After much guessing and speculation, something more than rumors have appeared, namely, the cover and summery for the first book for next year's Girl of the Year 2017 Gabriela! Thank you to Erica who sent us the image and and summary from the Scholastic website. I have added it to the Master List of Leaked AG Releases as well as the Girl of the Year 2017 Gabriela information page.
Link to Master List of Leaked AG Releases:
Link to Girl of the Year 2017 Gabriela Information Page:
Cover of GOTY 2017's 1st Book:
She looks like the silhouette we saw leak earlier, and similar to the rumors that say she is based off the Truly Me #46 doll which was retired earlier the year.
Summary of 1st Book:
Meet Gabriela McBride:
Gabby loves expressing herself - especially in the dance studio - but lately, poetry is becoming her art choice, and for a good reason: Gabby struggles with stuttering, and spoken word poetry helps her speech flow more freely. Still, compared to how confident she feels on the dance floor, speaking can be scary. When the city threatens to close her beloved community arts center, Gabby is determined to find a way to help. Can she harness the power of her words and rally her community to save Liberty Arts?
I am *SO* excited for this Girl of the Year character! She looks adorable and American Girl is LOOOOONNNNNNG overdue for a black GOTY character. Her story doesn't seem that thrilling to me, because the theme of dance has been done in the line already with Marisol and Isabelle, and the idea of saving a local arts program/community was seen in Saige. However I love the idea of her developing her love and interest with spoken work poetry, and using that to help her with overcoming her stuttering. All in all, even though I don't collect Girl of the Year dolls, I just might have to make an exception for this beautiful girl! ^_^
I think this sounds awesome. Such an amazing and diverse doll too!!
ReplyDeleteAnd long overdue too! :D Gabriela's looks will definitely make her stand out in the GOTY line up. ^_^
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteMeh. While I´m glad that they are finally doing an AA GOTY, and the illustration on the cover is adorable, there is little about this character and her story that is not rehashed: As you say, dance has been done; saving a local arts program has been done; and the "overcoming stuttering" with poetry part sounds to me like a variation on McKenna´s learning difficulties. Even the doll is (likely to be) a rehash of a previous TM. Hate to say it but the only aspect that appeals to me here is the fact that we are finally getting a DoC GOTY (and the doll itself, which is cute, even though not new). (But then, I wasn´t too keen on many of the other GOTY stories, either.) Taking all that combined, I´m worried that AG itself does not put much faith into the Gabriella concept, trying to play it safe rather than giving her unique interests of her own, and is instead relying on the white, blonde contemporary character introduced close in time for their 2017 sales. :(
ReplyDeleteI agree that its just a rehash and so I probably will not get her. Introducing her based on an outcry last year and right after Melody will likely turn off some people to the doll. She might have few unique pieces, but I've heard a lot of parents/adult collectors say they really don't need/want more dance stuff. I don't see how spoken poetry gives us more than a mic which brings us back to Melody. So won't be getting GOTY 2017, but am super excited about the contemporary line.
DeleteI hope that this Doll will sell well. I too am hoping She is a Jazz Dancer, or Hip Hope or some form of Contemporary Dance. Being that I am a African-American Parent, I can't thank American Girl Brand Doll enough for this Introduction. It is a tough economic times, so this will be a stretch for many financially right after Christmas. Overall, still going to mean a whole lot to many people. Together We are stronger, so it feels great to be included.
DeleteI have to disagree with the McKenna comparison. Gabriela has a stutter, which varies completely from McKenna's issues with reading comprehension.
DeleteI will definitely get her due to her being there 1st AA GOT doll. I think just like some people will not buy her because of their own personal reasons...prejudices and all over a much needed outcry, many people will buy them doll because they are ready for a new AA doll that is modern and not historical. American girl represents American girls and girls come in all kinds of colors. Many people are willing to accept this and can afford to support this doll and all that she represents. For those who want to pretend that she is not a big deal in their AG world, we will see you on Ebay trying to buy her and her collection for double then price. I will be buying her come this January as I have with them other GOT dolls.
DeleteI agree. I will be buying the new AA GOTY doll Gabby in January. For people who will be turned off by the outcry for an AA doll, it is probably better for you to just wait. Unfortunately I do not think that people should wait too long due to her being the 1st AA GOTY. I know that I will be supporting her collection maybe even more because she is AG's 1st doll of darker color for this line. I believe that this line will not have a problem selling come next December when people will be scrambling to get her before her year is out. Unfortunately, even with Lea being a beautiful doll, Lea is still around and AG is pushing to sell her fast before Christmas. For people who think that the backlash over a new AA doll becoming a problem in sales next year, I think there are more people who like Gabriella than those who do not.
DeleteSonali was also apart of this line but not as a lead, but as a supporting character doll along with Gwen. Gabby will be the 1st AA GOTY doll to stand on her own with a line of sets, outfits and accessories designed specifically for her. The contemporary doll is a new concept for AG too so both dolls are being created due to public out cries for dolls that are popular in theory. Dance and Cowgirl items have always provided girls with hours of play. I think both lines will be highly successful maybe GOTY more so due to her being a GOTY.
DeleteNo offense, but McKenna and Gabriela don't have similar stories. McKenna just had troubles with reading comprehension (she could be dyslexic or something, but it was never actually said that she was in the book, so for all we know she's not actually disabled and was just going through the "fourth grade slump"). Gabriela stutters. Those are totally different things - disabilities are not interchangeable, so let's not act like they are, please.
DeleteSonali wasn't African-American, actually. She was Indian-American (as in actually Indian, not Native American). So Gabby is not only the first AA main character in the GotY line, but she's the first AA GotY at all.
DeleteI only referenced Sonali due to her being a dark vinyl doll not AA. There are many dolls that have dark vinyl and Sonali is one of them.
DeleteOh, okay! Sorry about the unneeded comment, then - I misunderstood and I thought you were saying Sonali was AA.
DeleteIf they had only made her an athlete in a sport like soccer. She would be different than any other GOTY but not too drastic if they wanted to play it safe. We watched Crystal Dunn play on the US Women's team not that long ago; first year playing on the women's team, the struggle she went through to be finally selected. There has not been a GOTY who was an athlete in a sport like soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis... the list goes on. Not out of the realm of items they have made for other TM dolls so that can't be the issue. Crystal's story is an inspiring one and different than the stories that recirculate every other year for the GOTY. Not sure why this type of athlete has not been chosen for a Girl of the Year. Also like #46 and thought that if she was going to be used for the GOTY they would have made more of a change than eye brows and lip color. Longer hair or shorter hair maybe or make her eye color different as well.
DeleteI think a lot of people are feeling a mixture of excitement at finally getting a black GOTY, while at the same time having an unpleasant taste in their mouth that the first black GOTY's doll was taken from the Truly Me line, her collection that we've see so far has not been the most thrilling, and there are just so many parallels to previous GOTY lines. On top of that, they are shortly releasing a new white contemporary character who we still can't tell what the difference between the GOTY line is, so all in all, it gives off the impression AG is not taking this seriously, and is trying to put numerous "safety nets" in with the expectation Gabriela tanks. None of this which leaves a good feeling in the fan.
Deleteyess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! American Girl-It's about time! I'm just a bit upset because I fell in love with #46- I ended up buying her as my second doll in May last year. I hope she will be slightly different from #46 or unfortunately I'll have to pass. This is the third GOTY release I have seen whilst collecting - I was not keen on Grace or Lea for my collection, and I think she would be a cute addition. I do, though, feel the whole 'dance' thing has been done.
ReplyDeleteSame! I think the doll herself is really cute, even though her themes are familiar. The poetry is a really nice touch though!
DeleteYay! a doll with a stuttering disability,Gabby seems really sweet I can't wait to see the doll!
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm really glad and hope they're portray that aspect of her story sensitively and positively!
DeleteI am very excited!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I can't wait to see her in person!
DeleteI am super excited for Gabby! I personally didn't like Isabelle very much, so I'm very excited for her!
ReplyDeleteYes! I found Isabelle and her story bland, but the idea of a girl who does poetry excites me!
DeleteCheck this out! I think it's what you are looking for! But hurry, the link will be gone in about 30 minutes b/c I'm buying it for my AA daughter. I've taken a screen shot just in case you miss it. :)
ReplyDeletehttps://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=527479290325
And I think if you look around, you will find some other new and exciting items as well, like maybe Logan's clothes! But I'm definitely not an AG expert.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=520211611487
Can you share a photo?
DeleteThank you for sending me the photos and linking me! ^_^
DeleteDear american girl,
ReplyDeletePoetry, yes. Dance? No.
Hahaha that sums it up in a nutshell!
DeleteI'm with you on this. I don't collect GOTY either, but I'm happy she's black and has her own setbacks with stuttering.
ReplyDeleteI just wish they chose a more interesting theme and let the line go out with a bang.
I agree! I would have loved a poet-scientist girl! That would have been such a power combo!
DeleteSOOOO tired of dance theme.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree.... Marisol & Isabelle.... too soon.
DeleteIf they had only made her an athlete in a sport like soccer. She would be different than any other GOTY but not too drastic if they wanted to play it safe. We watched Crystal Dunn play on the US Women's team not that long ago; first year playing on the women's team, the struggle she went through to be finally selected. There has not been a GOTY who was an athlete in a sport like soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis... the list goes on. Not out of the realm of items they have made for other TM dolls so that can't be the issue. Crystal's story is an inspiring one and different than the stories that recirculate every other year for the GOTY. Not sure why this type of athlete has not been chosen for a Girl of the Year. Also like #46 and thought that if she was going to be used for the GOTY they would have made more of a change than eye brows and lip color. Longer hair or shorter hair maybe or make her eye color different as well.
ReplyDeleteI would have swooned so many times over for a doll modeled after Ibtihaj Muhammad, the fantastic hijab wearing, Black Muslim, Olympic fencer! Imagine, a doll sized fencing set! :D
DeleteShe's adorable, but...another dancer?! Wish they would step out of the box and made her a soccer player, or maybe STEM. Basically anything other than dancing.
ReplyDeleteHahaha yes! I would swoon so hard for a poet-scientist!
DeleteWow!! I didn't know the new GOTY AG doll was going to be African American. Me being an African American woman am excited that American Girl is recognizing an African American doll as their girl of the year, that's very nice. I personally am a collector of AG dolls and also purchase for my 9 year old granddaughter. She & I really don't care what race these dolls are. They're all very cute with their 2 signature teeth showing and we have black white hispanic and asian AG dolls. I have never even thought not to purchase this doll if it's not " a certain color or race" or my race for that matter... Unheard of. I purchase these dolls and in all flavors because they're cute dolls & have an American tale behind them PERIOD! Seeing that some people are making a reference to this being an African American doll and AG copying from previous GOTY doll's storylines and hoopla made me take notice & started me wondering what the heck is really going on here? Why is there even a dialogue? This doll has been out since the 80's, and moms across the land have rushed to the AG store to purchase these new girl of the year American Girl dolls for their little girls. Now a dialogue comes because this is an African American Girl of the Year doll girl and some folk are dissappointed and not sure or ARE sure they do not want to purchase this doll for their daughters. I'm not even going to ask why.? I don't understand why they or their little girl(s)wouldn't want this doll; she's a doll just like the rest of the AG dolls ...same face just her skin is darker, her hair maybe a little curlier (but so is the other 1/2 of the world of girls) so why wouldn't you purchase her? I purchase Caucasian AG dolls and don't even think about it twice;no dialogue.. My granddaughter who has never and would never ask me or look at her caucasian AG doll any differenly than the hispanic or african american AG dolls she has because she is so innocent & not aware of the color code & you know why? because her mother and I never and would never make any reference or an issue about the doll being Caucasian or any other color EVER!! I don't know I guess I'm just wondering why there is even a dialogue at all because this doll coming out(and she happens to be African American). Would there be a dialogue if she were Hispanic Hawaiian Asian and maybe American Indian straight hair ;not too dark in skintone? Would mommy's rush & get the so waited for GOTY dolly for their little girls?) and it seems like negative dialogue to me. And we wonder how racsim starts? By you're making a difference to your little girls . They are all American Girl dolls which are phenomenal in itself and whatever comes out I want it for myself and my granddaughter just because it's an American Girl doll with their cute two little bucked teeth ... PERIOD!!
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteMy daughter is so excited about this doll! She has apraxia of speech and when she read about the new doll having a speech disorder, she burst into tears. She couldn't believe they were doing a doll like her!
ReplyDeleteAG barely put thought into this collection. I'm honestly upset Teeney isn't the GOTY.
ReplyDelete