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Did you have an American Girl Doll growing up, or wish you had had one? Author Angela Cervantes did. As a child, she dreamed of owning Josefina Montoya or Samantha Parkington. Years later, that childhood love has come full circle: Angela is now the author behind the books for the American Girl Doll of the Year 2026, Raquel Reyes. Raquel takes on Kansas City! Angela was approached by American Girl in 2024 to write the 2026 Girl of the Year, marking the second time the company sought her out to bring one of their dolls to life. At the time, she already had a few books published with Scholastic and had written two junior novelizations with Disney, including Coco. “I didn’t realize that other publishers could seek you out and ask you to do projects for them,” Angela said. “So, it was a nice blessing.” Angela Cervantes For Angela, the opportunity was deeply personal. Having spent most of her adult life in Kansas City, she has long drawn inspiration from its Mexican American culture and tight-knit community. When American Girl approached her, they gave her just two requirements: the doll had to reflect Mexican American heritage and be a descendant of a former American Girl doll. Everything else was up to her. That freedom allowed Angela to create Raquel Reyes, the first American Girl doll to be a descendant of another doll, Samantha Parkington, one of the brand’s original three. Raquel is Samantha’s great-great-granddaughter, and the two share subtle connections, including a love for gingham. Angela Cervantes with Raquel Reyes. Although American Girl initially suggested San Antonio as Raquel’s hometown, Angela chose Kansas City. As she was developing Raquel’s story in February 2024, Our Town’s Mexican American community was experiencing profound loss. Lisa Galvan, a beloved DJ whom Angela knew growing up, was killed at the Super Bowl rally downtown. Just days later, Clara Reyes, founder of Kansas City’s bilingual newspaper, Dos Mundos, passed away afte