it wasn’t Kathleen’s website. it was this one:
http://www.tla1.com/adult_author2.php?id=115#13
Thank you Jenny, yes it was that website.
Hi, all! I was going to buy my daughter a retired AG doll for her birthday, when she saw that the 2012 doll of the year is going to be a gymnast! My daughter just got into AG doll s a month or so ago, so I am very new to this. My question is, will the doll be available on January 1? Will it be priced at a premium, or can we get away with $100 for the doll? Does anyone have prior experience with doll of the year debut? Thanks!
I don’t think its a new face mold. it looks like it’s the josefina mold to me.
Amelia the doll will be available on January 1st and ag dolls are priced $100. And every year american girl has girl of the year which started from 2000 with lindsey and then now to 2012 with mckenna, each year they debut their doll on January 1st, they use to sell their dolls $95 but it came up to $100 and if your looking on buying a retired ag doll they sell them on ebay here is all of the girl of the year dolls listed.
2000-Lindsey
2003-Kailey (i think thats her name)
2005-Marisol
2006-Jess
2007-Nikki
2008-Mia
2009-Chrissa
2010-Lanie
2011-Kanani
2012-Mckenna
and theres also retired historical dolls that also retired if you are interested
Samantha
Nellie
Kirsten
Elizabeth
Felicity
*Hope this helps*
I am soooo excited for Mckenna to come out i cant wait. The reason i’m so excited is cuz i look exactly like her and I am a gymnast too! There is nothing stopping me from getting her world collection for my birthday.
Amelia – McKenna will be retailed $105 (according to the Wall Street Journal), and it is very likely that all of the dolls will become $105.
I think I will get McKenna. I am sooo excited for the new year so I can get her.
Mad- Yeah, I think mckenna & the other dolls will be $105 because the dolls went from being $95 to $100.
OMG I <3 her!! She looks just like me!! I cant wait to get her! Will see the movie when it comes out(:
@A They made a new AA Historical and in 2008 the GOTYS friend was AA they offer a wide range of AA dolls.. Just a business decision.
The doll is sooo pretty I have both books and they are really good. I can’t wait to get Mckenna. O and as for the books . I definately recomend both books.
I just read that her world collection is supposed to be over $700! Is this true:(
will be taking my 3 girls & their friend to the American Girl Place on Jan 1, for the unveiling of McKenna, pretty sure at least 2 girls will be bringing her home! We are counting the days!
1momof4 -take pictures and send them in for us all to see please