The BeForever characters, which was/were originally known as "The American Girls Collection" or "Historical Characters," is/are designed to teach young girls (ages 8-13) about different time periods in American history. Each girl comes with a six book series that shows what that time period looks like through the eyes of a nine year old. Some of the BeForever characters have a best friend doll. The "Best Friends" dolls share the collections of the main characters, but each has her own book.
In Chronological Order:
Kaya, 1764
Kaya is a Native American girl of the Nimíipuu, or Nez Perce tribe. Kaya is a very active young girl, with a love of the outdoor lifestyle. She swims in the river every morning with the other girls. She cares greatly for animals, especially horses. She likes her grandmother's stories. She hopes to become a strong, courageous leader of her people. Kaya deeply cares about her family and friends. She is best friends with her sister Speaking Rain and they share many secrets with each other. She is also friends with Two Hawks.
American Girl characterizes her as "adventurous" and "daring" with a generous spirit.
In her book, Meet Kaya, her family reunites with other Nez Perce Indians to fish for red salmon. She learns that bragging, even about her swift horse, can lead to trouble.
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Felicity Merriman, 1774
Felicity, who is nicknamed Lissie, is a tomboyish, daring, adventurous, spunky, brave, and fiercely independent-minded girl. She is a very active girl at a time when young girls were expected to quite ladylike. She likes working in her garden and playing her guitar, which are considered feminine hobbies during her time in history. Felicity enjoys working in her father's store where she can imagine where all the items come from. She tends to behave more as a fine lady while at her father's store.
Felicity believes in fighting for what she wants and can be quite stubborn and headstrong at times. When she wants something, she goes for it, often without thinking about the consequences. She eventually learns how to be more of a lady throughout the series as she attends events such as a fancy dancing lesson, and learning how to serve tea.
In her book, Meet Felicity, she shows heroism by rescuing a beautiful horse that is being beaten and starved by its cruel owner.
Elizabeth Cole
Elizabeth Cole is Felicity's best friend. In spite of being quiet and shy, she is known to poke fun at her older sister Annabelle, with the help of Felicity. Elizabeth is also shown to be somewhat wealthier than her friend, as evidenced by having a larger home, and a larger garden.
In her book, Very Funny, Elizabeth, she and Felicity are known as pranksters in colonial Virginia. When big sister Annabelle becomes engaged, the girls pranks get them into big trouble!
Caroline Abbott, 1812
Caroline was born in a log cabin and is the only child in her family. She lives in Sackets Harbor, New York, and helps her family run a shipyard near the shores of Lake Ontario. Caroline enjoys sailing on the lake and ice skating during the winter. She also likes fishing and dreams of being captain of her own ship one day. Caroline loves embroidery and sewing.
Caroline is considered sweet and clever, but she is also adventurous, heroic and independent. Her friends call her a true hero because she's not afraid to put her courage to the test.
Her least favorite chore is baking, which she isn't very good at. She is proud of her father and will go to great lengths to please him and often boasts about him. Caroline loves her home town of Sacket's Harbor, and doesn't like leaving.
In her book, Meet Caroline, Caroline's world turns upside down. A British officer boards their sloop (a sailing vessel), and announces that Britain and America are once again at war, and takes her father prisoner.
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Josefina Montoya, 1824
Josefina is often full of good humor, and she likes to joke and tease. Like her father, she is quiet, except when with family, but full of ideas. Josefina loves chocolate and enjoys caring for flowers. Josefina is gentle, sweet, helpful, loyal, sensitive, and a good listener.
In her book, Meet Josefina, nine-year-old Josefina tries to help her sisters run the household after her mother's death.
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Marie-Grace Gardner, 1853
Marie-Grace has lived in many different places. She and her father return to New Orleans to make a fresh start after her mother and younger brother die. Because of all the changes in her life she is quite shy and feels out of place. She makes a new friend who helps build her confidence. She takes music lessons, enjoys singing and has excellent math skills. Because her mother has died, Marie-Grace has to help her father by tending to the household needs. She also helps her father, who is a doctor, and has helped heal many of the patients, including Marie-Grace's singing teacher.
In her book, Meet Marie-Grace, she meets a talented opera singer Mademoiselle Océana and becomes friends with Cécile Rey, a student of Mademoiselle.
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Cécile Rey, 1853
Cécile, whose nickname is Cécé, comes from a wealthy French-African-American family who are respected within the New Orleans community. Cécile wishes to become a stage actress, and shows a talent for storytelling, recitation, and poetry. Cécile is very good at keeping secrets, as she has proven to her friends. Cécile is characterized as being confident, curious, and loving the limelight. One of her dreams is to become a famous actress, and to dance at parties every night.
In her book, Meet Cécile, she looks forward to having a one-of-a-kind costume at Mardi Gras and her brother's return from France, while forming a friendship and having a daring adventure with Marie-Grace Gardner.
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Kirsten Larson, 1854
Kirsten is a brave, hardworking Swedish immigrant who begins her new life in the Minnesota Territory with her family. In the beginning, Kirsten faces many challenges and doesn't feel like she belongs in America. After some time on the farm she begins to adjust. Kirsten admires her mother, and wants to be as strong and brave as she is when she is older.
Kirsten is quite sensitive towards animals and children and makes friends easily. Kirsten loves to explore, and she especially loves to tell and keep secrets. She also likes to try new American customs. One she is especially good at is sewing. This is was custom that was not familiar to her in Sweden.
In her book, Meet Kirsten, nine-year-old Kirsten and her family endure many hardships as they travel from Sweden to their new home in America in 1854.
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Addy Walker, 1864
Addy lives with her mother in Pennsylvania. Her full name is Aduke, which means "much loved". Addy is a brave, and thoughtful child, who often risks her safety for the safety of others. Addy likes to help her mother in Mrs. Ford's dress shop. She is considered to be hard-working and resourceful.
Addy is a very intelligent child and good in school. She learns to read and write within months of starting school. She does so well that she is able to win a spelling bee in her class. Later, Addy is invited to further her education at a prestigious school for colored children. Addy also shows interest in being a teacher when she gets older.
In her book, Meet Addy, she escapes from a cruel life of slavery to freedom during the Civil War.
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Samantha Parkington, 1904
Samantha is an orphan because her parents died in a boating accident when she was five. She now lives with her wealthy old-fashion grandmother who/m she calls Grandmary. Samantha tries her best to please Grandmary and do what is right. She also has an uncle who is like a father figure to her. Samantha befriends a poor servant girl named Nellie O'Malley.
Samantha is fun and loves to laugh. She is loyal, giving, and helpful. Her friends consider her a "life saver" because she's always ready to help others. She loves to read; her favorite book is The Wizard of Oz. Samantha can play the piano, although she does not think she has much musical skill. She loves to paint and someday wishes that she could be as good of an artist as her mother was.
In her book, Meet Samantha, Samantha and her servant friend try to learn what happened to the seamstress who suddenly left her job.
In her book, Nellie's Promise, Nellie O'Malley and her two sisters finally have a home with Samantha's family, but Uncle Mike is determined to find them and take them away.
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Rebecca Rubin, 1914
Rebecca is nicknamed "Beckie" by her family. Her mother and grandparents immigrated from Russia. Rebecca's family is Jewish and honors their heritage. She wants to be an actress but her family does not approve. They want Rebecca to be a teacher. She likes to crochet and is very good at it. She also has shown to have a knack with business and making money.
Rebecca loves being in the spotlight but often gets overlooked by her siblings. She loves coming together for Sabbath dinner and always wants to be the one who lights the Sabbath candles. Her favorite subject in school is arithmetic, and her grandpa calls her a "math whiz." She would rather spend her leisure time in the splashing waves at Coney Island. Lastly, Rebecca struggles with trying to fit in to American culture and balance her own religion and cultural beliefs as well.
In her book, Meet Rebecca, nine-year-old Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl living in New York in 1914, aspires to be an actress, despite her family's objection to it, and uses her acting skills to raise money to save her cousins in Russia from danger.
Rebecca loves being in the spotlight but often gets overlooked by her siblings. She loves coming together for Sabbath dinner and always wants to be the one who lights the Sabbath candles. Her favorite subject in school is arithmetic, and her grandpa calls her a "math whiz." She would rather spend her leisure time in the splashing waves at Coney Island. Lastly, Rebecca struggles with trying to fit in to American culture and balance her own religion and cultural beliefs as well.
In her book, Meet Rebecca, nine-year-old Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl living in New York in 1914, aspires to be an actress, despite her family's objection to it, and uses her acting skills to raise money to save her cousins in Russia from danger.
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Kit Kittredge, 1934
Kit is a nickname for Margaret Mildred. She was named after her mother and aunt. She enjoys baseball, and her favorite player is Ernie Lombardi, the catcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Kit likes when boys are around because she believes they are always up to something. She considers herself to be a reporter. She has even won an award for her writing and has had an article published in the newspaper. She loves to read, and one of her favorite books is the story of Robin Hood. Kit aspires to be an independent person. She admires women like Amelia Earhart because she is seen as a spunky and independent pilot. Kit is funny and charming, often winning the love and support of others. She doesn't like to see people suffer and usually wants to bring attention to causes she believes in.
In her book, Meet Kit, her father's business closes and her family is forced to make changes because of the Great Depression. Nine year old Kit responds with resourcefulness.
Ruthie Smithens
Ruthie Smithens is Kit Kittredge's best friend. The only daughter of a banker, Ruthie loves princesses and fairy tale stories. Although Ruthie is unlike Kit because she likes girlie things, she is a loyal and courageous friend who will go to great lengths to help Kit.
In her book, Really Truly Ruthie, Ruthie would love to help Kit, whose family is struggling through the Great Depression. When she learns the Kittredges are having trouble paying the mortgage, she decides to find a way to reach Kit's aunt Millie in hopes of creating a happy ending.
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Molly McIntire, 1944
Molly McIntire is a young girl living in Illinois during the later years of World War II. She has an older sister named Jill, an older brother, Ricky, and a younger brother named Brad. Her father is stationed in England as a doctor caring for wounded soldiers, and her mother works at the Red Cross. Molly is very patriotic and does her part in helping the soldiers.
Molly is a lively and loveable girl who enjoys skating, movies, summer camp and signing camp songs. Molly is also considered to be a great tap dancer.
Her book, Meet Molly, takes place during World War II. Molly experiences many changes and adventures during her young life. She also has a silly brother that she plans revenge on for spoiling her Halloween.
Emily Bennett
Emily Bennett is a British girl who is sent to America by her family to protect her from the danger of the English battlefront during World War II. During her stay in America, Emily develops a friendship with Molly. Molly refers to her as her English friend.
In her book, Brave Emily, Molly gets a lesson in what true friendship is when Emily comes to stay with Molly's family during the bombing of London.
Emily Bennett is a British girl who is sent to America by her family to protect her from the danger of the English battlefront during World War II. During her stay in America, Emily develops a friendship with Molly. Molly refers to her as her English friend.
In her book, Brave Emily, Molly gets a lesson in what true friendship is when Emily comes to stay with Molly's family during the bombing of London.
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Maryellen had polio when she was seven years old during the Polio Epidemic of 1952. This resulted in one leg being weaker than the other and sensitive lungs. Despite her disability, she is a fast runner and excellent swimmer, and also enjoys roller skating. Maryellen is always full of big ideas, though most of them get her into trouble. Her favorite subject is geography; she's interested in foreign lands, history, and languages. Maryellen also loves to do mental math. She had been a Brownie Girl Scout prior to the series start, and has recently graduated to Girl Scouts when she entered into fourth grade.
In her book, The One and Only: Maryellen, she longs to stand out, though in a family of five brothers and sisters, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. A painting mishap garners her all the attention she didn't want.
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Melody Ellison, 1964
Melody and her family live in Michigan during the civil rights movement. Her dad works on an auto assembly line and her mother is a florist. Melody, a fan of "The Motown Sound," loves to sing and comes from a musical family. Her grandmother teaches voice and piano lessons. Her parents, especially her father, believe that education and college will be a bigger boost up for her than music.
Melody is the youngest of four children and has lovingly been given "pet names." Her grandmother calls her "baby chick" and her father calls her "Little One." Melody enjoys spending time outside gardening. She feels calm and peaceful when working in the dirt.
In her book, No Ordinary Sound, Melody pursues her singing dreams until a tragic event in Birmingham, Alabama, shakes her confidence.
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Julie Albright, 1974
Julie is an artistic young girl. She is crafty and creative and loves making things and decorating. Julie is also very determined. When she sets her mind on a project, she makes sure she completes it. She is always involved in new projects in her community, school, or for the environment.
In her book, Meet Julie, she tries to make the best of the new move by joining the school's basketball team, but the coach won't allow girls to play. Julie learns that it is up to her to make positive changes in her new school and her new life.
Ivy Ling is a Chinese American who is Julie's best friend. Ivy's hobby is gymnastics and she takes great pride in respecting her family traditions. Ivy is learning how to take responsibility for her own activities and interests.
In her book, Good Luck, Ivy, the only place Ivy feels at home is at gymnastics, but this year, the gymnastics tournament is on the same day as the annual Ling family reunion. With her brother's help, Ivy realizes she can take charge of her own life.
