Reviews For American Girl Magazine

Unfortunately we purchased the magazine thinking there would be perhaps some short stories or other information on a monthly basis about the actual American Girls Dolls and there is not even a mention of the dolls. No facts, no stories, no puzzles - nothing! So don't purchase it if your daughter or granddaughter is a fan of the dolls as it is simply a girl magazine with early teen related articles and as such has no interest for an actual American Girl Doll fan.

I think this magazine should be for ages 6-10. I stopped liking this magazine when I was 11 and my mom makes me still get it since my subscription doesn't expire untill AM 07! This magzine only comes out 6 times a year and is 27.99 to subscribe! It's for younger girls because it has cheesy party ideas and crafts. It also has stories written about 9-11 year olds. Here's what the next issue is going to be about: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006

BEST FRIENDS
Girls like you tell about the friends who helped them when they need it most.

FRONT PAGE NEWS
Find out who won our cover contest and see their ideas for the magazine!

COZY CUPS
Readers best drink recepies for chilly days

POETRY PAGES
See the winners of our Poetry Contest!

HOLIDAY MISHAPS
Funny tales about things that didn't go so well at the holidays.

GOODY BAGS
Holiday gifts to make and share with everyone on your list!

I'm thinking about sending my subscription to my 5-year-old cousin.

A review by KaPrI

...instead of "American Girl", it needs to be "All-American Girl", because that's the only type of girl that most of this magazine's content will appeal to. There are a few sections that address serious problems that young girls face, such as "Help!" (an advice column of sorts), but the majority is hand-crafted for girls who are cute, popular, and have perfect, nuclear families that sensibly and neatly work out problems together.

Every single issue has a huge amount of pages dedicated to throwing parties. Although I'm sure these parties would be very fun for girls who had tons of friends who got along perfectly, plus incredibly wealthy families, they don't make sense for the majority of American girls. They all require a huge amount of time, money, and people. Given today's busy, hectic lifestyle in which both kids and parents are overscheduled, it simply doesn't add up.

Also included in each magazine is a number of short stories that, while sometimes creative plot-wise, are all obviously designed to preach cookie-cutter morals. For a magazine that's supposed to be empowering and inspiring young girls, content like these stories too often seems to be insulting their intelligence.

To be fair, the mag isn't completely fluffy and worthless. There are always a couple of nice real-life stories and such. However, overall the whole thing is too dumbed-down, too cutesy, and not nearly diverse enough. Unless you come from an upper-class family and have a daughter with dozens of friends, plus at least one parent who can constantly be with her to supervise crafts, parties, and activities, skip this and buy her some books instead.

I have been subscribing to AG Magazine since 1993, the very beginning. (Yes, that means I'm in my 20s now.) I am reluctant to let go of my subscription since I have been a subscriber for so long and have nearly every issue, but honestly, the quality of the magazine has gone so far downhill in the past years that I'm considering letting my long-running subscription run out soon. The magazine used to be focused on history, incorporating stories about the American Girl historical girls (Felicity, Samantha, etc) and history lessons (for example, a story about Samantha learning to ride a bike was followed by an article focusing on the history of girls riding bikes since the 1700s), famous art/paintings, paper dolls made out of real girls who sent in stories about their ancestry, short stories by famous authors from well-respected literature, and much more. These days, it's mostly about "easy things to cook" or "making mini crafts for your dolls". I don't think that the AG magazine is a bad magazine, and I do like the positive message it sends to girls (especially when so many other magazines are focused on makeup, boys, and fashion), but it's not the fun, educational look into history that it once was. If I weren't already a longtime subscriber, I definitely wouldn't start now. My children (if and when I have any) will be reading my old back issues for sure... but the current ones are really not worth saving.

I used to be subscribed to this magazine when I was about 11 years old. Back then it was really interesting but after I turned 12 I wanted to read magazines that had more stuff about things like celebrities and make up, and American Girl doesn't have that. They do, however, have a lot of different crafts and recipies that younger kids under 12 will enjoy. I think that after your kid turns 12 you should subscribe them to a different magazine like Discovery Girls which will be more suitable for them, and have more things directed at their age group, and things that will probably interest them more. Either way, American Girl is still a good magazine!

This is a magazine good for 8 year olds, maybe 9 year olds, but if you are say, 10, 11, or 12, this magazine is boring. It doesn't have any realistic advice about school, boys, etc. It is a lot of stuff you usually aren't interested in at this age, like crafts, etc. Only a few articles are good. If you aren't exactly ready for a teen zine, but want something slightly more grown up, try Discovery Girls.

Oh My GoD tHiS mAgAzInE iS lIkE sO gOoD!
This magazine is boring! I for one am a young girl and I like Teen People more! American Girl is just crafts and how to get along with your siblings. Nothing about boys or any cute boys! I recommend GL or Teen instead of American Girl.

I used to be a suscriber to AG for about two years and I look back at it now, this mag is way too superficial. I have never tried any of the parties(they are lame anyway) AG just doesn't understand that regular girls in America just don't have time for their lame parties. Another reason why I can't stand this mag is the advice in the Help! column. Okay, they make the person feel like losers, and I've noticed that if something happens with someone's friend, and it's the friend's fault, it's like the people giving the advice make it seem like the person has to bow down to their friend. ???? Horrible advice. Just horrible. The short stories most of the time are badly written. The whole time I subscribed to this garbage, there has only been two or three stories I enjoyed, but most of them were stupid.
Basically, this magazine does not inspire girls. It just dumbs them down.

NOT TO PARENTS FROM A PARENT: THIS MAGAZINE IS VERY DIRTY! IT TALKS ABOUT SEXUALITY, STDS, AND MUCH MORE WE DON'T WANT OUR YOUNG CHILDREN READING. ALSO THE CRAFTS USUALLY INCVLUDE USING A STOVE, THEY SAY USE ADULT SUPERVISION, BUT WHAT CHILD WILL REALLY LISTEN AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOUR HOUSE WILL BURN DOWN TOO (PERSONAL EXPERIENCE).

My Daughters Review (10): My burning down the house was an ACCIDENT! I thought I could handle it but I couldn't! I think this magazine ROX!!! Cute crafts, stupid advice, but what are you going to do? Also my only complaint is so boys!
I wouldn't get this magazine if you're boy crazed! Don't say I didn't warn you, gurllll!

Okay so i gave this 2 stars because it god for girls under 10 becuase when U R under ten years old you have not gone throw puberty no insert in boys and make up and celebs and that other stuff. Because it show girls fun crafts and party ( that they REALLY over do )And the only celeb they show are cheesy pops stars like hillary duff and hannah montona. Once your over ten years old u go throw puberty you see get a girl chest and start to naturally think about boys! they porposlly try to keep the word CRUSH out like it is a bad cuss word or something. anyway Girls do naturally think about boys and what will happen if she has a crush she will just learn how to make a fun craft!! ooo!! And also she feels very insuce like dude you wake up i hate my hair and you just really want to put make up on your face. And no i am not talking about every day going around with eyeliner, lipstick, blush, and eye shadow!! and more!! More about celebs i think discovery girls is better here what they other in american girl -

FREINDSHIP!
girls who have true freinds.

WARM COCA!
how to make some yummy treats on chilly days by real girl like YOU!

MOMMYS THAT ROCK!
moms that rock!

GOOD GIRLS THAT HAD IDEAS FOR THE MAGIZINE!
girls that came up with some cute ideas!

CUTE PUPPYS!!
Adorable puppys!

HELP!
Girls that need help!!

now discovery girls -


MEET THE DISCOVERY GIRLS-
Of Albama.

BEHIND THE SCENES! -
totally lol worthy behind the scenes.

THE WORST DAY!
thing that have happend to girls that really sucked!

ASK ALI!
have crush issues? Here!

HANGING WITH THE STARS!
chillen with kirsten stweart!!

and more GET DISCOVERY GIRLS NOW!