You all know I work in an elementary school library, and I try to keep up with new releases especially in the graphic novel genre because it is so popular with our students.
“Be Prepared” is a terrific new graphic novel about a Russian immigrant girl trying to fit in with the kids at school.
In the first few pages she attends a birthday party which has a fun parody of American Girl dolls.
Of course, all the “cool” kids give the birthday girl American Girl presents.
Vera didn’t bring an 18″ doll to the party (because she doesn’t have one!), so while the girls play, she has to borrow a lowly Barbie doll. Sigh.
Aw, Vera… we have all been there! It can be hard to fit in.
We bought Brianna’s first doll (Josefina) from my sister-in-law at about 50% off. It still felt like a big deal even at half-price. When Saige came out about 8 months later, that was the start of the slippery slide into fandom!
How did you acquire your first AG? Did the price require you to convince yourself or your parents?
The Dolls Between Us 
Hahaha! This is great!
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Book just came out, but Brianna and I recommend grades 5 and up.
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I need to check out this graphic novel! I started with a Bitty Baby – I think it was a gift from either my parents or grandparents. For Christmas 1997, when I was 9, I received my first 18-inch doll, an American Girl of Today that I named Stephanie. She was supposed to look like me, but she had blonde hair and the laser-green eyes. I didn’t care, though. I loved her and played with her for years. I thought about selling her, but I’m so glad I didn’t. She’s my oldest doll, and I can’t wait to take her with me when my husband and I go to New York this fall. I’ve never been to any of the stores! I was born in NYC, so I wanted to go there to celebrate my 30th birthday, and it’s my husband’s first time visiting. We’re going in November instead of August, so we’re combining my birthday celebration with our third wedding anniversary. I’m so excited!
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I think you’ll like the book! So many amazing graphic novels out lately, including “Real Friends” and “All’s Faire in Middle School.”
So glad you didn’t sell your first doll. How amazing it will be to take her to NYC!! I hope you’ll tell us all about it.
The first time we went to AGP Chicago we were awestruck. My husband even got a new TV out of the visit because I couldn’t believe how clear the picture was on the AGP TVs! That’s all the encouragement he needed.
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I need to hit up the local library! I’m definitely going to be writing an Adventure Time blog post (or two) about our trip. I’m so excited! I love the story about your husband and the TV. I may need to keep an eye on mine when we’re in NYC.
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Ha ha! Don’t comment on their TVs!
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That sounds like a great book! I got my first AG from Santa at at 8 and it was a big deal. I knew that was the only AG I could ever expect to have gifted to me.
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It was a good book, and I still find myself thinking about it, which is always a good sign!
Santa comes through! My daughter knew Santa was real when she got a Barbie townhouse.
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Yep! I can totally relate to Vera too! I got Samantha when I was 10. An $82 doll was a BIG deal and my mom wasn’t happy that was what I wanted for Christmas. My whole family pooled money in and that was all I got for Christmas besides the most amazing handmade wardrobe for her from my aunt.
But my friend had ALL the historicals that were out at that time and tons of furniture and clothes. I remember going into complete shock and awe upon entering her room!
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I can really imagine what an amazing Christmas that must have been! Even Brianna, when she was little, had an acquaintance who was known to have basically everything AG had out at the time. She had mythological-like status in the school!
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When all of my daughter’s cousins had AG dolls and she didn’t, I said I’d never buy a $100 doll–ever!
At 6 yrs old, our 2nd child was born and guess what our oldest wanted? Yep. So we took her to the downtown Chicago store in 2011 and fell in love. I wanted her to pick Kanani so badly but she picked a JLY that she named Alexa and loves to this day. 8 yrs and 12 dolls later (mostly pre-loved dolls) we all share and bond with our youngest daughter, our love for American Girl dolls.
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Aw, your daughter timed her request perfectly! I agree that you can’t really understand the product until you hold it in person and appreciate how different it is from a regular doll.
It’s fantastic that AG has become a shared love!
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I enjoyed reading the accounts of how everyone got their first AG doll (and got hooked on them) . LoL
My granddaughter got her first, Mia, at 5. I then decided I would volunteer at the Children’s Museum to work with the dolls getting ready for the sale and be able to buy the dolls there.
Great decision! Thislast weekend was my 11th saleI work as a checker and even though it’s crazy budy, it’s lots of fun.
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My daughter and I have volunteering at MCM on our bucket list! We would need to arrange to stay with friends or family. The people at the sale are so terrific!
Rumors are flying that donations for 2019 and 2020 are already at the MCM warehouse after AG closed the Wilmot shipping location.
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ROFL, especially when I got to the part about Complicity’s chamber pot!!!
My first doll was Samantha, she was a Christmas gift from my husband. I figured a holiday was a good way to justify the price! Then I didn’t buy anything for years. Now I’m making up for it 😉
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Awww, haha, this look absolutely hilarious! But I definitely have been that girl like Vera-for what seemed like a loooooong time to me (only like a year/nine months, lol, but I was in 2nd grade) I didn’t have an American Girl doll. I just found your blog and it’s fabulous!
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Thank you. Hope you get a chance to check out this great graphic novel!
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Me, too! 🙂
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