We are planning our weekend in Chicago and I just realized that in conjunction with the special events for Stop the Bullying Day, actress Sammi Hanratty (who starred as Chrissa in the movie) will be at the American Girl Place Chicago location on Friday, May 1 and will be at the Mall of America location on Saturday, May 2.

I plan on going to the American Girl Place in Chicago at some point this weekend – but I’m not quite sure when yet. Either way, it looks like there will be a lot activity there – they are celebrating Julie’s birthday on Saturday, too – so I am sure I will get good pictures, no matter what.

I also noticed Chrissa’s swimsuit set is back in stock – I had better call a personal shopper at the Chicago store and have her put one aside for me now as that has been on my daughter’s wish list since Chrissa came out.

Stay tuned for more on my visit to AGPC!

ANOTHER UPDATE!  The rumors are true – not only will there be Chrissa the Girl of the Year for 2009, American Girl is releasing two best friends dolls with her – Gwen (blonde) and Sonali (dark hair). The dolls are being released January 1, 2009.

UPDATE!!! Thanks to all my readers who quickly sent over the picture of Chrissa as published in USA Today! You all are FABULOUS!

American Girl is notorious for teasing us with countdowns to their girl of the year (GOTY) dolls and they are beginning to realize that most of their countdowns can be cracked. The lead up to Chrissa seems to be falling into the normal pattern. On the American Girl site their is a count down to Chrissa page and each day you can reveal another piece of her.

What we know so far: her dress is like the one the actress, Sammi Hanratty, is wearing in the movie promo; her hair is shoulder length, brown and relatively straight, and she has a similar face mold to the today doll #28.

The photo shown here is one that an AGFMB member was able to reveal and she has posted it in her Picasa album, too.

The Chrissa Stands Strong movie (American Girl: Girl of the Year 2009) will debut on HBO on January 5, 2009 and the DVD will be available for purchase on January 6, 2009. Her book, Chrissa Stands Strong (American Girl Today) ,is already available for pre-order.

Update – the book covers are now included with the pre-order information.

Below is the sneak peek from earlier. If you have any other pictures – especially once she is released, let us know (share@dolldiaries.com)

American Girl must be having good luck with their recent movies as they have already started production of a movie that will be released in January 2009 to go with the Girl of the Year doll for 2009. In a recent interview at the Kit Kittredge movie premiere, Sammi Hanratty, lets us in on a little secret:

Thanks to reader Lila for pointing us to the video.