American Girls in Popular Media: A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945

The appearance of high-profile girl characters in popular culture media of all types soared between the years 1924, when Little Orphan Annie first appeared in the comic section of newspapers, to 1945, when teenage girls replaced their younger sisters in the spotlight. As such, girl culture of the 1920s through the 1940s experienced a boom in popularity. Despite the substantial impact that prepubescent and preadolescent girls had on society during this time, scholars have largely overlooked the experiences of these girls and their depictions in popular entertainment. American Girls in Popular Media: A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945 by Stella A. Ress addresses this gap by weaving together archival materials, newspaper articles, letters, images, comic strips, radio programs, film, and media content analysis both to tease out meaning from the varied depictions of young girls in popular culture and to uncover the voices and agency of those long silenced. This book explores how these portrayals helped address societal anxieties exacerbated by the depression and war, including generational conflicts, gender issues, racial tensions, and urban-rural divides. This transformation not only mirrored societal changes but also played a role in shaping perceptions of femininity, youth, and social values, leaving an indelible mark on American cultural history that continues to resonate today.

Stella A. Ress is associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Southern Indiana.