Introducing Melody Ellison. The newest American Girl doll from the BeForever line of courageous and smart characters, that bring America’s history to life for girls.
Melody Ellison, is a a 9-year old growing up in Detroit, Michigan, during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, lifts her voice for equality and helps bring this significant time in America’s history to life for girls today. With the struggle for equality and justice still prevalent today, Melody bridges the past and present for girls and shows them how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they come together to make a meaningful difference.
The stories were written by award-winning author Denise Lewis Patrick, the Melody stories introduce readers ages 8 and up to Melody Ellison, who loves her close-knit family, gardening with her grandparents, and singing her heart out. Whether she’s in the children’s choir at church, backing up her brother’s Motown music, or singing into a hairbrush with her sisters, Melody loves blending her voice with others. When Melody is asked to sing her first solo at church, she’s determined to find the right song and make it perfect. She’s inspired by the words of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by her oldest sister, a college student who is taking action to make things fair for all African Americans. As Melody experiences discrimination herself, and as she hears about the atrocities happening throughout the country, she discovers that her voice is her mightiest strength and, when joined with the voices of many, it can bring about monumental changes.
To further engage girls in Melody’s world and her inspirational message, American Girl is introducing the following activities and events:
- Lift Your Voice with Melody: To encourage people to share their photos and videos of how they’re
speaking up to make a difference, fans can watch the Lift Your Voice with Melody video at
americangirl.com/liftyourvoice and then share their own inspiring videos and photos, using
#LiftYourVoice. - Melody Learning Materials: For parents and teachers, free, downloadable Melody Learning and
Reader Discussion Guides, which explore themes and issues from the 1960s, are available at
http://www.americangirl.com/corporate/parents-and-teachers - Detroit Community Support: American Girl is partnering with the Detroit Public Library system (22
branches) and donating $100,000 in free Melody books for any area child who wants one through the
end of 2016; $50,000 in funds to support the children’s area throughout the library system; and
$25,000 in Melody dolls to be used for fundraising and incentives. The entire donation to the library is
valued at $175,000. - Melody Amazon Special: An original American Girl live-action special, Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win,
an American Girl Story, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video this fall. The Melody special is an
Amazon adaptation of American Girl’s original created stories.
My daughter adores Melody and loves hearing her story. She cant read on her own yet but I’ve been reading the book to her before bed. It is an important time in history and I want her to be inspired by Melody’s courage.
Want to read our other American Girl reviews? Read about WellieWishers, Bitty Baby, and Bitty twins. My daughter adores her American Girl dolls.
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Disclosure: I received a Melody Ellison to facilitate my review. All opinions stated here are my own.