Mattel Turns 40 With Adult Novel Reimagining American Girl Icon
A new historical mystery by Fiona Davis reinterprets the 1920s life of Samantha Parkington for a grown-up audience.
By Jonathan Hoffmann ·
Mattel has released the first adult novel in the American Girl franchise, marking the 40th anniversary of the doll line with a new story centered on a character from the early 20th century. The book, titled Samantha: The Next Chapter, was written by historical fiction author Fiona Davis and hit shelves on Oct. 1. It represents a shift in the brand’s storytelling, moving from children’s literature to a format designed for older readers who have followed the franchise since childhood.
The American Girl brand launched in 1986 with three original dolls representing different eras in American history. Kirsten Larson depicted a Swedish immigrant in Minnesota during the late 1800s, while Samantha Parkington lived in upstate New York in the early 1900s. Molly McIntire represented life in Illinois during World War II. The lineup expanded in subsequent years to include Kit Kittredge, who lived through the Great Depression, Addy Walker, an escaped slave during the Civil War, and Felicity Merriman, a resident of colonial Williamsburg in the 1770s. Each character was accompanied by a doll and a series of books tailored for young readers.
The new novel places Samantha in 1920, when she is a 25-year-old teacher and suffragist. In the story, she returns to her home in Mount Bedford to stay with her grandmother, known as Grandmary. Samantha spends her summer educating women on how to vote, a process that was accessible to New York women before the national passage of the 19th Amendment. She plans to attend teacher’s college in the fall to earn a master’s degree and study new instructional methods.
Her plans are interrupted when criminals attempt to steal her family inheritance. The plot leaves her without funds while legal proceedings unfold. A lawyer advises her to wait for the courts to resolve the issue, suggesting that the matter is not one for a woman to handle directly. This advice motivates Samantha to investigate the theft herself.
While conducting her investigation in New York City, Samantha encounters two romantic interests, a risky employer, and a complex network of criminal activity. The narrative blends historical fiction with mystery elements. Readers who are familiar with the original series will recognize several returning characters, including Uncle Gard, Aunt Cornelia, and the twins Agatha and Agnes.
The physical book features a design that reflects the character’s visual identity. The pages have plaid sprayed edges in red, white, and blue, colors associated with Samantha’s iconic dress. This release is currently the only adult novel in the series, though the publisher has not announced a formal schedule for additional titles in the adult line.
