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Addy's Story Collection - Limited Edition
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370 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2004
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About the author
Connie Rose Porter
56 books114 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 12, 2021
Better than I remember! Addy is a compelling protagonist, and her stories contain a powerful blend of joy and sorrow. Themes of injustice, reunion, and self-discovery are present throughout the series and create a coherent narrative arc. The stories are strong individually as well— Addy Learns a Lesson stands out in particular.
February 23, 2025
Rereading the Addy books as an adult I realize that they’re really the best of the original historical doll books. Addy and her family dealt with very real, very difficult experiences in their lives and the author doesn’t shy away from that.
Addy was enslaved and abused by an enslaver and others in power over her before she and her mother emancipated themselves. When they arrived in Philadelphia, Addy realized that life wasn’t going to be easy now that she was free. She still dealt with racism, separation from her father and siblings, as well as bullying from her classmates.
The themes are all presented in a way that’s appropriate for younger readers but doesn’t pull any punches. If reading with a younger child—or even an older child—be prepared to talk to them about what enslaved peoples experienced before, during, and after the Civil War.
Addy was enslaved and abused by an enslaver and others in power over her before she and her mother emancipated themselves. When they arrived in Philadelphia, Addy realized that life wasn’t going to be easy now that she was free. She still dealt with racism, separation from her father and siblings, as well as bullying from her classmates.
The themes are all presented in a way that’s appropriate for younger readers but doesn’t pull any punches. If reading with a younger child—or even an older child—be prepared to talk to them about what enslaved peoples experienced before, during, and after the Civil War.
November 1, 2023
I never read Addy’s 5 books as a kid and I wish I had! As an adult, I was particularly drawn to her story because of her time period. Connie Porter is an INCREDIBLE writer. She broaches tough topics in a comprehensive way for young children. I myself learned a lot from Addy’s stories. Best book set in the AG world in my opinion.
August 7, 2022
"'Uncle Solomon celebrated his freedom back when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. You know them masters didn't pay the proclamation no mind because the South had broke away from the North. Oh, but when Solomon hear about it, child, he came into our cabin and strutted around so proud and happy. And then he got down on his knees and thanked the Lord...'
Auntie Lula continued, 'I don't want you to be sad about Uncle Solomon dying, and I don't want you to be sad when I die.'
'Don't say that!' Addy said. 'You not gonna die anytime soon.'
'There's a time for each of us to die,' said Auntie Lula. 'Uncle Solomon ain't have much time in freedom, and I won't either. Addy, we don't all make it where we want to go in life. We start our journeys and have our dreams and hopes, and sometimes other people have to carry on with them when we can't.'"
*
I am continuing to read the American Girl series as an adult alongside the American Girls Podcast, hosted by two American historians. Addy was my favorite character and doll as a child, and her stories remain the strongest in the American Girl collection. They hit me hard as an adult! Born into slavery in North Carolina, Addy and her mother escape to Philadelphia after Addy's father and brother are sold from the plantation. Addy's stories give the reader a window into the challenge of building a new life in freedom.
I remembered Meet Addy vividly. While the book is appropriate for children, Meet Addy clearly teaches about the horrors of slavery — the book is full of abuse, family separation, and frightening scenes of escape. If I remember correctly, Meet Addy was my first introduction to slavery as a six-year-old. Connie Porter, the author, does an incredible job of teaching about slavery without sugar-coating it. Meet Addy makes it clear, as well, that the cause of the Civil War was the South's attempt to preserve the system of slavery.
Addy and her mother are forced to leave behind baby Esther because her crying could give them away. Addy's adopted grandparents, Aunt Lula and Uncle Solomon, remind Addy that, 'freedom's got its cost' — a continual thread throughout the series. I hadn't remembered the powerful scene in the woods where Momma gives Addy a cowrie shell that had belonged to her great grandmother who had been captured as a child from Africa. "Her journey ended in slavery. Yours, girl, is taking you to freedom." Meet Addy is a masterpiece.
The series follow Addy and her family as they rebuild their life in Philadelphia. The series teaches about the challenges that formerly enslaved people faced in the North, such as poverty, discrimination, challenges with literacy, child labor, colorism, segregation, attempted family reunification, and war. Interestingly, Addy Learns a Lesson depicts tensions between formerly enslaved individuals and wealthy, free Black families in Philadelphia, as demonstrated through Addy's fraught relationship with her classmate, Harriet. The books are situated right before and after the end of the Civil War, so there are fascinating conversations about formerly enslaved people who, once it was clear that the South would lose, were kicked off of the plantations with nowhere else to go.
While the family reunification happens easily (it is a children's book after all!), the series does a phenomenal job conveying the pain of family separation. One of the most beautiful moments is elderly Aunt Lula and Uncle Solomon's journey to return Esther to the Walker family. Their short moments living as free people are spent on the exhausting journey to reunite the family, which was the ultimate way to live their life "in freedom."
The Addy series is phenomenal. Once again, American Girl books prove that children can handle the truth of American history. Children don't want sugar-coated stories. I highly recommend re-reading this series as an adult!
Auntie Lula continued, 'I don't want you to be sad about Uncle Solomon dying, and I don't want you to be sad when I die.'
'Don't say that!' Addy said. 'You not gonna die anytime soon.'
'There's a time for each of us to die,' said Auntie Lula. 'Uncle Solomon ain't have much time in freedom, and I won't either. Addy, we don't all make it where we want to go in life. We start our journeys and have our dreams and hopes, and sometimes other people have to carry on with them when we can't.'"
*
I am continuing to read the American Girl series as an adult alongside the American Girls Podcast, hosted by two American historians. Addy was my favorite character and doll as a child, and her stories remain the strongest in the American Girl collection. They hit me hard as an adult! Born into slavery in North Carolina, Addy and her mother escape to Philadelphia after Addy's father and brother are sold from the plantation. Addy's stories give the reader a window into the challenge of building a new life in freedom.
I remembered Meet Addy vividly. While the book is appropriate for children, Meet Addy clearly teaches about the horrors of slavery — the book is full of abuse, family separation, and frightening scenes of escape. If I remember correctly, Meet Addy was my first introduction to slavery as a six-year-old. Connie Porter, the author, does an incredible job of teaching about slavery without sugar-coating it. Meet Addy makes it clear, as well, that the cause of the Civil War was the South's attempt to preserve the system of slavery.
Addy and her mother are forced to leave behind baby Esther because her crying could give them away. Addy's adopted grandparents, Aunt Lula and Uncle Solomon, remind Addy that, 'freedom's got its cost' — a continual thread throughout the series. I hadn't remembered the powerful scene in the woods where Momma gives Addy a cowrie shell that had belonged to her great grandmother who had been captured as a child from Africa. "Her journey ended in slavery. Yours, girl, is taking you to freedom." Meet Addy is a masterpiece.
The series follow Addy and her family as they rebuild their life in Philadelphia. The series teaches about the challenges that formerly enslaved people faced in the North, such as poverty, discrimination, challenges with literacy, child labor, colorism, segregation, attempted family reunification, and war. Interestingly, Addy Learns a Lesson depicts tensions between formerly enslaved individuals and wealthy, free Black families in Philadelphia, as demonstrated through Addy's fraught relationship with her classmate, Harriet. The books are situated right before and after the end of the Civil War, so there are fascinating conversations about formerly enslaved people who, once it was clear that the South would lose, were kicked off of the plantations with nowhere else to go.
While the family reunification happens easily (it is a children's book after all!), the series does a phenomenal job conveying the pain of family separation. One of the most beautiful moments is elderly Aunt Lula and Uncle Solomon's journey to return Esther to the Walker family. Their short moments living as free people are spent on the exhausting journey to reunite the family, which was the ultimate way to live their life "in freedom."
The Addy series is phenomenal. Once again, American Girl books prove that children can handle the truth of American history. Children don't want sugar-coated stories. I highly recommend re-reading this series as an adult!
November 7, 2024
I'm so glad my son loves to hear the American Girl stories. This lets me not only re-read the ones I grew up with, but also read ones that I did not read as a kid (because they came out after I was older). The first story in the Addy collection was familiar to me, but in looking at the publication date, I would have been far beyond reading the American Girl books, so not sure how I read that one at one point (perhaps picked it up at a library randomly or something). But none of the other Addy stories were familiar. These stories provided me with many opportunities to discuss slavery, racism, and the need for good people to fight against these things (but in a way that made sense to a 5 year old).
October 10, 2024
Probably the most imporant American Girl to modern readers.
February 11, 2025
I know it's not necessarily great that AG's first (and for a while, only) black character was enslaved. But man, Addy's story is so important, and it's told so well.
November 23, 2020
Everyone has a story, and the American Girl Company does a fantastic job of illustrating stories of individuals who are often ignored in history books. We learn about the founding fathers, soldiers, dictators, kings, and occasionally we even learn about women, but it is rare, if not unheard of to read about the children of history, specifically young girls. American Girl selects stories of fictitious individuals who represent real stories and real lives throughout America's past, and while they are all so important, I argue that Addy's story is one of the most heartbreaking, beautiful, and important stories in the American Girl Collection.
Meet Addy
There is so much heartbreak in her first story. While many of the others I have reread so far focus on some more serious topics including animal abuse (Felicity), gender equality (Julie), immigration (Kirsten), and even social status (Samantha), Addy's story shows a young slave girl dealing with not only the abuse of her master, but also dealing with the pain of watching her father and brother sold away to a new master, and then having to leave her baby sister behind when making the decision to escape. It is written very well, and the narration is fantastic.
5/5 Stars
Addy Learns a Lesson
This one was unique to the American Girl series because for most of the girls written about, their storyline follows someone who has never had the opportunity to go to school, led alone read or write. I wasn't a huge fan of the Sarah/Harriet storyline, as it seemed pretty unoriginal, but it was once again written really well, and is a good introduction to Addy's new friends.
4/5 Stars
Addy's Surprise
I tear up EVERY time I read this one. It is honestly the sweetest Christmas story ever. True, there are parts that are very predictable, but the ending made me SO HAPPY.
5/5 Stars
Happy Birthday, Addy!
This book shows the end of the Civil War and then introduces ideas of prejudice views. I liked the character of the older woman who Addy befriends, but I felt like they only introduced her for one book, as she never makes an appearance after this one. Also, the storyline with the caged bird seems to be drawing a lot of themes from the Maya Angelo poem. This isn't a problem, I just felt that the ideas weren't that original. But still a sweet read.
4/5 Stars
Addy Saves the Day
This could be the worst book in the series, and I would still give it five stars all because of this book's ending. So, so, emotional. It's perfect. I love it. But aside from that, this book is really good! I like the storyline with Harriet. It was a good way to conclude her character in this series.
5/5 Stars
Changes for Addy
Once again, this series is filled with so much emotion, and the love and sweetness in this book is like the sweetest icing on the already wonderful cake. This series is tragic, as it deals with themes that no girl should have ever dealt with, and it is clear at the end that this series that not everything will be perfect, but it shows that change has come, and is still coming. Such a beautiful theme, and one that is so timely today.
5/5 Stars
Final Rating: 5/5 Stars
Current Ranking:
1. Addy
2. Kirsten
3. Felicity
4. Kit
5. Samantha
6. Kaya
7. Julie
Looking forward to adding more to this list!
Meet Addy
There is so much heartbreak in her first story. While many of the others I have reread so far focus on some more serious topics including animal abuse (Felicity), gender equality (Julie), immigration (Kirsten), and even social status (Samantha), Addy's story shows a young slave girl dealing with not only the abuse of her master, but also dealing with the pain of watching her father and brother sold away to a new master, and then having to leave her baby sister behind when making the decision to escape. It is written very well, and the narration is fantastic.
5/5 Stars
Addy Learns a Lesson
This one was unique to the American Girl series because for most of the girls written about, their storyline follows someone who has never had the opportunity to go to school, led alone read or write. I wasn't a huge fan of the Sarah/Harriet storyline, as it seemed pretty unoriginal, but it was once again written really well, and is a good introduction to Addy's new friends.
4/5 Stars
Addy's Surprise
I tear up EVERY time I read this one. It is honestly the sweetest Christmas story ever. True, there are parts that are very predictable, but the ending made me SO HAPPY.
5/5 Stars
Happy Birthday, Addy!
This book shows the end of the Civil War and then introduces ideas of prejudice views. I liked the character of the older woman who Addy befriends, but I felt like they only introduced her for one book, as she never makes an appearance after this one. Also, the storyline with the caged bird seems to be drawing a lot of themes from the Maya Angelo poem. This isn't a problem, I just felt that the ideas weren't that original. But still a sweet read.
4/5 Stars
Addy Saves the Day
This could be the worst book in the series, and I would still give it five stars all because of this book's ending. So, so, emotional. It's perfect. I love it. But aside from that, this book is really good! I like the storyline with Harriet. It was a good way to conclude her character in this series.
5/5 Stars
Changes for Addy
Once again, this series is filled with so much emotion, and the love and sweetness in this book is like the sweetest icing on the already wonderful cake. This series is tragic, as it deals with themes that no girl should have ever dealt with, and it is clear at the end that this series that not everything will be perfect, but it shows that change has come, and is still coming. Such a beautiful theme, and one that is so timely today.
5/5 Stars
Final Rating: 5/5 Stars
Current Ranking:
1. Addy
2. Kirsten
3. Felicity
4. Kit
5. Samantha
6. Kaya
7. Julie
Looking forward to adding more to this list!
August 27, 2020
Addy’s books are usually the ones that come to my mind when I think of tough topics dealt with in American Girl (Samantha’s are usually the second due to child labor in factories). In the first book alone, Addy witnesses whippings and is whipped, is forced to eat worms, and experiences a harrowing escape at night where she and her mother almost drown (oh, and her father and brother are taken away, and she and her mother have to leave her baby sister behind). And, even when she gets to Philadelphia, there are multiple conversations that she, her mother, and her friends have about how even though they are free, they aren’t free and people still hate them. In fact, the latter is one of the unifying themes throughout the entire collection.
However, because it’s a children’s book, Porter does pour on the good feelings and happy endings. Addy is a resourceful, cheerful, and persevering girl who never gives up hope, even as she wonders why the drug store clerk is mean to her, or why she can’t ride on certain streetcars. There are lots of great messages about friendship, family, and self-sacrifice, as Addy gives up multiple things she loves in order to help other slaves escape to freedom, and learns that the mean girl in school isn’t really all that different from herself. Porter does a good job of balancing the good, the bad, and the still-to-improve. The historical notes at the end are also quite good. Of all the American Girl books, I think Addy’s is probably the most powerful and the most relevant for today.
However, because it’s a children’s book, Porter does pour on the good feelings and happy endings. Addy is a resourceful, cheerful, and persevering girl who never gives up hope, even as she wonders why the drug store clerk is mean to her, or why she can’t ride on certain streetcars. There are lots of great messages about friendship, family, and self-sacrifice, as Addy gives up multiple things she loves in order to help other slaves escape to freedom, and learns that the mean girl in school isn’t really all that different from herself. Porter does a good job of balancing the good, the bad, and the still-to-improve. The historical notes at the end are also quite good. Of all the American Girl books, I think Addy’s is probably the most powerful and the most relevant for today.
September 20, 2016
Oh Addy! Addy is an American Girl. She is a slave along with her mother, Poppa, older brother, and baby sister. When her brother and father are sold, her Mama tells her it's time they run North for Freedom...leaving behind the baby and their Aunt and Uncle. Showing often graphic portrayals of life on the plantation, the other hardships of colored families was glossed over. There was some scenes showing whites getting preferred treatment and a man getting thrown off of a street car, but it was mostly tame as the stories instead focused on the Walkers search to reunite their family. Still a wonderful collection holding all those lovable qualities of American Girl! Some scenes may be too graphic for very young readers, however. Highly reccommend!
May 10, 2007
Addy came out at about the time I was growing out of the American Girls. I remember, though, really admiring the writer for the scene where Addy was forced to eat a slug (she was a slave and had missed it and the foreman caught her). I appreciated how Porter exposed young girls to slavery in such a vulgar way.
August 22, 2008
My American Girl reading project continues! I had been warned ahead that Addy's stories had some violence in them, but I wouldn't call the violence (whipping and punishment on the plantation) inappropriate for the intended age group. That said, Addy as an individual isn't as well developed as some of the other American Girls.
December 28, 2024
I had to read the first of Addy's books in school and I could not get enough, this was the beginning of my obsession with reading anything I could get my hands on. So shout out to my third grade librarian & teacher!
May 31, 2021
I loved this story collection about the life of Addy Walker. Set during the Civil War, it is about her family escaping slavery and the struggles they endured because of the color of their skin. It is also a story of hope and the beautiful power of love!
March 7, 2024
4.5⭐️
I wish I would have read her stories when I was younger. Ugh, I love Addy. Her whole family is amazing and I was crying at the end of every single book in this collection. The Christmas story is the best in my opinion 🥹
I wish I would have read her stories when I was younger. Ugh, I love Addy. Her whole family is amazing and I was crying at the end of every single book in this collection. The Christmas story is the best in my opinion 🥹
February 23, 2008
Madelynn really enjoyed the action in these stories.
May 4, 2013
Addy's stories were so inspiring because she had so little, but was truly thankful for the things she had:) I always thought I should try harder to be like Addy:)
June 4, 2015
Great book for pre-teens
January 23, 2016
Great, just like the others, and easy to read. I like this one a lot because of the family being reunited. Touching.
September 12, 2024
best american girl series hands down.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews