Why I NEED Courtney Moore (New American Girl Historical Character)

If getting a new American Girl doll friend that represents ME means it's a Historical Character, then so be it. I was 11 in 1986. Courtney Moore™ is BASICALLY ME. Though I suspect she's WAY cooler than I was.

Needless to say, I'm super excited about Courtney and I cannot wait to meet her. Like TOTALLY AWESOME! I'm going to have an impossible time choosing which of her rad accessories to get first! I'm eyeing Pac-Man and remembering all the times I played it in the arcade as super cool 5th grader.

Who is Courtney Moore

She is a total ‘80s girl whose big, bright and bold ideas inspire today’s girls to find their inner hero to accomplish great things. Growing up in 1986, Courtney’s story reflects the pop culture of the decade from sky-high hair, neon-colored fashions, music television, and video gaming to major historical moments surrounding women in government and space exploration, as well as larger cultural shifts around blended families and emerging technology.

Like I said, she's ME. I never thought I'd relate to a doll, but I'm relating to a doll and I love it. I had so much fun telling my daughter Quincy about Courtney and how it related to my childhood. The nostalgia is HUGE and I love it!  From the fashion (I owned jeans JUST like Courtney's), to arcades and even the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Courtney's Books

Written by Kellen Hertz, the two-book series introduces girls to Courtney Moore, an avid gamer growing up with her blended family in the fictional town of Orange Valley, CA. Courtney loves going to the mall, especially the arcade, where she’s one of the top-scoring PAC-MAN™ players. But Courtney doesn’t only play video games, she’d like to create them and bring more girl characters to the forefront. When given a chance to create her own video game, Courtney looks to real-life heroes—like her mom, who’s running for mayor, as well as the astronauts on the Space Shuttle Challenger—as inspiration to invent a female superhero who’s bold, brave, and gives Courtney the courage to speak up for the people and ideas she believes in.

As a mom with a very tech savvy 10 year old who dreams big, I love that , American Girl is partnering with Girls Who Code, a leading nonprofit that’s on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like and does. From now through December 31, 2020, American Girl is matching customer donations dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $50,000 to support the organization’s programming and outreach to girls, including those from historically underrepresented minority groups. In addition, American Girl is providing a $5,000 scholarship to four deserving Girls Who Code members to help further their education in computer science or a related field. To learn more about how American Girl is helping Girls Who Code, visit americangirl.com/gwc.

Other Courtney-themed activities and events include the following

• A 25-minute stop-motion “Meet Courtney: An American Girl Movie;” a new Courtney ‘80s-inspired Music Video; new Dolled Up episodes—featuring all the big hair fun Courtney and friends can handle; plus rad ‘80s DIY crafts on the brand’s popular YouTube and YouTube Kids Channel.

• Visitors to American Girl retail stores on September 25 will receive a free Courtney craft and giveaway. And in early October, fans can “relax to the max” in an all-new ‘80s-themed immersive experience at American Girl Place-New York, featuring a Courtney-inspired bedroom with bunk beds and a revolving closet that mixes-and-matches her outfits, plus an ‘80s arcade with two real PAC-MAN™ video games to play.

• A dedicated Courtney play site, goes live on October 1, and includes free games and activities, like Courtney’s interactive mall experience; an ‘80s-inspired dance challenge tutorial; Courtney wallpapers; and much more.

The Courtney collection is available September 15, 2020, at americangirl.com, and starting September 25, 2020, at all American Girl retail locations nationwide. Courtney products will be available on October 1, 2020, at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo^™ and Chapters^™ locations in Canada and online at Indigo.ca. The Courtney doll and book retails for $110 and the Courtney books ($7.99 each) can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers.