This is so typical.

You feel able to badmouth something you seem to only be dealing with in passing.

Gwen was not the American Girl of the Year for 2009. She was a secondary character that supported the underlying theme of no bullying. Chrissa was the 2009 Girl of the Year- the plot of the story WAS uplifting- it was about kids/girls pulling together and helping each other out- and not getting the false empowerment that bullying gives. Clearly you should have read the stories you feel able to comment on...

The thing that you have failed to comment on is the fact that true collectors and fans of the American Girl dolls are getting fed up with the "Mattel-ization" of the line. Each doll seems to be getting progressively blonder and "whiter" with those of color being demoted to secondary roles. THAT's the story here.

Not sure what I badmouthed here, DivaJean. Only commented on the uproar the homeless doll caused with her unhappy story. -- Susan

WOW - DivaJean, Susan just made a comment about the past year's heavy topic of what happened with Gwen. I am sorry that the doll was not BLACK for this year, but realistically AG has a very diverse collection of dolls. Do I dislike the "dumbing" down of the Dolls - Yes, because the books are the integral part of the collection. I don't condone racisim in any form and complaining the dolls are too white or too blond IS racisim

Hopefully that American Girl will blog about nice things and change the world with her positivity instead of turning so many things into negatives.

Absolutely, Paige!--Susan

Actually, a lot of girls have blogs for their modern American Girl dolls. They write short stories narrated by the doll and illustrate them with doll photos; some of these dolls have real photographic talent. ;)

LOL, Tara! Blogging kids? Parents everywhere are worried now!--Susan

Wow, a Lanie doll? Hmmmm.....they spelled my name incorrectly. I just popped over courtesy of David Perry's shout out and there is that doll. I have been gardening for years so it is about time. LOL

Layanee, I am sure it was a typographical error.--Susan

By the end of the Chrissa book Gwen and her mother are back on their feet, but most of those news stories were written by people with secondhand information, who didn't bother to research ANYTHING about the Gwen doll or Chrissa's story before writing elaborate news articles about how hypocritical and inflammatory American Girl was being toward the homeless community. I believe that's what DivaJean was talking about. For instance, Gwen came out January 1, 2009 (along with the rest of the Chrissa line) yet controversy over the doll only arose this past fall, a full 9 months after the doll was released. It's depressing that the news media doesn't bother to check their information before they take a story and run with it... and people are so fired up about Lanie being Caucasian because such a large number of people spread rumors about her absolutely being African-American, causing the people hoping for another ethnic character doll to get their hopes up. It's like promising a kid the red bike they want, and giving them a blue one. Sure it's the same bike, but the color matters to some people. Personally, I think her bangs are a bit much, but she's cute and she'll sell well.

I too was dissappointed that the new girl was not of a race other than Caucasian. Maybe they are trying to hit their target audience.though.....Caucasians. Does anybody remember Jessie? She was from Belize.
When I visited the AG store in NYC, the majority of customers were not Caucasians. They seemed mostly Hispanic and other races of non-whites.
What bothers me more than that issue is the fact that there are so few clothing choices for the AG. Have you seen Mytwinn.com? Tons of outfits!!!

I myself am Native American.They only have Kaya who is Native American.But I find it blessing as finding a Native American doll is much harder then finding an African American doll.I seamed to remember that Chrissa's friend Sonali was Indian.And that her teacher in the movie was African American.Already of course he is not a main charter or a doll.I believe I have seen a few just like me African American dolls and there is a historical doll Abby who is also African American. There is also a baby bitty doll and I believe the bitty twins that are also African American. I am not saying they shouldn't have an African American year doll cause maybe they should but this one is not.For all we know the next historical doll may be.Well anyway I think she is beautiful doll and I hope people will look more about the reason behind the doll and not so much the color.

I love LANIE. She is so cute. I got a American Girl magazine and I saw her in it. She is!!!!

Indeed she is, Laura Beth! -- Susan

I don't know why people keep complaining about her race. Lanie is ment to teach children about loving the outdoors. Even though her race is not what the adults out there expected, children will still be pleased with the doll. I don't really like her hair. It is too blond for me. The bangs also look a bit funny. I still hope to buy Lanie and can't wait for her to come out tonight. Everyone should stop complaining about her race and focuse on her message. Go outside. For one, I think American girl chose a good topic because it matches the whole going green thing that America is trying to focuse on.

p.s. where can I find those blog's that children make about there dolls. I want to make one!

I know my daughter was glad that this year's GOTY is Caucasian and not AA. She doesn't like dark skinned dolls. She likes dolls that look like her. I personally like the dark skinned dolls as well as the light skinned ones.
My guess is that most people that can afford an AG doll are Caucasian, therefore Mattel is going to cater to their bottom line.

OMGOSH! MY NAME IS LANIE LIKE NO JOKE! AHHHH Spelled the same 2 ..she just needs brown hair and green eyes ah! But then shes just like me!

I couldn't believe my eyes when the catalog came in the mail! It's a doll of ME! Not only was my nickname Lanie growing up but I majored in Biology in college and have been a scientist working on saving habitat for endangered species ever since. I have dragonflies all over my house, I garden, compost, and recycle. My favorite ever Christmas present was the year I got a Barbie Camper.. I still love to camp. I even have a stuffed Orangutan I got after spending time in Borneo working on saving Orangutan habitat! And I have blonde hair! I think I'll take it as a compliment and an omen that this is my year! Beat that all you other Lanie's! LOL

A AG that blogs? Lindsey (2001) came with a laptop that held up to 50 names and numbers in addition to calculator functions. Laptop was offered again 2002-2004 with same functions. What do you think Lanie will do with her laptop? I assume (waiting on my shipment to arrive) it is to keep in touch with her friend Dakota! Maybe Lanie doesn't have time to blog because she is busy outdoors, or maybe she will blog her adventures.... it's all up to the girls imagination.