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Meet the Newest BeForever Girl Nanea Mitchell

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Meet the Newest BeForever Girl Nanea Mitchell

nanea Meet the newest BeForever American Girl: Nanea Mitchell. A Hawaiian girl in the 1940s during Pearl Harbor and World War II, Nanea's stories show how the people of Hawaii faced it all with courage. Read to the end for a chance to win a Nanea doll of your own.

Girls everywhere can say “Aloha!” to American Girl’s newest BeForever character, Nanea Mitchell. Nanea is a Hawaiian girl growing up on the island of Oahu in 1941. Her story explores what life was like for islanders in the weeks leading up to and the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the U.S.’s entry into World War Two. In bringing this significant period in history to life for girls today, Nanea’s story illuminates how the courage, patriotism, and aloha spirit of the Hawaiian people inspired a nation at war and shows how one girl can make a meaningful difference in the face of big change. “At its heart, our BeForever line is about building a bridge of understanding, helping girls today see the interconnectedness—the feelings, experiences, hopes, and dreams—that exists between themselves and girls from long ago,” says Katy Dickson, president of American Girl. “We hope Nanea’s powerful story of resilience, responsibility to others, and contributing for the common good—or kokua, as it’s known in Hawaii—will resonate with girls and show them they have the power within to face the obstacles that come their way.”
Nanea
About the Nanea Series
This series introduces readers to 9-year- old Nanea Mitchell. Nanea loves her close-knit extended family, dancing the hula, fishing with her father, and playing with her dog, Mele. Nanea is also eager to “dip her paddle in” to be useful at home and at her grandparents’ store. When Pearl Harbor (the naval base where her father works) is attacked by Japan, the peaceful existence the Mitchells and their neighbors enjoy is replaced with martial law, and rumors of additional attacks and frequent air-raid drills have everyone on edge. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, Nanea embraces her spirit of aloha and deeply held belief in kokua—doing good deeds and giving selflessly—to do her part for the war effort and help restore peace to her beloved Hawaiian home. To help ensure the historical accuracy and cultural authenticity of Nanea’s story and products, American Girl worked closely with a five-member advisory board who provided their expertise in Hawaiian culture, language, and history to inform all aspects of Nanea’s development—including the doll, books, outfits, and accessories. To support Nanea’s inspiring message, from August 21 until the end of 2017, American Girl will be collecting donations for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program to help provide comfort and care to the members of the military, veterans, and their families. American Girl will match every dollar donation made at americangirl.com or at any American Girl store in the U.S. up to a maximum total donation of $75,000. American Girl is also giving $575,000 worth of its signature 18-inch dolls to the American Red Cross to provide a bit of cheer to children in times of crisis.
Nanea Activities
To engage girls in Nanea’s world and her inspirational message, American Girl is also introducing the following activities and events:
  • Nanea Island Inspiration Sweepstakes: American Girl has partnered with Visit Oahu on a sweepstakes for the chance to win a fun-filled family getaway for four to Oahu, which includes round-trip travel on Hawaiian Airlines, a four-night stay at The Royal Hawaiian, tickets for four to the Aha Aina Luau Show, a visit to two attractions at Pearl Harbor, and a Nanea doll.
  • Retail Events: Nanea-themed events will also be held at the American Girl stores throughout the year.
  • Videos and Online Play: Behind-the- scenes videos on Nanea’s story and development, along with fun Hawaiian-themed craft and activity videos, are available on American Girl’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/americangirl. Girls can also visit the Nanea-dedicated site for book excerpts, games and quizzes, wallpaper, and much more.
  • Nanea Learning Materials: A free, downloadable teacher’s guide, which explores themes and issues covered in the Nanea book series, is available online.
How to Purchase
The Nanea product collection is available at americangirl.com, through American Girl’s catalogue, at all American Girl retail locations nationwide, and at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo ™ and Chapters ™ in Canada and El Palacio de Hierro locations in Mexico City. The Nanea books can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers.
About the American Red Cross 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for- profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit them on Twitter at @RedCross. The Red Cross emblem is a protected symbol designated for use by the United States armed forces and the American Red Cross under federal statute.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbie Erickson says

    I love that Nanea’s story is about the events of WWII and Pearl Harbor and how Nanea and her family concentrated on helping others!

    Reply

  10. Paula Gillespie says

    I love how Nanea embraces her spirit and her beliefs and that she does good deeds and gives selflessly. I especially like how she does her part to help restore peace to her beloved Hawaiian home. Just think if everyone did good deeds and gave selflessly and helped restore peace to where they live how nice our country would be.

    Reply

  27. Judy Swanson says

    After visiting Hawai‘i so often, the girls would love a doll from this state. Visiting Pearl Harbor also makes her story more meaningful to the two of them. She would be treasured!

    Reply

  28. Judith Bayer says

    I love her story because it reminds me of my mother’s story. My mother was a young teenager in the Philippines when they were invaded by the Japanese during WWII and she had a harrowing life during the war. She survived and was able to live a great life and but a great role model for her six children.

    Reply

  29. Sheryl Holden says

    I like the way she reminds us of our history with the Pearl Harbor attack and that she is loyal to her family

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  32. Vanessa says

    Currently teaching my daughter to honor her ancestors and this is the perfect doll for that. Plus she doesn’t have one American girl doll yet, this would be a dream come true for her. Thank you and good luck to all,.

    Reply

  37. Nicole Eason says

    I had Molly growing up and loved learning how her life was different from mine. I would love for my daughter to have this doll!

    Reply

  38. Tamra Phelps says

    What a great idea for an American Girl doll. I’ve always liked WW2 history, so a doll that fits into that time period is appealing. My niece would love it.

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  41. Stephanie says

    Love how she never lost sight of how important family is and how that’s most important. Then to also assist others.

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  42. Leslie W says

    I’m a huge history buff and being able to share my love of history with my kids is awesome. My daughter loves AG dolls and I love that through their back stories I can have incredible conversations with my girl about things that actually happened.

    Reply

  48. Angela Hendricks says

    I love American Girl Dolls and I love how Nanea is true to her culture. I think this is a wonderful way for American girl to explore and teach our children about different cultures through play.

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  49. Flo Tefteller says

    Besides being a beautiful doll. To me having a patriotism story and beautiful culture like Hawaiian in a doll it totally rocks. We need more toys with real meaning.

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  57. Nicole H says

    I love her story and she’s so cute. I love how she’s the start of much more diversity in AG’s dolls. It’s been a long time coming.

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  63. Sarah B says

    My daughter loves American Girl. We have begun to read Nanea’s story and love how generous and kind she is. I am very fascinated by WWII history and look forward to reading about Pearl Harbor with my daughter. My mom’s brother was killed in WWII and I know when we read about Pearl Harbor, it will be very emotional.

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  66. Nancy Hansen says

    She is adorable and to highlight Hawaii, Pearl Harbor and World War II is even an added plus.
    I love Hawaii and the Hawaiian people they are so loving and kind.

    Reply

  67. Ken C says

    I like that nanea’s story is set during Pearl harbor and that great detail has gone into ensuring accuracy to tell the history of the time and the great heritage of this culture.

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  69. Rosanne says

    I think she is inspirational because she grew up in a difficult time in our history. She shows courage like many did during WWII. I wish we could be more patriotic like she is.

    Reply

  72. Eileen Boyce says

    i love her courage and free spirit and learning about Hawaii. It would be nice to do one on all the states to teach the history and facts about each state and the kids would remember it better.

    Reply

  73. Kayla Klontz says

    I absolutely love that she’s a historical doll that’s related to world war 2 and I love that she’s such a free spirit!

    Reply

  75. Kelly D says

    I love how it shows how Nanea wanted to help at home and with her grandparent’s store, but how the Pearl Harbor attack changed their way of life. I think my daughter could find a way to relate to this (She is 9).

    Reply

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