special report

American Girl

American Girl is published bi-monthly by Pleasant Company. Target age is 8+ Girls seen inside magazine, or heard from in reader mail top out at 13.

From the Guidelines

Fiction – contemporary up to 2300 words. Protagonist must be 8 – 12. Especially likes humor and seasonal. No romance. No science fiction, fantasy, or horror.

Nonfiction – 150 words or less profiles of girls within AG’s reader age. Crafts or Recipes (directions are usually one paragraph long – often 50 words or less). Longer nonfiction must be queried. The also take collection articles containing several crafts or recipes on a single theme – should be simple to do, inexpensive, and keep safety in mind. Also interested in seasonal puzzles and games.

Pays on Acceptance. Responds in 12 weeks. $500 for stories, $300 for articles.

American Girl
8400 Fairway Place,
Middleton, WI 53562-2554

From the Masthead:
Editorial Director – Michelle Nowadly Watkins
Executive Editor – Kristi Thom
Sr. Managing Editor – Barbara E. Stretchberry
Article Editor – Mary Richards
Lifestyle Editor – Jessica Hastreiter
Editorial Coordinator – Sarah Yates

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

Contents:
April 2006

Letters from You – Girls compliment the crafts, the advice from readers, and talk about an article with “tips” on how to feel better when you’re sick.

Girls Express – [Editors frequently note that this is the area of American Girl most in need of freelancers]

Chick it Out! Cute chick decorations from flat-bottomed wooden eggs, wooden pre-cut shapes, paint, feathers and wiggle eyes. Has three steps and no “what you need” list. [87 words – including a note “available at craft stores’ after each wooden piece needed for the craft.]
Did You Know? – short blurbs, national siblings day and a “buzzword” – an unusual vocabulary word, in this case: bamboozle.
Let’s Face It – Cute graphic-based explanation of what IM emoticons stand for.
Lunch Box – Again, graphic-based suggestions for different pita sandwiches.
Springtime – poem from a reader.
True Story – a reader letter telling of her fight with cancer and something she decided to do to help others.
Creative Corner – treat made from dipping chocolate, a swoop candy, and shaped candy sprinkles. [42 words – includes “with an adult’s help” before “melt chocolate.]
AG Poll – results of a reader poll, and request for more reader input.
Ten Things to Do Before School’s Out – includes ideas for being thoughtful and helping others (pick bouquet for classroom, pack lunches for mom) and ideas for being more responsible (do homework on Friday night to free up weekend) and just some fun and educational ideas (letters to the editor and learning something new).
Screen Star – software created by a girl and her mom.
AG Art Gallery – Art projects from readers aged 9 – 13.
Shining Stars – short piece on sisters who raise money for charity. [148 words – 2 direct quotes, one from each sister.]

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring – Reader art in response to a contest. They drew umbrellas – readers aged 8 – 13.

Heart to Heart – Stand Up – reader input about standing up for yourself.

Cooking – Sleepover Snacks – directions for each snack are only a paragraph long and ingredients are introduced in the directions, not in a list.

1. Microwave popcorn with toppings (includes “ask an adult” for using the microwave.)
2. Smoothies (includes “ask an adult” on using the blender)
3. Chocolate Fondue (uses the microwave and includes both ask an adult and cautions about hot melted chocolate.)
4. S’nore mix – no cooking.
5. Snoozewiches – cookies made from cake mix, shortening, and egg. (includes “ask an adult” on using the oven.)

Are You A Money Minder? Quiz. Each question basically has two answers –one where the kid spends money and one where she doesn’t. The answers make it clear that saving is always better.

Shop Smart – how stores are designed to encourage you to buy.

Six Ways Not to Buy – Includes asking yourself if you need it, imagining the spending habits of someone you admire, considering long-term, and remembering that money spent now is money you don’t have later.

Friendship Matters – Are You Too Jealous? Quiz. Again only two answers and it’s very clear which one is “right.” The next page has tips on overcoming jealousy of friends.

Get Organized - How-to make inexpensive junk organizers. Each item gets a paragraph. Needed items are introduced in the directions, not in a separate list.

Dynamite Displays – Covering cork squares to make boards and making unusual tacks for the board. Also using clothespins to clip pictures and using pants hangers as clips to hang art. And decorating cookie sheets to make magnetic boards. Again, needed items introduced in the single paragraph directions.

Super Storage – more recycling or unusual uses for items to make storage containers from tin boxes, ice cube trays, and others.

Victoria 101 – Celebrity interview.

Plenty of Pranks – harmless April Fool’s pranks.

Confessions of a Former Only Child – Written in first person about an 11-year-old girl coming to terms with the changes in her life from being the sister of an infant.

Puzzles:

Brainwaves – maze.
Photo Fun – picture puzzle, choosing the right “slice” to complete a photo
In the Dark – picture puzzle, match a shadow to the right image
Piece O’Pizza – a short logic puzzle
Popcorn Puzzler – a picture puzzle…color in shapes to answer a riddle
Hanky Out Tone – scrambled words in a letter.
Laffateria – reader riddles
Fun With Friends – A reading game, a fun language game, a math trick

Be Happy/Stay Happy – 100 things to be happy about

Help – advice column answers friendship questions, homework, ear piercing, babysitting.

This page last updated on 01 May 2006