NEED TO KNOW

PEOPLE is exclusively introducing American Girl's 2026 Girl of the Year, Raquel Reyes

Raquel's great-great-grandmother is one of the original American Girl dolls, Samantha Parkington

Raquel's journal shares her life in Kansas City and travels to New England as she learns about her family history and herself

American Girl has a very special Girl of the Year!

PEOPLE can exclusively share that the 2026 Girl of the Year is Raquel Reyes! Raquel's mom is a direct descendant of American Girl OG Samantha Parkington. That background, combined with her Mexican American heritage from her dad, makes a fascinating character that is sure to be adored.

Raquel, 10, lives in Kansas City, where her parents run a shop that sells paletas. Raquel has a little brother and a Pomeranian rescue

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