I Read All The Historical American Girl Doll Books (Meet Series)
So that you don’t have to!
If you follow my main blog (which you should because I have the cutest website), then you know that I recently posted my ‘What I Read in May’ and that 7 of the 8 books I read were the historical American Girl doll books. One of my 2026 reading goals was to read the historical books from the original 8 American Girl Dolls. This goal was inspired by discovering my old American Girl Doll and restoring her. Finding my AGD caused a new admiration and fascination with the American Girl Dolls and I’ve been obsessed with everything American Girl ever since!
I was 5 or 6 years-old when I was first introduced to American Girl. I was also fortunate to live in Chicago, Illinois, when the first American Girl Place opened. I still remember that magical feeling of entering a store that revolved around dolls! However, I didn’t grow up reading and it wasn’t until I was in my teens that I was reading for personal enjoyment. Now, as a 32-year-old, since rediscovering the American Girl Dolls, I’ve challenged myself to read the historical AGD books to learn more about these characters and the time period they (fictionally) grew up in.
If you don’t know, the American Girl Doll books are historical fiction books meant for a middle-grade reading level. Some of the events and topics covered in these books are quite heavy, such as race, death, grief, war, and immigration, to name a few. The time periods range from 1764 (Kaya) to 1946 (Molly), these are just the eras of the books that I' am reading but the newer historical American Girl characters are based in the 2000s! I’ll only be reading the books from the core 8 American Girl Dolls: Felicity Merriman, Josefina Montoya, Kirsten Larson, Addy Walker, Samantha Parkington, Kit Kittredge, Molly McIntire, and Kaya’aton’my. These were the dolls I grew up knowing, though by the time Kaya was released, I was no longer interested in American Girl Dolls and had moved my focus to Blythe and Bratz dolls1.
I thought it could be entertaining to report back on my experience reading the American Girl Doll books for the first time and share my thoughts about each book. I’ll be reading the books by series, so I’m starting with the Meet series, where all the main characters are introduced.
Meet Addy: An American Girl (American Girl: Addy #1) by Connie Rose Potter ★★★★★/5
Addy Walker's family is planning a dangerous escape from slavery in the summer of 1864. But before they can make the escape, the worst happens--Master Stevens decides to sell some of his slaves, including Poppa and Addy's brother, Sam. Addy and Momma take the terrible.
I started out reading Meet Addy because I heard it’s the best out of all the historical character books. Meet Addy was an emotional journey, which I expected, I mean, it discusses escaping slavery towards freedom. However, hearing this story from Addy’s young and innocent perspective was heartbreaking. But, I was captivated the entire time! There are so many unanswered questions that I know will be answered as the series goes on, which I can’t wait to read!
Meet Kirsten: An American Girl (American Girls: Kirsten, #1) by Janet Beeler Shaw | ★★★★★/5
Nine-year-old Kirsten and her family experience many hardships as they travel from Sweden to the Minnesota frontier in 1854.
Next to Samantha, Kirsten was my second favorite American Girl Doll. I grew up (pretend) reading the Little House on the Prairie books and I always imagined that Kirsten would’ve been living around that same time. Plus, her cottage-core outfits were very cute!
This was another book that got me in the feels! I didn’t expect Kristen’s story to be so heartbreaking. Kristen’s family is immigrating from Sweden to Minnesota, and along the way, some big events happen that I know will shape her character as she develops in the rest of her books. I genuinely want to know if she’s okay based on all the trauma she’s experienced at such a young age. Kristen, are you alright, girl?
Meet Samantha: An American Girl (American Girl: Samantha, #1) by Susan S. Adler | ★★★★★/5
In 1904, nine-year-old Samantha, an orphan living with her wealthy grandmother, and her servant friend Nellie have a midnight adventure when they try to find out what has happened to the seamstress who suddenly left her job.
Samantha Parkington. My favorite American Girl Doll! Oddly enough, I did remember a lot of her story because there was a made-for-TV movie that I still vaguely remembered. Samantha loses her parents at a young age and ends up living with her wealthy grandmother. I didn’t love this story, but I also didn’t hate it. The first time I read Meet Samantha, I rated it a 4-star, but after going back through all my notes and thinking about it, I changed the rating to a 5-star.
I feel like Samantha acts like a white privileged only child, but that’s because that’s what she is! However, in Meet Samantha, Samantha learns about different types of family lifestyles and comes to appreciate her privilege and tries to use this to help her friends. Samantha’s book ends on a cliffhanger, so I’m very curious to read what happens in her series.
Meet Josefina: An American Girl (American Girls: Josefina, #1) by Valerie Tripp | ★★★★/5
Josefina Montoya is growing up on a rancho near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1824. Ever since Mama died a year before, Josefina and her three sisters have been struggling to carry on without her. One bright fall day, happy news arrives--their beloved grandfather is returning home after a long trading trip. Josefina knows that he will bring exciting stories and wonderful treasures from his journey. But this time he brings something more--a great surprise that Josefina and her sisters never even dreamed of!"
In Meet Josefina, we find out it’s only been a year since Josefina lost her mother. As the youngest of four sisters, she’s clearly mourning and trying to move on with life. Plus, she can’t seem to get along with the neighborhood goat, Florecita. She’s also anticipating the arrival of her grandfather, who surprises them with an appearance from their aunt. Josefina’s story also ends with a cliffhanger. If I’m honest, I found Josefina’s first book quite dull. Not much happens besides her family visiting and Josefina gaining the courage to stand up to a goat.
One accessory that you could buy for Josefina is a goat (I researched, and it’s not the same goat), so I found it odd that she didn’t like goats in her first book. I guess that’s one thing to look forward to reading about in Josefina’s book series.
After looking at so many American Girl Dolls, my favorite AG face mold is definitely the Josefina mode. She’s just so pretty! I could just be bias because I’m Mexican but Josefina never appealed to me as a child, like I said Samantha was my girl! I sort of regret selling my older sister’s Josefina doll2 and some of her outfits. Plus, the gold hoops! Most hispanic girls get their ears pierced at a very young age3, so I love this small detail!
Meet Kaya (American Girl: Kaya, #1) by Janet Beeler Shaw |★★★★/5
Kaya dreams of racing her beautiful mare Steps High. Her father warns her that the horse isn't ready, but when a pesky boy insults Steps High, Kaya accepts his challenge to race. As they ride, Kaya loses sight of her little brothers. Her carelessness earns her a nickname that her friends won't let her forget.
Out of all the American Girl Meet books that I read, I felt that Kaya's story was the most normal for a girl her age around her time period. She felt like what an adolescent would act like in her time period, at least to me. In Meet Kaya, we learn about Kaya’s interests, her mistakes, her challenges, etc. I didn’t worry about Kaya because I feel, based on her first book, that despite acting childish at times, she is also a quick learner, brave, and responsible. Kaya is what all horse girls should aspire to be!
Meet Molly (American Girl: Molly, #1) by Valerie Tripp ★★★/5
While her father is away fighting in World War II, Molly finds her life full of change and plans revenge on her brother for ruining her Halloween.
First off, I didn't enjoy Meet Molly4. All I knew about Molly was that she was the most patriotic doll of the American Girl Dolls. Her story is set during the late World War 2 era. For some reason, I thought that because of her nerdy, quirky look, she would come off as smart or more mature, but it was the complete opposite! In Meet Molly, Molly acted so immature and childish.
I find it kind of strange that when people think of American Girl Dolls. Samantha is the one who is called the white, rich, privileged one. What about Molly? She’s just as privileged as Samantha, if not more! Molly has a big house, a housemaid, siblings, friends, both of her parents (who are doctors), and still has time to act like a brat. It’s just a different time period. Plus, she’s problematic because she is mean to a girl for no reason, wears a hula girl costume, and wants to get revenge on her brother.
I don’t know how Molly will develop as a character going forward because this is my first time reading these books, but I hope she does grow to be a responsible girl. But I was very surprised by Molly because I always thought she would behave differently just based on her appearance. I guess don’t judge a doll by her clothing5!
Meet Kit (American Girl: Kit, #1) by Valerie Tripp ★★★★★/5
Kit longs for a big story to write in her daily newspaper for her Dad—that is, until she's faced with news that's really bad. When Mother's friends lose their house and come to stay with her family, it's nothing but trouble for Kit. Then Kit's dad loses his business, and things go from bad to worse. Will life ever be the same again?
My younger sister had a kit doll. I believe she only chose her because Kit was released the same year as she was born, 2000. Kit also had a movie that I remembered because it starred Abigail Breslin and Stanley Tucci, but I don’t remember much of it.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Meet Kit book! Kit’s story takes place during the Great Depression. I was very surprised by how much Kit knew about what was going on in her time period! This is because she dreams about being a reporter and writer and even create a personal newspaper for her father to read when he gets home from work. Kit came off as more mature compared to the other American Girls that I read about, which was so refreshing to read after reading Molly's book! haha
Meet Felicity (American Girl: Felicity, #1) by Valerie Tripp ★★/5
Felicity falls in love with a beautiful horse named Penny. When she discovers that the owner is cruel, she is determined to find a way to save Penny.
I was dreading Meet Felicity because she's one of the oldest (white) American Girl Dolls, and because I heard that her story is just her being selfish. All Felicity did in her book was steal a horse6 and wear pants. That’s all she did! While reading, I have to remind myself that these girls are young. I believe all of them are under 10! So, yeah, most 9-year-olds are naive and do reckless things without thinking about the repercussions that their actions involve. However, some characters just come off as really young and dumb, and Felicity is one of them. We will see how she grows and develops as a character in her book series.
Final Thoughts
It was interesting to finally read these books as an adult. The American Girl Doll books never appealed to me as a child. As mentioned, I didn't start to enjoy reading until I was in my teens, and by that time, I was no longer into playing with dolls. Obviously, some of these books were more impactful than others.
I’ve been following each book by listening to the corresponding episode of the Dolls of Our Lives podcast, which I just discovered about a month ago. It’s been fascinating to hear their thoughts and historical knowledge (the hosts are professional historians) about the time period when the girls would’ve lived through and what would’ve been real and not.
I’m also currently reading An American Girl Anthology: Finding Ourselves in the Pleasant Company Universe which has already spoiled a few situations that happen in the American Girl books, but I don’t mind. I’m only a few pages in but I can already tell it’s not for someone who can’t look at the American Girl company without a critical lens. Let me know if you would like me to review this book7.
To keep track of all of my reading, make sure to follow my website as I post about books and reading quite regularly. Also, follow me on Goodreads to stay updated on everything I’m reading. Don’t worry, I read more than just American Gil Doll books!
Have you read any of the American Girl Doll books before? Who’s your favorite American Girl Doll?
And then rediscovered my love for dolls at 30…
She gave me her blessing!
It’s to forget the trauma! lol
Don’t hate me Molly lovers!
Though, I do love Molly’s quirky outfits but her personality needs to improve.
I’m all for protecting animals but it didn’t belong to her and she could’ve gotten in a lot of severe trouble based on the horse owner’s threat to her. He literally said he would skin Felicity! A person that unhinged shouldn’t be messed with!
Tbh, I probably will anyways. lol