This month when this magazine arrived at my house I was wondering how much longer we would be subscribing. This is not because I don't enjoy my daughter reading it or even looking at it myself. It is because my daughter is 13 and going into the eighth grade.

This is a wonderful magazine for pre-teen and even teenagers in my opinion. There isn't the push to be older in clothes or makeup like there is in other magazines for girls. You don't have to worry about your daughter reading the magazine and seeing something you would not want her to.

My daughter was interested in this magazine after getting an American Girl doll and the series of books that inspired the doll. It has been inspiring to her to read and be creative.

Here are some sections that we enjoy in the magazine, first and foremost is the cooking section. I like the fact that the directions are very simple. They will tell the girls if they will need help doing the recipe. Most of the time they can make them by themselves. The ingredients are often ones that you already have in your kitchen.

The Giggle Gang is a section in which you will find games, puzzles, and brain teasers. There is a box at the end that will give you the answers to the puzzles in case you get stumped.

Who's that Girl? is my favorite section of the magazine. On the first page you will get five clues about a woman when she was a girl. There is often a picture of the woman as a little girl or teenager. You get a couple of guesses that are offered to you as to what this young girl grew up to do before you turn the page and learn the answer. The next page has the answer and a nice page about the person. The woman who is featured gives a piece of advice to American Girls.

There are sections such as, Letters from You and Help! in which the girls can write in with questions they have and get the answers. These are generally questions that many girls this age have about family, friends, school, etc.

In every issue there is an American Girl poll. They ask a question in one issue and in the next give the answer. There is a form that you can fill out and send in with your answer to the poll.

We have quite a collection of paper dolls from the American Girl magazine. They are included with every issue. You will get one doll and a couple of period outfits for your doll. There is a bit of background for your doll which makes it interesting.

I must tell you that I have a crafty daughter. She loves the ideas she has found in the magazine. We have made jewelry, decorations for her room, and even cute gifts for her friends.

The messages that are given in this magazine are positive ones that you don't particularly find in teen magazines. They promote positive relationships with peers and families, encourage learning and creativity, and make fashion and makeup fun not provocative.

If you have a girl at your house that is between 9 and 14 I would recommend this magazine. This makes a wonderful gift that your child will enjoy all year long.

My one complaint is that it is bi-monthly. I wish it would come every month. We would pay more to have it every month. My daughter reads the magazine cover to cover the day it arrives.

Some may say that this magazine is too expensive. The news stand price is 3.95 per issue. You can get a normal subscription for 19.95 for a savings of 3.75 for one year or 36.00 for two years saving 11.40 from the news stand price. I buy mine through a school fund raising magazine drive every year. For some reason the cost of the magazine is even cheaper through the school.

If you would like to get a preview of the magazine you can find it at www.americangirl.com. Be forewarned that this magazine can be addicting.

Recommended: Yes