American Girl of the Year: Nicki

In 2007, Nicki started a new trend for Girl of the Year books. Instead of just one, there would be two books. This would continue until 2014, when Isabelle would be the first to get three books.

Nicki's story is about her learning her limitations and learning how to say no to others. She doesn't start off well, because she agrees to help her pregnant mother train a service dog, constantly has to do the dishes and help her younger brother with math homework, gets roped into being on the decoration committee at school, and still has to do her ranch chores on top of all that.

I find her inability to say no annoying, but not nearly annoying as her mom. Like seriously, you can be on bed rest and help your son with math. It's not like that takes a lot of exertion. It's fucking second grade math. Yeesh. I also question whether an actual responsible adult would agree to take on a service dog, knowing she's pregnant with twins and would likely be dumping the majority of the work on her already overworked 10-year-old.

So yeah, not the most realistic premise of these books. And it wouldn't kill the dad to do the dishes once in a while either.

And the best friend character, Becca, is a bit needy for a fellow ranch girl who should have a lot of chores, too, but somehow is constantly going skiing.

A lot of the book is rather dull when it's not being annoying. Service dog training is great, but that doesn't make it fascinating to read about.

The second book deals with Nicki and her brother being upset over having to say goodbye to Sprocket the dog as he moves on to advanced training. This topic was as annoying as her inability to say no. Maybe moreso, because you freakin' KNEW going into this that you were only going to have him for a short time. Yes, I imagine it's quite difficult, but yelling at very pregnant mom is not the answer.

Nicki's main drama is actually a fight between her friends. In the first book, she starts to befriend Kris, one of the two rich girls she's working on the decorations with. Over the summer which happened before the second book, Becca has been gone and Nicki has spent a lot of time with Kris. Now that school's starting, Becca is back and she's not happy to learn that Nicki made a new friend. This is always an annoying trope. Learn to share, kid. The world does not revolve around you. they come together for Halloween and have fun, and Nicki ends up naming her new twin sisters after them...sort of: Rebecca and Kristine. Yeah, that won't haunt you years later when you stop being friends with these girls, Nicki. Way to go.

I remember thinking the doll for Nicki was pretty, but her books never would have made me want her. They're some of my least favorites of the entire GotY line.