Why Raquel matters
Why Raquel matters
By American GirlSep. 17, 2025
Raquel Reyes, Girl of the Year 2026 character, is a paleta maker, pickleball player, dolphin saver, and dance-party DJ. She’s excited about her family reunion on the East Coast where, in the attic of an old mansion, she discovers the diary of a girl who lived long ago. As Raquel reads about her great-great-grandmother Samantha Parkington, she discovers that family isn’t just about history—it’s about showing up for the people who need you most.
What Raquel teaches girls
Like many girls today, Raquel is interested in learning more about the world around her. Through her stories, Raquel teaches girls these important lessons:
Family is made in different ways
Raquel’s story teaches girls that family can come in many forms—it’s about love, connection, and showing up for one another. Raquel shows readers that family history shapes who you are, but it’s the relationships you nurture that truly define your bonds.
Celebrate your background
Raquel is proud of her mixed family heritage. Her father is Mexican American, and her mother is a descendant of Samantha Parkington. At the family reunion and wedding on her mom’s side of the family, Raquel is eager to share traditions from her father’s side, like paletas and music.
Lend a hand to animals
When Raquel and her cousin discover a stranded mother dolphin and her calf on the beach, they learn the importance of taking action to help those in need. Raquel’s story teaches young readers that every life matters and that they too can make a difference when it comes to caring for animals.
Angela Cervantes began writing stories featuring Latina main characters when she was nine years old because she wanted books that reflected her friends and community. Like Raquel, Angela is Mexican American on one side of her family and lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
It was an absolute joy. I am a huge fan of Samantha Parkington and having the chance to write her great-great-granddaughter’s story was a true honor. I wanted Raquel’s story to celebrate family, heritage, and the courage it takes for a young girl to find her voice. It was fun to create a character who is curious, creative, and full of heart. As I wrote, I drew on my own experiences growing up in a lively Mexican American and mixed-heritage home that came together every summer for a family reunion.
Raquel loves her family, and she’s curious about her ancestry and who came before her. As she learns about her great-great-grandmother Samantha, she immediately feels a connection. Just like Samantha, Raquel is curious, adventurous, and not shy about using her voice and actions to speak out for herself and others. Although Raquel may not always do it the right way, she’s learning.
I love how Raquel is true to herself but also stays connected to her family. She knows that her roots are a source of strength. My hope is that readers see a little of themselves in Raquel, whether it’s in her love of family or her journey to take the mic and get people dancing to a new tune!
Nicole Davi is the Director of Research at the National Council for Adoption. There, she studies adoption issues to help enhance public understanding of adoption and support advocacy for better adoption laws and policies.
Dr. Diana Leon-Boys is a leading scholar of Latina girlhood and an expert in Latina girls’ media studies. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her scholarship on Latina girls in the media looks at issues of representation, production, and audiences.
Dr. Sarah Sharp is a marine veterinarian. She proved that after stranded dolphins are treated and released, they can survive and thrive in the wild. She works for the International Fund for Animal Welfare on Cape Cod, where she leads the veterinary program for dolphin rescue and rehabilitation.