And I've missed the traditional format of the stories (Intro, School, Christmas, Birthday, Summer, and Winter). They did away with it when Kaya was introduced. I like Julie, but it's a little too soon to do a 70s character. They should have waited at least 10-20 more years. And what's worst is that she's the person for the next AG movie. And the movie is going to be a musical. Ugh. I was hoping that the next movie would focus on Kirsten, Addy, or Josefina. And it was a big mistake to put the Kit movie in theaters. They should have put it on Nickelodeon. I mean, the Barbie movies come on there.

I wish that they would do an Asian main character. Ivy (Julie's friend) doesn't count, because she is a friend doll.

I like the current Girl of the Year doll, Mia. She's my favorite of all of the GotY dolls so far. I might try to get her. And I don't get the earring on the Just Like You dolls. I understand with Addy and Josefina, but the earrings ruin the JLY dolls.

I never got into the American Girl dolls or books. I think I was missing a girl gene when I was younger. I also never got into the Babysitters' Club books or the Sweet Valley High books. I preferred the Fudge books, Encyclopedia Brown books, Ramona books, and Bunnicula books. But if there had been an American Girl doll and book about an Asian-American main character, I think I would have gotten into that.

I read ALL of the above... haha

What can I say? My mom used to threaten to pack up all my books as punishment if I was misbehaving. :)

I do not understand the concept of withholding reading as a punishment. No matter how much you enjoy reading, withholding it will be counterproductive to say the least. Withholding TV, talking on the phone, going to the park, I understand. But reading benefits you in school.

The point is, when you're sending your kid to his/her room for punishment and they dash off, gleeful that they get more reading time, it loses it's effectiveness. It's not like a parent is going to withhold it for a week. We're talking for the duration of a time out, basically. Besides, unless you've had a kid who is always late because they won't put the book down to meet other responsibilities, you can't understand. When they sit on the only toilet in the house for way longer than necessary because they want to finish that chapter, you have to say "Put it down and get out of the bathroom!" or "Put the book down and get in the shower!"

It's a good problem to have, mind you, but it's still a problem!

Well, I'm 43 and have learned to not even open a book unless I have the next 7 or 8 hours available to finish it ...lol. Once I start, I don't put it down til it's done. My daughter comes by it honest!

ditto. my mom learned quickly to keep an eye on where my books were... i'd read when i should be cleaning or sleeping haha

besides, as much as i loved them, threatening to take away my barbie dolls just wasn't enough to scare me. :)

I always wanted an AG doll but my parents couldn't afford them (nor would they have paid that much for a doll if they could have). I've always been kinda tempted to buy one now that I can afford them, but it seems kinda weird to have a 24 year old buying a doll. I don't know which one I would buy. Kirsten was my original favorite, but then I like Felicity and Molly more. Thinking about it now, I'd get Felicity, but I want her in her original white print dress, not the current lavender.

I can't believe they are retiring Samantha! She was my first AG doll because I kind of look like her. The sad thing is my younger sister took Samantha out of my room one day when I was younger so she could play with her doll, Kirsten. I haven't seen it since and it has been like 10 years. haha

Awww, my real sister loved Samantha! I had Kirsten, which makes sense since my real name is Kristen, I have blond hair and blue eyes, I'm part Swedish, and I was born and grew up in Minnesota. But I'm really sad to see Samantha being retired!