If you grew up with the American Girl books and dolls, there’s great news: the characters you loved have finally grown up, too, and will be appearing in their own spin-off adult novels.

A post on Instagram by TODAY’s shopping account and Jenna Bush Hager’s Read with Jenna book club announced the October 2026 release of Samantha: The Next Chapter, a novel that will see American Girl character Samantha Parkington at age 25, navigating adult life and working as an activist during the first election in which American women had the right to vote.

“Samantha girls, this one’s for you! ? American Girl just announced a new novel for adults that features 25-year-old Samantha Parkington as she navigates adulthood and encourages women to vote in their first upcoming presidential election,” the post notes. “”Samantha: The Next Chapter” by @fionadavisauthor is available for pre-sale today and will officially be available for sale on Oct. 13, 2026. Tag a friend who needs to know and tap the link in @shoptoday‘s bio to pre-order your copy! ?”

What will the American Girl novel for adults be about?

The American Girl website gives a more in-depth look at the book, writing, “Adult fans can continue Samantha Parkington’s story in this historical-fiction novel set in 1920 New York City. Now 25 years old, Samantha is working hard to educate women in New York about suffrage and encourage them to vote in their first presidential election that fall. But when Samantha’s large inheritance, including her childhood Mount Bedford home, is stolen in a shocking scheme, she goes from socialite to shop girl overnight and experiences a very different side of New York City living in a boarding house. Searching for clues regarding the theft of her inheritance, she infiltrates the business of a notorious criminal in New York City. Determined as ever, Samantha will do whatever it takes to find answers and save her family’s legacy.”

This isn’t Samantha’s first spin-off — in 2004, she was the subject of the film Samantha: An American Girl Holiday.

Who wrote the American Girl novel for adults?

Fiona Davis, an author of historical fiction set in the 1920s, penned the novel. In a statement reported by People, she noted, “I was thrilled when American Girl reached out to me with the idea of imagining Samantha’s life as an adult, in a novel for adults. It was an opportunity to honor Pleasant Rowland for the love of history she instilled in so many children, as well as work with a company celebrated for its forward-thinking, girl-positive core values.”

Will there be additional novels?

Though no other American Girl adult novels have been announced yet, the American Girl line of books has been producing new titles since 1986, and has no shortage of other beloved characters who can be adapted into adult works of fiction.

When will the American Girl novel for adults be released?

The book will be published on October 13, 2026, and is available for pre-order now at all major booksellers.