The American Girl series, by various authors, is a collection of novels set within toy line's fictional universe. Since its inception, American Girl has published books based on the dolls, with novels and other media to tie in with their dolls. The books follow various American girls throughout both historical eras and contemporary settings.
The historical novels that have corresponding dolls are referred to as the Central Series. There is also the Girl of the Year line of characters from contemporary settings.
A related series entitled History Mysteries, also known as Mysteries Through Time and/or Mysteries through History, was released in 1999 and discontinued in 2004.
Historical Characters and Beforever
The Historical Characters line featured dolls representing girls from various historical eras. Each doll had a series of six books that followed a standard structure, which were known as the Central Series. These books covered topics such as school, holidays, birthdays, and overcoming challenges. They also had a standard naming convention of Meet (Name), (Name) Learns a Lesson, (Name)'s Surprise, Happy Birthday, (Name)!, (Name) Saves the Day, and Changes for (Name). The series began to deviate from this rigid naming structure in 2002 with the introduction of the character of Kaya, whose lifestyle did not include birthdays or a formal winter holiday. Despite changing the naming structure, the series continued to have six books that covered about two years of the character's life. In 2014, American Girl rebranded the Historical Characters line into Beforever. With this rebranding came a modification of the series structure. The books were condensed into two volumes, which each covered three of the original books. New characters were released with two books in their series. In 2019 the line was changed back to the Historical Characters name. The books were republished without Beforever on the cover, but the two volume structure remained.
In addition to the Central Series, some characters received mysteries. These are set either during the central series or after the events of those books. They are longer than the original books, and often cover heavier or more nuanced topics. There are also short stories, which also take place during or after the main series but are much shorter, and often corresponded with outfits or accessories for the dolls. The characters available during the Beforever branding also received "My Journey" books which were "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" (or gamebook style) stories where a modern girl went back in time to meet the main character. There are assorted other books related to the historical characters, including ones showing what happened between books, explaining historical context, or other stories, that vary based on character.
Central Series Kirsten Larson (1854–1856) Meet Kirsten: An American Girl. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986) Kirsten Learns a Lesson: A School Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986) Kirsten's Surprise: A Christmas Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1986) Happy Birthday, Kirsten! A Springtime Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1987) Kirsten Saves the Day: A Summer Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1988) Changes for Kirsten: A Winter Story. by Janet Beeler Shaw (1988)
Samantha Parkington (1904–1906) The Samantha novels were first illustrated by Nancy Niles. Later editions were illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Meet Samantha: An American Girl. by Susan S. Adler (1986) Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School Story. by Susan S. Adler (1986) Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story. by Maxine Rose Schur (1986) Happy Birthday, Samantha! by Valerie Tripp (1987) Samantha Saves the Day. by Valerie Tripp (1988) Changes for Samantha. by Valerie Tripp (1988)
Molly McIntire (1944–1946) Meet Molly by Valerie Tripp (1986) Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1986) Molly's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1986) Happy Birthday, Molly! by Valerie Tripp (1987) Molly Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1988) Changes for Molly by Valerie Tripp (1988)
Felicity Merriman (1774–1776) Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp (1991) Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1991) Felicity's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1991) Happy Birthday, Felicity! by Valerie Tripp (1992) Felicity Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1992) Changes for Felicity by Valerie Tripp (1992)
Addy Walker (1864–1866) Meet Addy by Connie Rose Porter (1993) Addy Learns a Lesson by Connie Rose Porter (1993) Addy's Surprise by Connie Rose Porter (1993) Happy Birthday, Addy! by Connie Rose Porter (1994) Addy Saves the Day by Connie Rose Porter (1994) Changes for Addy by Connie Rose Porter (1994)
Josefina Montoya (1824–1826) Meet Josefina by Valerie Tripp (1997) Josefina Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (1997) Josefina's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (1997) Happy Birthday, Josefina! by Valerie Tripp (1998) Josefina Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (1998) Changes for Josefina by Valerie Tripp (1998)
Margaret Mildred "Kit" Kittredge (1932–1935) Meet Kit by Valerie Tripp (2000) Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (2000) Kit's Surprise by Valerie Tripp (2000) Happy Birthday, Kit! by Valerie Tripp (2001) Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp (2001) Changes for Kit by Valerie Tripp (2001)
Kaya'aton'my (1764–1766) Meet Kaya by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002) Kaya's Escape! by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002) Kaya's Hero by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002) Kaya and Lone Dog by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002) Kaya Shows the Way by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002) Changes for Kaya by Janet Beeler Shaw (2002)
Julie Albright (1974–1977) Meet Julie by Megan McDonald (2007) Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald (2007) Happy New Year, Julie! by Megan McDonald (2007) Julie and the Eagles by Megan McDonald (2007) Julie's Journey by Megan McDonald (2007) Changes for Julie by Megan McDonald (2007)
Rebecca Rubin (1914–1916) Meet Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009) Rebecca and Ana by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009) Candlelight for Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009) Rebecca and the Movies by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009) Rebecca to the Rescue by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009) Changes for Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2009)
Cécile Rey & Marie-Grace Gardner (1853–1854) Meet Marie-Grace by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011) Meet Cécile by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011) Marie-Grace and the Orphans by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011) Troubles for Cécile by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011) Marie-Grace Makes a Difference by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011) Cécile's Gift by Denise Lewis Patrick (2011)
Caroline Abbott (1812–1813) Meet Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012) Caroline's Secret Message by Kathleen Ernst (2012) A Surprise for Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012) Caroline Takes a Chance by Kathleen Ernst (2012) Caroline's Battle by Kathleen Ernst (2012) Changes for Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2012)
Best Friend Books Nellie's Promise by Valerie Tripp (2004) Very Funny, Elizabeth by Valerie Tripp (2005) Brave Emily by Valerie Tripp (2006) Really Truly Ruthie by Valerie Tripp (2008) Good Luck, Ivy by Lisa Yee (2008)
Beforever and Post-Beforever Samantha Parkington (1904–1906) Manners and Mischief: A Samantha Classic Volume 1 by Susan S. Adler (2014) Lost and Found: A Samantha Classic Volume 2 by Valerie Tripp (2014) The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha by Erin Falligant (2014)
Molly McIntire (1944–1946) A Winning Spirit by Valerie Tripp (2018) Stars, Stripes and Surprises by Valerie Tripp (2018) Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly by Valerie Tripp (2018)
Felicity Merriman (1774–1776) Love and Loyalty: A Felicity Classic 1 by Valerie Tripp (2017) A Stand for Independence: A Felicity Classic 2 by Valerie Tripp (2017) Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity by Kathleen Ernst (2017)
Addy Walker (1864–1866) Finding Freedom: An Addy Classic Volume 1 by Connie Rose Porter (2014) A Heart Full of Hope: An Addy Classic Volume 2 by Connie Rose Porter (2014) A New Beginning: My Journey with Addy by Denise Lewis Patrick (2014)
Josefina Montoya (1824–1826) Sunlight and Shadows: A Josefina Classic Volume 1 by Valerie Tripp (2014) Second Chances: A Josefina Classic Volume 2 by Valerie Tripp (2014) Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina by Emma Carlson Berne (2015)
Kit Kittredge (1932–1935) Read All about It: A Kit Classic Volume 1 by Valerie Tripp (2014) Turning Things Around: A Kit Classic Volume 2 by Valerie Tripp (2014) Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit by Valerie Tripp (2014)
Kaya'aton'my (1764–1766) The Journey Begins: A Kaya Classic Volume 1 by Janet Beeler Shaw (2014) Smoke on the Wind: A Kaya Classic Volume 2 by Janet Beeler Shaw (2014) The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya by Emma Carlson Berne (2014)
Julie Albright (1974–1977) The Big Break: A Julie Classic Volume 1 by Megan McDonald (2014) Soaring High: A Julie Classic Volume 2 by Megan McDonald (2014) A Brighter Tomorrow: My Journey with Julie by Megan McDonald (2014)
Rebecca Rubin (1914–1916) The Sound of Applause: A Rebecca Classic Volume 1 by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2014) Lights, Camera, Rebecca!: A Rebecca Classic Volume 2 by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2014) The Glow of the Spotlight: My Journey with Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene (2014)
Caroline Abbott (1812–1813) Captain of the Ship: A Caroline Classic Volume 1 by Kathleen Ernst (2014) Facing the Enemy: A Caroline Classic Volume 2 by Kathleen Ernst (2014) Catch the Wind: My Journey with Caroline by Kathleen Ernst (2014)
Maryellen Larkin (1954–1956) The One and Only: A Maryellen Classic by Valerie Tripp (2015) Taking Off: A Maryellen Classic 2 by Valerie Tripp (2015) The Sky's the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen by Valerie Tripp (2015)
Melody Ellison (1963–1964) No Ordinary Sound: A Melody Classic by Denise Lewis Patrick (2016) Never Stop Singing: A Melody Classic Volume 2 by Denise Lewis Patrick (2016) Music In My Heart: My Journey with Melody by Erin Falligant (2016)
Nanea Mitchell (1941–1942) Growing Up with Aloha: A Nanea Classic Volume 1 by Kirby Larson (2017) Hula for the Home Front: A Nanea Classic Volume 2 by Kirby Larson (2017) Prints in the Sand: My Journey with Nanea by Erin Falligant (2017)
Courtney Moore (1986–1987) Courtney Changes the Game by Kellen Hertz (2020) Courtney: Friendship Superhero by Kellen Hertz (2021)
Claudie Wells (1922) Meet Claudie: An American Girl by Brit Bennett (2022) Adventures with Claudie: An American Girl by Brit Bennett (2023)
Isabel and Nicki Hoffman (1999) Meet Isabel and Nicki by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy (2023)
Historical Character Mysteries Kirsten Larson (1854–1856) The Runaway Friend by Kathleen Ernst (2008)
Samantha Parkington (1904–1906) The Curse of Ravenscourt: A Samantha Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2005) The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2006) The Cry of the Loon: A Samantha Mystery by Barbara Steiner (2009) Clue in the Castle Tower: A Samantha Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2011) Danger in Paris: A Samantha Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2015)
Molly McIntire (1944–1946) A Spy on the Home Front: A Molly Mystery by Alison Hart (2005) The Light in the Cellar: A Molly Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2007) Clues in the Shadows: A Molly Mystery by Kathleen Ernst (2009)
Felicity Merriman (1774–1776) Peril at King's Creek: A Felicity Mystery by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (2006) Traitor in Williamsburg: A Felicity Mystery by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (2008) Lady Margaret's Ghost: A Felicity Mystery by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (2009)
Addy Walker (1864–1866) Shadows on Society Hill: An Addy Mystery by Evelyn Coleman (2007)
Josefina Montoya (1824–1826) Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina Mystery by Kathleen Ernst (2006) The Glowing Heart: A Josefina Mystery by Valerie Tripp (2016)
Kit Kittredge (1932–1935) Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery by Kathleen Ernst (2005) Midnight in Lonesome Hollow: A Kit Mystery by Kathleen Ernst (2007) A Thief in the Theater: A Kit Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey (2008)