RUTHIE SMITHENS

Character's Year: 1934

Release Year: 2008

Archived Year: 2015

Announced in 2014

In 2008, American Girl released Ruthie Smithens as the fifth character in the Best Friends line to celebrate the release of Kit's movie. In May of 2014, American Girl announced that Ruthie and her collection would be retired with other dolls a part of the Best Friends line due to the BeForever revamp that happened in the Fall of 2014. The only item from Ruthie's collection that is available to purchase from American Girl today is Ruthie's book. Ruthie is not available for purchase from American Girl today.

"Ruthie may be growing up during the Great Depression, but she loves fairy tales and happy endings. She loves her best friend, Kit Kittredge, too. So when she learns that Kit's family is having trouble paying the mortagage on their house, Ruthie searches for ways to make a real-life happy ending come true" (American Girl Character Encyclopedia 34).

Ruthie Smithens: Welcome

FUN FACTS

Best Friend to Kit Kittredge
In the books, Ruthie has brown eyes
- The doll was given grey eyes
Ruthie's Meet Accessories, except for the purse, was made available to purchase in a Cyber Monday sale in 2014
Only Best Friend doll, except for Ivy Ling, to not have any additional accessories
- Was marketed as "Everyday Accessories"
Appeared in Kit Kittredge's Movie
Retired with Ivy Ling, Cecile Rey, and Marie-Grace Gardner