Last week my daughter Katherine was so excited to find the newest American Girl BeForever character, Nanea Mitchell—a Hawaiian girl growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1941. She is a HUGE Moana fan so knowing this doll does alot of the same things Moana does really made her fall harder for this doll. But Nanea is more than just a doll she also represents a big part of American History.
Each doll doll comes with a red Lily barette for Nanea's hair but also a story that focuses on Nanea and what was happening in her life in 1941 more specifically on the bombing of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath, illuminating for girls today the courage and aloha spirit of islanders whose home-front experience during World War Two was unlike that of mainland Americans. Nanea’s 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.
Written by Newberry Honor Award-winning author Kirby Larson, the Nanea 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.
Katherine is totally in love with Nanea, from the second I opened the American Girl box she takes her doll everywhere. Nanea is a beautiful 18-inch doll with dark hazel eyes, tan skin, and long dark brown hair. She comes with a lily flower barrette that clips into her hair and cute brown sandals. She is dressed in an adorable pair of white sailor shorts and a red sleeveless button down shirt with flowers.
To learn more about Nanea and the BeForever line of historical characters, go to americangirl.com
Macaroni Kid received a complimentary American Girl Doll Nanea doll for review purposes. No other compensation was received.
