I know my American Girl history. I can identify any doll just by looking (yes, even the really similar ones) and have basically the entire collection. (I still need Evette and Maritza, but I'm sure they're gift-wrapped for Christmas. I saw a doll package when I visited my dad yesterday...)
Anyways, I have noticed that every year since 2013, almost every Girl of the Year has been influenced in part by one or more former Girls of the Year from when the target market was toddlers or not even born yet. Kira Bailey, for example, was kind of influenced by Lanie Holland, which I theorized back in 2020.
It has been revealed that Girl of the Year 2022, Corinne Tan, lives in Aspen, Colorado and is interested in winter activities like skiing. This kind of thinking aligns her with Nicki Fleming and Mia St. Clair, two Girls of the Years from the mid-2000s. In 2022, Nicki would have been the Girl of the Year 15 years ago, while Mia would've been GOTY 14 years ago. 15-year-olds are usually not interested in American Girl anymore. I was 15 once and was the only one in school interested in AG- I'm now almost 17 and still love my dolls. That means the winter theme is 100% fresh for the target audience.
I figured that instead of glossing over the collection as I did in my Lanie post, I'd make this a two-part post and post the second part (the collection analysis) tomorrow! Anyways, enough rambling. Let's get started!
Nicki Book 1:
Nicki Fleming is a 10-year-old girl who is a natural with animals. She lives on a working Colorado ranch with her parents and younger brother. She is optimistic, generous, and compassionate, and she loves skiing almost as much as she loves animals.
Nicki has a hard time saying "no" to people. Whenever anyone asks for her help, she's ready to lend a hand. When Nicki says "yes" to becoming the main trainer of a service dog that she and her mother had planned to train together, Nicki ends up in over her head, and struggles to juggle multiple responsibilities: to her parents, her best friend, her teacher--and to the dog.
But in the process of training the lively and spirited Sprocket, Nicki's affection for him grows--even while she keeps reminding herself that she has to give him up to someone who needs him more than she does. Equally important, Nicki learns some important lessons for herself.
Nicki Book 2 (Thanks to Nicki):
Ten-year-old Nicki Fleming is about to start fifth grade. She has spent the summer on her Colorado ranch working with Sprocket, the service dog she has been training, and helping her mother, who is expecting twins. In addition, Nicki's best friend Becca was away all summer, and Nicki has gotten to be close friends with Kris, one of the new girls at their school. The start of a new school year is usually an exciting time for Nicki, but this year it's laced with sadness because it means that Sprocket will soon leave for advanced training and eventual placement with a person with special needs. Starting school is also more challenging this year because it means trying to maintain close friendships with both Kris and Becca, who don't know each other very well. Can Nicki find a way to let Sprocket go AND to keep both Kris and Becca close?
Mia Book 1:
Mia St. Clair is a ten-year-old girl living in upstate New York. She has grown up playing ice hockey with her three older brothers on the pond behind their house. Mia's got the skills and the scrappiness it takes to be a star hockey player, but she's tired of skating in her brothers' shadows and has decided to follow her heart and pursue figure skating instead. Does she have what it takes to grow and compete as a figure skater?
When a new coach arrives, Mia finds herself gently pushed by the coach at the same time that she's pulled by her brothers. Can she stay true to her heart and follow her own path? Can she hold her own in a world of competitive skating?
Mia Book 2 (Bravo, Mia!):
Mia St. Clair can't wait for Regionals. Or can she?
Mia has been training all year to master the moves she needs to compete at the Regional Figure Skating Competition. It's her first time competing at that level, and Mia is eager for and worried about Regionals all at the same time. Is she a good enough skater? Does she have what it takes to survive in the world of competitive figure skating--and still be a good sport?
When a family crisis threatens Mia's chances of going to Regionals, Mia is heartbroken. But she knows that being a good sport means accepting challenges--even big losses--with determination and grace.
The List of Bolded Things That Might End Up In Corinne's Story:
*Natural with animals- Normally I wouldn't consider this, as Kira was an animal lover, but there is a cute dog in Corinne's promo pictures.
*Loves skiing- Of course!
*Trainer of a service dog- Corinne has a lot in common with Nicki, it would make sense if she trained a dog too. On a personal note, my dog Buttercup just came home from service dog training! Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to pass a service dog test, but she can serve well as my emotional support dog for my autism, anxiety, and depression. I'm so glad she's home- even though Snickerdoodle isn't that happy.
*Expecting twins- New baby category in Book 2.
*Sprocket will leave soon- If she is a dog trainer, she might have to cope with saying goodbye much like Nicki.
*Maintaining close friendships- It's been done time and time again.
*Figure skating- This will be portrayed by Gwynn, Corinne's sister who will also be a doll. Do you think it's going to be an interest of Corinne's too? *A new coach- Not exactly a coach, but someone new can enter Corinne's life and shake things up.
*Regional competition- Girls of the Year sometimes participate in competitions for their interest. Could there be some skiing competition Corinne participates in?
I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Stay tuned for the collection analysis tomorrow!