As a dedicated collector of American Girl Dolls when I was a kid, nothing got me more excited than the announcement of the Girl of the Year—American Girl’s limited edition doll line featuring a contemporary character with a unique story, accessories, and outfits released for a single year. While some of American Girl’s most famous dolls are their historical characters, I loved Dolls of the Year because they felt relatable and authentic—similar to me, in many ways. This year, American Girl is holding true to these values with Raquel Reyes, the official Girl of the Year 2026. She’s a pickleball player, animal lover, and dance-party DJ. She’s also Mexican-American and—wait for it—the great-great-granddaughter of Samantha Parkington, one of the original historical dolls released by American Girl in 1986. Cue the millennial nostalgia!
So what does this mean for Raquel’s story? Read on to find out more about this year’s Doll of the Year, including how to get one!
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Raquel Reyes is American Girl’s 2026 Girl of the Year
The 18-inch Doll of the Year is available for purchase now, and comes with her own set of clothing, accessories, and a book!
What makes Raquel Reyes so special?
Raquel Reyes is an active and confident 10-year-old girl who loves her family, especially her younger brother and rescue dog, Luzita. She’s proud of her Hispanic heritage—her father is Mexican American—and is eager to share traditions from her father’s side, like paletas and music. While at her family reunion, she discovers an old diary in her attic belonging to a woman named Samantha Parkington—her great great grandmother!
As she reads her diary entries, Raquel learns to embrace the family ties she holds so dear. Alongside Raquel, young girls will learn to appreciate their heritage, a fitting theme given that Raquel is debuting during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The connection with Samantha will also serve as a healthy dose of nostalgia for parents who may have owned the original Samantha doll.
Raquel’s journey is told through an illustrated journal included with the doll, as well as a full-length novel, Raquel Saves the Wedding (available November 2025), written by award-winning author, Latina Angela Cervantes.
Positive reactions to American Girl’s Girl of the Year 2026
Raquel’s story isn’t just for the little girls who will play with her—it’s for the moms who immediately recognized the name Samantha Parkington. Not to mention all the other Easter eggs American Girl included that tie Raquel to her great-great-grandmother. Her plaid pink outfit is inspired by Samantha Parkington’s dress. The bow in her hair, a callback to Samantha’s hairstyle. Her gold necklace, which fans quickly noticed is Samantha’s iconic brooch repurposed.
When American Girl announced Raquel on their Instagram, the nostalgic comments immediately began pouring in: “Samantha Parkington’s great great granddaughter?!?! Legacy!!!” one user wrote.
Another wrote, “Samantha is my favorite American Girl! I love how Raquel is her great great granddaughter!”
Other fans cheered the debut, with another Instagram user commenting, “AG, you have done an AMAZING job with your GOTY! ❤️❤️ this is what we were asking for!! Pieces that appeal to both adult and child collectors, more recognition to your original historical dolls, and a doll of color as your girl of the year, especially during dolls of color month!! I hope Raquel is a big hit—I love her and wish I could buy her immediately!!❤️💖💜🤍 “
It’s clear American Girl Doll lovers are thrilled to see a historical doll they love embodied in this new contemporary character. Moms are excited to have a nostalgic mother-daughter moment, little girls will see themselves in Raquel, and even adult fans who never had their own are eyeing the doll. The Everymom Editorial Assistant Patty Schepel shared, “We couldn’t afford an American Girl doll when I was little. [Now] as a 33-year-old woman, American Girl is telling me it’s never too late to buy an American Girl doll. I think it might heal me.”
Shop Raquel Reyes American Girl doll and accessories
If you’re sold and want to purchase the 2026 American Girl ‘Girl of the Year’ shop the doll and some of her adorable accessories below. Plus, the historical Samantha Parkington doll is still available to purchase.
The 18-inch Doll of the Year is available for purchase now, and comes with her own set of clothing, accessories, and a book!
Raquel Reyes wears this dress as she showcases her special talent as a DJ. The set comes with a dress, headband, platform shoes, and a bag.
Is Raquel a Sephora tween? Her vintage vanity, accessories, and spa headband will feel super relatable to today’s little girls.
Raquel Reyes totes around these accessories while visiting the East Coast. The set includes a personalized tote, sunglasses, and even a necklace that matches Samantha Parkington’s original brooch!
Raquel tries pickleball for the first time on vacation, so she’s got to have a full fit for her new hobby.
Raquel cruises in this vintage-style car with her cousin during her family’s beach vacation. The set comes with a pink tumbler with the AG logo, a pretend sunscreen bottle, and even a pink-and-white striped beach towel.
Do these beach accessories come in human sizes? Seriously obsessed with the pink striped beach chairs and grill set.
Raquel’s beach outfit sold separately.
Raquel’s adorable coastal striped pajamas come in two pieces, plus pink fuzzy slippers.
Youth sizes available so little girls can have a PJ matching moment with their Raquel doll. Now they just need to make adult sizes for me.
The official taste-tester of the dog-friendly flavors at Raquel’s family’s paleta shop, her rescue pup Luzita comes with a dish, travel tote, and bag holder.
This is the doll that started it all. Samantha Parkington is still available to purchase now, complete with her book and accessories, adorned in her classic plaid outfit.
FAQs
Where can I purchase the Raquel Reyes doll?
The Girl of the Year 2026 doll is now available to purchase at Americangirl.com. The 18-inch doll comes with a set of accessories and a diary.
How much does an American Girl doll cost?
American Girl’s signature 18-inch dolls range in price from $135 to $295. The Girl of the Year 2026 is priced at $135. Toddler-approved Bitty Baby dolls range from $65 to $105.
What comes with the Raquel Reyes American Girl doll?
Adorned in an outfit reminiscent of Samantha Parkington’s style, the 18-inch doll comes in her signature box. She wears a pink-and-plum print top and a gingham-print full skirt, and has a matching hair tie with a gingham-print fabric bow. She also wears a golden cuff bracelet and pink slip-on shoes.
In addition to the doll, Raquel comes with a journal—her personal diary—in which she shares her passion for music and family history and reconnects with her relatives. The diary is a snippet of the full-length novel that releases this November.
At what age should my child start playing with American Girl dolls?
American Girl recommends their famous 18-inch dolls for kids ages 6+, but they also make dolls for toddlers and children ages 4+. From simple baby dolls for toddlers to historical characters with rich, diverse backgrounds for older children, parents should have no issue finding a doll suited for their children’s interests and needs. Raquel Reyes comes recommended for children ages 6+.
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Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
