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American Girl: Short Stories #10
Addy's Little Brother
After her brother joins the family in Philadelphia at the end of the Civil War, Addy wants to be with him as much as possible, so she is jealous when he starts spending time with her friend's cousin.
42 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2000
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288 people want to read
About the author
Connie Rose Porter
56 books116 followersConnie Rose Porter is an American author best known for her books for children and young adults. She was the third youngest of nine children of a family living in a housing project.
She has since taught English and creative writing at Milton Academy, Emerson College, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She was a fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and was a regional winner in Granta's Best Young American Novelist contest.
She has since taught English and creative writing at Milton Academy, Emerson College, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She was a fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and was a regional winner in Granta's Best Young American Novelist contest.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 7, 2026
"Sam you promised. A sociable ain't a sociable if you by yourself."Now that Sam is home, Addy wants to spend as much time as possible with her brother - including bring him to the church sociable to hang out.
But suddenly Sam seems like he wants to spend more time with Daniel (Addy's friend's cousin) instead of her.
Addy's upset - and hurt - by her brother's decisions. She had lost an entire year with him but now he just wants to spend time with Daniel instead.
"I changed my mind," said Sam. "We going to the park to play marbles. Daniel will like that better than sitting around with two girls."
And when Daniel is hired at the same stable as Sam, Addy is even more frustrated.
On the day of the sociable, Sam is off work but Addy must make a big decision regarding her brother - does she keep him for herself? or should she share him with someone else?
I know the title is "Addy's Little Brother," but I think it should have been "Sam's Little Brother" (but then again, this is the Addy series, not the Sam series).
Anyway, at it's core, this story focuses on how Sam is taking a brotherly role towards Daniel and Addy feels a little jealous about the change in the family dynamics.
This story definitely had good bits but for the most part, this felt weaker compared to a lot of the other books in this series.
I do agree that it was right for Sam to take Daniel under his wing, but he also could have communicated his reasons towards Addy (but then again, teenage boys aren't the best at communication and Addy was very understanding once she knew why, so most of the book's plot would have disappeared if there was a bit of communication).
One really great thing was Sarah's character made an appearance! And we see Addy fulfilling her promise from the main series and the two girls study their lessons after school, with Addy helping Sarah along because Sarah is still working during the day.
It made my heart happy to see Sarah still getting the education that she so desperately wanted. I don't think we get another update on her, but I'm choosing to believe that Sarah does go back to school eventually and fulfills her teacher dreams. She has such drive and dedication, despite the hard labor to help her family.
A Peek into the Past
Like all of the main and mini Addy books, this one has a mini historical section at the back called a Peek into the Past.
For this one, our Peek into the Past contains a section about churches and their influence on the black communities. We learn about spirituals, potlucks and abolitionist meetings. We also get additional background on the fairs and other social events at a church.
From there we transfer to the activity section -- this book had a recipe section about making letter cookies. Addy and her Momma spell out FAMILY earlier in the main books and the recipe section suggests that Addy may have made these cookies to bring to a church sociable.
More reviews in the Addy-verse
Main Series:
Meet Addy - ★★★★☆
Addy Learns a Lesson - ★★★★☆
Addy's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Addy - ★★★★★
Addy Saves the Day - ★★★☆☆
Changes for Addy - ★★★★★
Addy's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆
Short Stories:
Addy Studies Freedom - ★★★★☆
Addy's Wedding Quilt - ★★★★★
Addy's Little Brother - ★★★☆☆
High Hopes for Addy - ★★★★☆
Addy's Summer Place - ★★★☆☆
Addy's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆
Additional History Books
Addy's Cookbook - ★★★★★
Addy's Craft Book - ★★★★★
Addy's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
Real Stories from My Time: The Underground Railroad - ★★★☆☆
Welcome to Addy's World · 1864 - ★★★★★
Mystery Book:
Shadows on Society Hill - ★★☆☆☆
Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2014)
Finding Freedom: An Addy Classic - ★★★☆☆
A Heart Full of Hope: An Addy Classic - ★★★☆☆
Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2020)
Addy: Finding Freedom - ★★★★☆
Addy: A Heart Full of Hope - ★★★★☆
Beginner Reader & Picture Books
Freedom for Addy (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
October 21, 2021
This review is from the point of view of a mother.
I liked this book in that I thought it dealt with the important issue of sibling relationships and jealousies quite nicely, but felt that either the overall story was rushed, or that it should have been one issue in a larger book. I do like that Addy had to make a choice about her behavior in the situation, and that the reader gets to see the consequences of the wrong choice.
AS far as where it fits in the overall Addy timeline, this story falls AFTER her core 6 books, and "spoils" details in them, so it should definitely be read after the main series.
I liked this book in that I thought it dealt with the important issue of sibling relationships and jealousies quite nicely, but felt that either the overall story was rushed, or that it should have been one issue in a larger book. I do like that Addy had to make a choice about her behavior in the situation, and that the reader gets to see the consequences of the wrong choice.
AS far as where it fits in the overall Addy timeline, this story falls AFTER her core 6 books, and "spoils" details in them, so it should definitely be read after the main series.
August 4, 2014
When her brother Sam starts spending a lot of time with Sarah's cousin, Addy is jealous, believing Sam wishes he had a brother instead of a sister.
January 7, 2023
"Sam always had a story to tell, and after supper they would sometimes play mancala." 💙✨️
December 19, 2011
this is another one of those 30-page short story books, & i am wondering if they came up with the title before they thought up the plot because the title makes no sense.
addy's older brother sam accompanies her one afternoon to her friend sarah's house. there they meet sarah's cousin david. david's parents were slaves who ran away to canada. that is where he was born. now that the civil war is over, they have returned to the united states as a family. they have been in philadelphia for less than a week. david is pretty quiet & reserved & sam offers to take david to the park while addy & sarah hang out.
sam isn't back by the time addy is ready to leave, so she goes to the park looking for him. he is playing marbles with a bunch of other boys, & he bought a cat's eye marble for david. as sam & addy walk home, sam says he's going to try to get david a job at the stable where he works. addy is jealous of all the attention sam is paying david.
things come to a head (because this book is 30 pages long) when sam backs out of taking addy to a church dance so he can go to a big marbles tournament with david. she wonders if sam sees her as too much of a little kid to really be a friend (sam is 17, david is 12, addy is 10). addy happens to walk by the stable the day of the church dance & david flags her down. things are crazy the stable because they have to prepare a bunch of extra carriages & they need sam to come help them. addy says sam is busy. david shrugs & says he will try to prepare the carriages himself, even though that means working with an especially skittish horse.
addy runs into sam on her walk home & tells him that david can't go to the marble tournament after all because he has to stay at work. sam is confused because he thought the stable was almost done for the day. he says he's going to swing by & see what's going on, but that he can take addy to the church dance after all since he was really just going to the marbles tournament for david. he explains to addy that david's older brother quincy was about sam's age. he fought for the union during the war & was killed. that's why david is so withdrawn. sam feels that david relies on him a little as a surrogate big brother. addy is overcome with guilt & explains that extra carriage situation to sam, who rushes to the stable just in time to see david being menaced by the skittish horse. sam saves david & helps get the rest of the carriages ready. he also explains to addy that no one could ever take the place of his siblings.
i must say, i have two siblings & i think we would have loved it if we could have spent a little LESS time together growing up. we were much closer in age though--all three born in about two & a half years. there wasn't really enough time between us for this whole "spend time with me!" dynamic to develop. plus none of us were ever sold off to another slavemaster only to lose limbs in the civil war.
addy's older brother sam accompanies her one afternoon to her friend sarah's house. there they meet sarah's cousin david. david's parents were slaves who ran away to canada. that is where he was born. now that the civil war is over, they have returned to the united states as a family. they have been in philadelphia for less than a week. david is pretty quiet & reserved & sam offers to take david to the park while addy & sarah hang out.
sam isn't back by the time addy is ready to leave, so she goes to the park looking for him. he is playing marbles with a bunch of other boys, & he bought a cat's eye marble for david. as sam & addy walk home, sam says he's going to try to get david a job at the stable where he works. addy is jealous of all the attention sam is paying david.
things come to a head (because this book is 30 pages long) when sam backs out of taking addy to a church dance so he can go to a big marbles tournament with david. she wonders if sam sees her as too much of a little kid to really be a friend (sam is 17, david is 12, addy is 10). addy happens to walk by the stable the day of the church dance & david flags her down. things are crazy the stable because they have to prepare a bunch of extra carriages & they need sam to come help them. addy says sam is busy. david shrugs & says he will try to prepare the carriages himself, even though that means working with an especially skittish horse.
addy runs into sam on her walk home & tells him that david can't go to the marble tournament after all because he has to stay at work. sam is confused because he thought the stable was almost done for the day. he says he's going to swing by & see what's going on, but that he can take addy to the church dance after all since he was really just going to the marbles tournament for david. he explains to addy that david's older brother quincy was about sam's age. he fought for the union during the war & was killed. that's why david is so withdrawn. sam feels that david relies on him a little as a surrogate big brother. addy is overcome with guilt & explains that extra carriage situation to sam, who rushes to the stable just in time to see david being menaced by the skittish horse. sam saves david & helps get the rest of the carriages ready. he also explains to addy that no one could ever take the place of his siblings.
i must say, i have two siblings & i think we would have loved it if we could have spent a little LESS time together growing up. we were much closer in age though--all three born in about two & a half years. there wasn't really enough time between us for this whole "spend time with me!" dynamic to develop. plus none of us were ever sold off to another slavemaster only to lose limbs in the civil war.
January 31, 2026
There are definitely things to love here, but also things that left me puzzled.
- Why is the title "Little Brother"? Daniel is slightly older than she is. Sam enjoys a game of marbles now and then, but I'm not left with the sense that he's acting dramatically less than his age.
- How is Sam able to make the dictionary joke at the beginning? Was he going to night school at some point? Are we to assume that Addy has been teaching him at home? That could have happened in about half a sentence.
Anyway, if we can get to page three and leave these problems behind, then we have a sweet story about Sam taking Sarah's cousin under his wing, while Addy wrestles with a little jealousy.
My favorite detail is Momma reminiscing about Sam's reaction to his baby sisters. Clearly Sam has been a truly stellar big brother from day one.
More Addy babble
Meet Addy | Addy Learns a Lesson | Addy’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Addy | Addy Saves the Day | Changes for Addy
High Hopes for Addy | Addy’s Little Brother | Addy’s Wedding Quilt | Addy Studies Freedom | Addy’s Summer Place | Addy’s Short Story Collection
Shadows on Society Hill
A New Beginning
- Why is the title "Little Brother"? Daniel is slightly older than she is. Sam enjoys a game of marbles now and then, but I'm not left with the sense that he's acting dramatically less than his age.
- How is Sam able to make the dictionary joke at the beginning? Was he going to night school at some point? Are we to assume that Addy has been teaching him at home? That could have happened in about half a sentence.
Anyway, if we can get to page three and leave these problems behind, then we have a sweet story about Sam taking Sarah's cousin under his wing, while Addy wrestles with a little jealousy.
My favorite detail is Momma reminiscing about Sam's reaction to his baby sisters. Clearly Sam has been a truly stellar big brother from day one.
More Addy babble
Meet Addy | Addy Learns a Lesson | Addy’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Addy | Addy Saves the Day | Changes for Addy
High Hopes for Addy | Addy’s Little Brother | Addy’s Wedding Quilt | Addy Studies Freedom | Addy’s Summer Place | Addy’s Short Story Collection
Shadows on Society Hill
A New Beginning
February 15, 2016
Addy's brother had fought for the union and had lost an arm during the war. He has a job to clean stables and it gets him quite tired.
Addy is becoming jealous of the friendship her brother Sam has with a relatively new boy in town, Daniel, a relative of one of her friends. She's jealous of the attention he's paying Daniel and time he is not spending with her.
Daniel tells her Sam is needed at work but she wants her brother to take her to a social get-together so at first she doesn't tell him. After he tells her that Daniel's brother was killed in the Civil War she tells him and they get to the stables just in time to save Daniel from being pummeled by a horse.
The factual section deals with African American churches in Philadelphia. It explains the role churches played in African American lives at the time, going far beyond just religious needs.
This is another in the excellent series of short story books, each one carrying a very important message and fascinating historical information.
Addy is becoming jealous of the friendship her brother Sam has with a relatively new boy in town, Daniel, a relative of one of her friends. She's jealous of the attention he's paying Daniel and time he is not spending with her.
Daniel tells her Sam is needed at work but she wants her brother to take her to a social get-together so at first she doesn't tell him. After he tells her that Daniel's brother was killed in the Civil War she tells him and they get to the stables just in time to save Daniel from being pummeled by a horse.
The factual section deals with African American churches in Philadelphia. It explains the role churches played in African American lives at the time, going far beyond just religious needs.
This is another in the excellent series of short story books, each one carrying a very important message and fascinating historical information.
April 3, 2015
This volume tells a story about Addy, an African-American girl who lives in Philadelphia in 1864. As the plot unfolds, Addy becomes jealous of the relationship between her older brother Sam and Daniel, a young boy who has recently moved to the city.
March 30, 2013
Addy learns to deal with jealousy over her brother's new friend. This is a story that would fit any time period but was so well told that I enjoyed seeing Addy come to terms with this issue.
December 5, 2016
All I have to saynis that this series helps me talk to my kids about a very important part of our history. I love the Addy series.
June 5, 2017
The title is misleading.
June 8, 2017
I liked this book because the lesson was very relatable to modern day kids but also helped you realize what it was like to be kids like that in their time and place.
December 13, 2024
As much as the historically-focused AG books are wonderful, I like the simpler ones too that focus on child-hood's universal themes and struggles. This one is about sibling jealousy.
Addy's big brother Sam starts spending some time with a boy Addy's age named Daniel, and Addy lets her jealousy get the better of her, because little comments keep being made about Daniel being the 'brother that Sam always wanted.' She is wary of being replaced by a boy about her age, especially since the family starts making jokes about it, Sam even goes as far as to say that when she was born, he told their mother to send Addy into the cabbage patch and come back with a boy, so Addy starts to think maybe Sam really DOES wish Daniel was his brother instead of her. She goes so far as to try to turn into a boy by magic by kissing her elbow.
Addy gets anxious about her place in Sam's life and she purposely doesn't tell Sam that Daniel needs help with some horses, because she wants Sam to herself at the sociable. After a nice reassuring talk with Sam that Addy is irreplaceable to him, Addy realizes her mistake and tells the truth. She also realizes that Daniel is a potential friend for her too -- they both like solving Sam's riddles and teasing him!
I liked seeing Addy hanging out with her older brother. Sam seems to genuinely enjoy spending time with Addy and escorting her places, and haranguing her like brothers love to do. It was also nice to see that Addy has kept her promise about teaching Sarah what she's learning in school now that Sarah can no longer attend.
By the way, the illustrator drew Sam with such a wonderful smile, I really enjoy the illustrations with Sam and Addy together.
Addy's big brother Sam starts spending some time with a boy Addy's age named Daniel, and Addy lets her jealousy get the better of her, because little comments keep being made about Daniel being the 'brother that Sam always wanted.' She is wary of being replaced by a boy about her age, especially since the family starts making jokes about it, Sam even goes as far as to say that when she was born, he told their mother to send Addy into the cabbage patch and come back with a boy, so Addy starts to think maybe Sam really DOES wish Daniel was his brother instead of her. She goes so far as to try to turn into a boy by magic by kissing her elbow.
Addy gets anxious about her place in Sam's life and she purposely doesn't tell Sam that Daniel needs help with some horses, because she wants Sam to herself at the sociable. After a nice reassuring talk with Sam that Addy is irreplaceable to him, Addy realizes her mistake and tells the truth. She also realizes that Daniel is a potential friend for her too -- they both like solving Sam's riddles and teasing him!
I liked seeing Addy hanging out with her older brother. Sam seems to genuinely enjoy spending time with Addy and escorting her places, and haranguing her like brothers love to do. It was also nice to see that Addy has kept her promise about teaching Sarah what she's learning in school now that Sarah can no longer attend.
By the way, the illustrator drew Sam with such a wonderful smile, I really enjoy the illustrations with Sam and Addy together.
August 11, 2025
In this short story, Addy deals with jealousy when her big brother starts spending a lot of time with her friend Sarah's cousin instead of her.
I was not as impressed with this short story as much as I usually am with the American Girl short stories! They are typically so well fleshed out, with a robust story arc despite their short length. But this one felt rushed and almost poorly edited? For instance, the title of the book really makes no sense. I also thought the ending felt rushed and not fully completed.
However, I did still appreciate that relatable storyline of jealousy and the often-complicated relationships we have with our siblings. Through this story, Addy learns to be compassionate for others and what they may be experiencing, and also recognizes that no matter what, her brother will also still love her.
3.5 stars
Also, just a caveat that this short story very much takes place after the plot of the sixth and final full length Addy book. There would be some major plot spoilers if this was read before finishing the full-length series.
I was not as impressed with this short story as much as I usually am with the American Girl short stories! They are typically so well fleshed out, with a robust story arc despite their short length. But this one felt rushed and almost poorly edited? For instance, the title of the book really makes no sense. I also thought the ending felt rushed and not fully completed.
However, I did still appreciate that relatable storyline of jealousy and the often-complicated relationships we have with our siblings. Through this story, Addy learns to be compassionate for others and what they may be experiencing, and also recognizes that no matter what, her brother will also still love her.
3.5 stars
Also, just a caveat that this short story very much takes place after the plot of the sixth and final full length Addy book. There would be some major plot spoilers if this was read before finishing the full-length series.
February 3, 2022
3.5 stars & 4/10 hearts. Aww, this was a heartwarming story! Honestly, I fell in love with Addy’s family though reading High Hopes for Addy, even through I haven’t read any of her other books except a hurried skim of Meet Addy (which I barely remember). Anyways, this story made me love them all over again!! Sam is such a great brother and Addy is a very sweet, loving girl. As someone prone to jealousy myself, I related to Addy, and I was so happy with how she and Sam handled the problem, and that she didn’t give in to her feelings!
November 3, 2017
This was my first time reading the Addy short stories and I've had these books for about 10 years I believe. I really enjoyed the Addy books and would like to read the actual American Girls books one day.
October 11, 2023
Addy was jealous when her brother started setting her aside for another kid. I understand her feelings. It sucks when if feels like a family member puts others ABOVE you, not making time for both.
But she had a heart to heart with Sam and realized he was just trying to help a boy who felt loss.
But she had a heart to heart with Sam and realized he was just trying to help a boy who felt loss.
June 13, 2024
When Addy's brother Sam starts spending time with Sarah's cousin, Addy becomes jealous thinking that Sam would rather have a younger brother than a sister. Addy learns important lessons about jealousy and making correct choices, but the story seemed rushed.
May 24, 2021
This was super cute, but who on earth is Addy's little brother? She has an older brother and a younger sister, so this title makes no sense.
April 11, 2022
my favorite part is when they were playing marbles in a circle and david got to keep one
Read
November 15, 2022Damn, Addy's short stories are great!
March 29, 2025
little brother?
but we love sibling relationships and this one was sweet and interesting to read.
but we love sibling relationships and this one was sweet and interesting to read.
October 2, 2024
This story further develops Addy's relationship with Sam. She becomes jealous when he makes friends with Sarah's cousin, Daniel, and starts blowing off Addy to spend time with him. (Daniel is like 12 or something btw. So it's clearly a "little brother" kind of relationship, not exactly a regular friendship, and Addy can't help but feel like she's being replaced.)
Things get messy when Daniel is looking for Sam, and Addy lies about where he is. As it turns out, Sam is trying to help Daniel feel at home in Philadelphia because his older brother died recently. Addy is immediately repentant, and it's implied she and Daniel start to become friends.
In terms of character relationships it's kind of fun, because we get to see more of Addy's perspective on Sam after he returns to the family, but the overall plot is kind of cliche.
Things get messy when Daniel is looking for Sam, and Addy lies about where he is. As it turns out, Sam is trying to help Daniel feel at home in Philadelphia because his older brother died recently. Addy is immediately repentant, and it's implied she and Daniel start to become friends.
In terms of character relationships it's kind of fun, because we get to see more of Addy's perspective on Sam after he returns to the family, but the overall plot is kind of cliche.
October 10, 2021
Not sure how 'little' comes into the picture, but still cute.
June 7, 2014
How do I read it
August 12, 2016
Made me sad. Sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews