Dolls of Our Lives

For our final episode, we took some twinspiration from the newest historical AGs: Isabel and Nicki Hoffman. When we meet Isabel, she is trying to perfect her Spice Girls choreography in time for a performance on New Year's Eve. Nicki, on the other hand, is learning how to make zines and skateboarding around Seattle. Both girls are struggling with sharing a bedroom, defining Girl Power, and the threat of a Y2K meltdown. We talk about twin tropes, our own pop culture memories from 1999, and the portrayal of Seattle in the book Finally, we wrap up by answering listener questions (Does Mary still miss Nan? What are our favorite house museums? Best part of doing the podcast?) and sign off one last time.  Thank you to all of our listeners! We so appreciate all of you, and the community we've made together. Thank you for being a friend!  Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) You can subscribe to Mary's newsletter, Landline, here: https://marymmahoney.substack.com/   Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

It's 1986, and Courtney Moore's summer break is off to a great start. After participating in Hands Across America, she's ready to hit the arcade, read her American Girl catalogue, and make new friends, including a boy named Isaac. But Courtney faces unexpected challenges when she hits the books that fall. When others learn that Isaac is HIV positive, he is forced to leave Courtney's school. For this episode, we brought in an expert to talk about Courtney's ensuing public health campaign and what someone her age would have known about the HIV crisis in the mid-1980s. Our special guest Myrna Moretti, a PhD Candidate at Northwestern University, also gave us great insight into how Courtney consumes technology, '80s arcade culture, and the real queer-led activist movement that fought for a cure for HIV/AIDS. Special Note: As we shared in the introduction, we have decided to end the show after covering "Meet Isabel and Nicki" on our next episode. We are so grateful for five wonderful years with this amazing community of listeners! We will keep the Discord community active and hope it continues to thrive (we love being part of it ourselves!) and will not produce a Patreon episode in April. We will be recording the final episode soon and would love to share your messages and answer a few questions. You can share messages and questions with us here: https://forms.gle/uzDk7A9DpScA5RvK8 We will also post on Instagram to collect messages and questions there. Thank you again for enriching our lives, and this show, beyond measure. Resources: Here is a lecture by Dr. Cait McKinney referenced by our guest, Myrna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHjXxV16So8&t=2006s  You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) You can subscribe to Mary's newsletter Landline here: https://marymmahoney.substack.com/ Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Join us as we travel back in time to our first episode! We’ll be back on April 1 with the second Courtney book (and a special guest!) Until then, enjoy younger versions of us when we were still learning how to podcast (but had timeless takes on Justin Timberlake). Subscribe to Mary’s newsletter, Landline, here: https://marymmahoney.substack.com/ You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Do you think of yourself as part of history? What about the Care Bears and Ms. Pac-Man? When American Girl first revealed that there would be a new historical character set in 1986, we were in shock. Having recovered from that surprise, we were delighted to meet the young person behind the bop "Hey Courtney." Through Courtney Changes the Game, we meet Courtney Moore, a nine-year-old living in California who loves gaming, space travel, and recycling. We discuss Courtney's family dynamics, presidential history in the book, and the shock of the Challenger explosion in early 1986.  Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

It's time for another American Girl road trip! In the second Claudie book, Brit Bennett takes us from Claudie's neighborhood in Harlem to her grandmother's house in Shellman, Georgia. Along the way, Claudie learns that there are different "rules" about living in the South and the North. She also sees a new side of her mother, an investigative journalist inspired by Ida B. Wells-Barnett. When Claudie returns to Harlem, she takes one of her grandmother's stories with her and offers an uplifting finale at the boardinghouse benefit concert. We discuss both of Claudie’s worlds and a bit about what’s happening in ours. Time Stamps: Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Subscribe to Landline, Mary's newsletter!  Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

To round out our Julie coverage, we read something we think she would love: Matt Tavares’s Hoops. This graphic novel (based on a true story) follows an Indiana girls’ basketball team’s first season post-Title IX. We discuss the characters’ activism on and off the courts--and the ways that sexism persists in sports today. This episode also includes a recap of the Julie videos, her days as a baller, and of course, our overall take on the Julie series.  Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

On this episode, we chat with podcaster and pop culture critic Kate Kennedy. Kate is the author of One in a Millennial, a fresh new take on millennial culture (that also comes out this week). We talk about Kate’s early interest in American Girl and the process of writing her life story (thus far). Kate shares what it's been like to return to her childhood faves and what she’s learned along the way about girlhood and growing up. If you have *~ thoughts *~ On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In ~ you will want to get cozy on a 90s daybed and put this episode on a burned CD (via Limewire, somehow) to enjoy Kate's wisdom. Follow Kate on Instagram: @kateKennedy @bethereinfive Visit her website: https://bethereinfive.com/about-kate-kennedy Order One in a Millennial: https://bookshop.org/a/95526/9781250285126 Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Happy 2024! While we take a break this week, we’re sharing a patreon ep from November where we answered patron questions about our book! Our patreon is a fun space where we share an extra listener-inspired episode per month, and offer access to our active discord community! Thanks to everyone who has bought, read, and shared our book! We love hearing from you and seeing your posts about it. Thanks for all of your support! We so appreciate this community! Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

We've already been through a lot with Julie Albright--but when a book promises a disco dance, we are in for the ride (and a mystery). In this episode, we travel with Julie to Chinatown and learn how to solve a crime after dinnertime. While reeling from roommate news and the discovery of a puzzling note, Julie has enough on her plate when she decides to visit The Happy Panda, Ivy's family's restaurant. Following a great meal, the plot thickens when Julie and Ivy's beloved dolls go missing. Never one to ignore an injustice, Julie is inspired to launch an investigation. Both Julie and Ivy get more than they have bargained for, however, when they decide to also track down Ivy's grandmother's long lost friend. This book includes an extensive plotline about "paper daughters" and the process of detention at Angel Island in California. We discuss Julie's mystery solving skills, the story of Chinese immigration around San Francisco, and of course, the culminating event of the book, a Valentine's day disco dance.  Resources: Check out the great resources from the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation site here: https://www.aiisf.org/virtualgallery  You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Julie Albright knows that few things are fair in fifth grade. Yet, even Julie is shocked to receive detention after passing a note and helping her new friend, Joy, in the classroom. On the heels of a useless afternoon in detention, Julie decides to run for office. While battling a fierce opponent promising time off and pizza parties, Julie also has to learn how to be a good friend and ally to Joy, who is mocked for being deaf. We discuss Julie's various activist streaks across all the books, the prevalent nostalgia for other days (mostly the 1950s) in this book, and representations of disability through the character of Joy.  Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

When your country is celebrating its 200th birthday, what kind of party do you throw? In the summer of 1976, Julie Albright wasted no time in getting herself involved in a complex bicentennial celebration. Along with her sister, Julie joins her cousin's family on a covered wagon trip to honor their country and Pony Express- riding- ancestor. On this "journey," Julie gets to meet a number of trinket-selling hucksters---and an elderly man who is descended from a signer of the Constitution. Julie also struggles with wanting to be a horse girl AND has some deep anxiety about being thrown off a horse. Last but maybe least, this book also includes a cameo by President Gerald Ford. We talked about which bicentennial events we would have wanted to attend and plans for the upcoming 250th. Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Mary Wiseman has played many roles in her life. For years, Mary was a first-person interpreter in the role of Martha Washington at Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon. During her time in Williamsburg, Mary also played an important role in the creation of Felicity Merriman. We talked with Mary about her involvement in Pleasant Rowland's plans for her company, the "birth" of Felicity, and her views on the uses of history. Don't miss this insider's take on the creation of a revolutionary character. Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod You can order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl You can order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

It’s book release day! To celebrate, we have a bonus episode featuring Kat Dennings. Kat sat down with us to chat about all things American Girl, starting with her early fandom. Tune in for an important millennial pop quiz, discussions of Kat’s AG-inspired fashion choices, and her current favorite things in pop culture. Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Join us at book events (virtual and in-person in CT, MA, and RI). Find out more here.  Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

For years, @5Hensandacockatiel has been one of the bright lights on AGIG, the community of American Girl creators on Instagram. More recently, the artist behind the handle has gotten her name in American Girl catalogues, and her artwork featured in an AG store. On this episode, we chatted with Sydney Rose Paulson, a long-time AG fan and podcaster who works for/with the brand. Sydney talked about her journey loving American Girl, from childhood play to her current career. Sydney also shared how she manages her collection, how to take a great doll photograph (hint: action!), and her recent experience at a Taylor Swift concert (a story you will definitely want to hear). Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Pre-order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Julie Albright doesn’t want much for her tenth birthday. All she’s really asking for is $1,000 to save a pair of national treasures—what could go wrong? Book four finds Julie fighting for a new cause after a chance encounter with a hurt animal. This time, Julie wants to see eagles fly again. We discuss her latest campaign, Earth Day, and news on the 2024 Girl of the Year. Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Join us at our virtual book launch with Margaret Lyons! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/allison-horrocks-and-mary-mahoney-dolls-of-our-lives-tickets-715394683757?aff=oddtdtcreator Join us at in-person book events! https://dollsofourlivespod.com/join-us-at-book-events Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Pre-order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Surprise! It's the winter of 1975 and time for Julie's third story. After a family fight breaks out on Christmas, Julie starts dreaming of a happier new year. With the support of her friend Ivy and the Ling family, Julie gets excited about new traditions. We discuss 1970s Christmas celebrations, the Ford White House, and what in the world is going on with the Albright family's finances. Episode Resources: Ford White House Christmas https://www.mlive.com/news/2017/12/gerald_and_betty_ford_christma.html Ping Pong Diplomacy https://diplomacy.state.gov/ping-pong-diplomacy-historic-1971-u-s-table-tennis-trip-to-china/#:~:text=Their%20trip%20was%20the%20start,people%20understanding%20and%20cultural%20exchange Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Pre-order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

What do paranoid presidents and curious children have in common? Both find tape recording devices to be life-changing. In Julie’s second book, she learns a lesson about the power of surveillance and gets dubbed Little Miss Watergate. We follow along as she struggles to write a report on the best and worst things to ever happen in her life. We discuss what Julie does and does not know about current events, her parents’ relationship, and the Peek into the Past on schooling in the 1970s.  Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Pre-order our audiobook: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl (Digital Audio) Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Julie Albright is going through some CHANGES and we are along for the ride! If you missed the six book format, you’ll be thrilled to dive into Julie’s world with us. In Meet Julie, we are introduced to the Albright family, BFF Ivy, and a coach/villain who rejects Title IX. Throughout this book, Julie has to overcome a number of challenges, including a move, career day, and sexism in middle school sports. We invite you to grab your handbags, gladbags, and other groovy Julie gear to treat yourself with a trip back to the ‘70s.   Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

Some journeys start with a dream, or just a favorite doll. Author and public historian Kayla Chenault grew up with American Girl. Kayla's fascination with the 1940s (via Molly) even led her to pursue volunteering and then working at a local historical society. In this episode, Kayla shares her perspective on Melody’s stories and depictions of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. Tune in for a spooky story about one possibly haunted Molly, a local's perspective on Melody, and a deep dive into the riots of 1967. To learn more about Kayla's work, follow her on Instagram: @kayla.c.author or visit her website: https://kc-writes.com/ To join us at BPL on Thursday, November 9th: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/64d14e9a591918360006d3f8 Resources: You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5

People say that music has the power to take us anywhere. American Girl took that literally with the third Melody book, Music in My Heart. In this choose-your-own adventure novel, we follow a protagonist as she goes back in time and navigates Melody's world. This forces us to decide whether we'd rather make music with Melody's brother or learn about the Civil Rights movement alongside her sister. With more than a dozen options for read-throughs, this book has something for everyone, including a Rosa Parks cameo. We discuss this genre of book, the choices we made in our journey with Melody, and our viewings of the Barbie movie.  Resources we reference:  Leslie Jamison. “The Enduring Allure of Choose Your Own Adventure Books.” The New Yorker. The New Yorker, September 12, 2022. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/09/19/the-enduring-allure-of-choose-your-own-adventure-books. ‌ ‌Beyonce's Assistant Choose-Your-Own Adventure Game by Landon: https://twitter.com/CORNYASSBITCH/status/1142592498730061824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1142592498730061824%7Ctwgr%5Eefe00af6e1d134b64b50971351d4c8d6ced087d9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fjunkee.com%2Fbeyonce-assistant-choose-adventure-game%2F210734  Show Resources:  You can find episodes, resources, and a link to our merch store and patreon on our website: dollsofourlivespod.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/dollsofourlivespod Pre-order our book: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Check out books we mention at our bookshop.org storefront. We love to hear from you! Drop us a line dollsofourlivespod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Instagram -@dollsofourlivespodcast Twitter - @dollslivespod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DollsOfOurLivesPod/ Follow Allison on Twitter and Instagram @allisonhorrocks Follow Mary @mimimahoney (Instagram) or @marymahoney123 (Twitter) Need a source of calm in your day? Listeners will get a free audiobook when you start a new monthly Libro.fm membership for $14.99 a month. You'll get two audiobooks for the price of one in your first month as a member. Valid in the US and Canada.Subscribe to Libro FM! Choose from over 150,000 audiobooks and even support your local bookstore with your purchases as a member. To sign up, use code DOLLS or this link: https://tidd.ly/3EwqiF5