Sonali Matthews


 * "Sonali" redirects here. For the doll, see Sonali Matthews (doll). For the face mold, see Sonali Mold.

Sonali Matthews is a companion to the seventh Girl of the Year, Chrissa Maxwell. She was released by the American Girl Doll company in 2009.

Character
Sonali is at least part South Asian, as her mother's parents are from India. Originally, she is part of the Queen Bees (which the rest of the class calls the Mean Bees) along with Tara and Jadyn. She knew Tara from preschool and Tara is her best friend. At the start of the book she seems to be uncomfortable with the Bees' treatment towards Chrissa and Gwen and becomes progressively more disturbed with their actions. Soon after Tara maliciously cuts off Gwen's bangs, Sonali leaves the Queen Bees. Near the end of Chrissa, she asks for forgiveness from Gwen Thompson for not speaking up and becomes a full friend to Chrissa and Gwen.

Sonali appears to come from an upper-class family; her mother is a realtor and her father's profession is unknown, although in one scene his attire seems to match that of a businessman ("well-groomed fingernails" and tie). In the book Chrissa Sonali has two older sisters, both in college. Sonali's mother disapproves of her activities with the other Bees, making her return the valentines she stole from Chrissa and grounding her for a week. The first time she appears to be proud of Sonali is when she becomes friends with Chrissa and Gwen.

Sonali has a dog named "Tofu" who likes to eat toilet paper rolls.

She is also quite smart; in the movie, Tara implores Sonali to come over to help her with homework.

Like Chrissa Maxwell, Sonali is on the swimming and diving teams. She does the backstroke on the relay team. Chrissa also teaches her how to knit after Sonali admires Chrissa's scarf.

In Chrissa Stands Strong she has a pink Motorola RAZR like Jadyn; this is first seen when Sonali goes to Chrissa's house to do homework.

Books
Sonali is a major character in Chrissa's two books, Chrissa and Chrissa Stands Strong.

Movie
In Chrissa Stands Strong Sonali is portrayed by Ariela Barer. However, in the movie, Sonali is not a swimmer.

Another difference between books and movie is that Sonali does not feel bad about taunting and teasing Gwen in the beginning. However, she does change her mind about Gwen as she sees that Chrissa is befriending her.

Doll

 * See: Sonali Matthews (doll)


 * Face Mold: Sonali Mold
 * Skin: Dark
 * Hair: Black/dark brown, waist length, left part, no bangs, highlights, long, loose curls
 * Eyes: Dark Brown

Meet Outfit

 * Lime green tee
 * Aqua knit tunic
 * Denim knicker pants
 * Blue ballet flats
 * Lime green panties

Collection
Sonali is part of Chrissa's Collection.

Trivia

 * As of 2010, Sonali, Jess Akiko McConnell, and Marisol Luna are the only Girls of the Year that have been of color.
 * The doll of Sonali is much darker than illustrations show her.