Changes for Addy: A Winter Story

American Girl: Addy #6

by Connie Rose Porter

Addy has begun to give up hope of ever having her family together. Then she gets word that baby Esther, Auntie Lula, and Uncle Solomon are on their way to Philadelphia. Addy searches the city for them, but the reunion she dreamed of is mixed with joy and deep sorrow. As Addy prepares for her reading at the Emancipation Celebration, she begins to doubt the words about freedom she is supposed to read. Momma reminds Addy that their family will always be together as long as their love and courage live in her heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Civil War, Young Adult

61 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Connie 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.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Addy's dream of having her whole family together in freedom was taking a long time to come true."

Addy and her mother fled from the plantation once her father and older brother were sold. And while the four of them have reunited and slavery is over, they are still missing family members.

Auntie Lula, Uncle Solomon and younger sister, Esther, are still missing. (Esther was too young to flee with Addy and her Momma).

Addy's written letter after letter to various churches and freedman camps, hoping and praying for some news.

Just when she's about to give up, her family gets word that her aunt and uncle are making their way to Philadelphia - but they are elderly and little Esther is still so young. Will they make it?

Meanwhile, Addy's best friend, Sarah, is experiencing hardships of her own.

"My momma need me to help with the wash...I ain't coming to school no more."

Addy and Sarah both had dreams of being teachers but now Sarah's dreams are being dashed. Desperate to help her friend, Addy tries to talk to Sarah's parents.

"Someday?" Mrs. Moore interrupted gently. "Addy, we got to eat today and pay for this here room tomorrow. Sarah needing new boots right now. We can't be dreaming about someday."

Hopefully Addy can find a way to help her friend and find her missing family members - where there's a will, there's a way.

"Addy froze. Her heart was pounding the way it had pounded the night she and Momma escaped to freedom."

Connie Rose Porter. How dare you write this. Rip my heart out while your are at it, I don't need it anymore.

Okay, turning down the dramatics a wee bit:

I thought this was a fairly good end to the Addy series and it definitely yanked my heartstrings.

The Sarah storyline was a hard one to read - the abject poverty, being pulled out of school, the lack of a social safety net - it was a bitter reality. Addy does her best (and manages to find a way to help) but at the end of the day, she's just one little girl trying to help another.

Also, I was really hoping that the Sarah storyline would have a better conclusion but after reading the companion novels, I'm starting to think her character is stuck where she is, which (if realistic) still feels disappointing from a reader's perspective.

The reunion storyline had my heart soaring and plummeting. I was so happy when Addy found Auntie Lula and Esther but then my eyes blurred so much when we learn the cost of that freedom and reunion.

It was a bittersweet ending, not something you see everyday in a children's novel but I think it was one of the better ways to wrap up the main series.

[Alex (novelswithalex)]

A beautiful and heartfelt resolution. Cried again, 5/5 stars.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading as an adult, here's what stands out:

This one makes me cry now. Esther is just the age my daughter is now and my heart breaks for Ruth Walker. And I have so much respect for Auntie Lula and Uncle Solomon - and the real people like them - traveling all that way on foot with a toddler, when they're not well.

It's interesting that we more often see Addy surrounded by adults than other children. (Sarah and Harriet are the exceptions, of course.) Here, she befriends Mr. Polk as she's searching for Lula, Solomon and Esther - and wins over the hospital nurses, too. As we see her starting to dream about becoming a teacher, I picture her growing up to teach freed men and women to read. We never see her interact with younger children, but we know she's really good with older folks.

In addition to thinking about her future, Addy finally finds her last missing family members and she reads the Emancipation Proclamation in a New Year's church service. She has claimed her freedom, her family has reunited, and it's a beautiful conclusion to the main series. As I've said before, this is the most tightly plotted series of the first five AG dolls and has the most satisfying arc.

So let's talk a moment about Addy's clothes.

In Addy Saves The Day, I said Addy's family wouldn't have splurged on cute two-tone boots, but when Addy was released in 1993, all the dolls had different shoes for their summer dresses. Similarly, as part of the American Girl collection, Addy has a unique outfit for each book. Through the first three books, her new clothes are specifically explained. After that, we're left to assume that enough time has passed for her mother to make her more clothes. (Very convenient for her mother to be a seamstress, no? Clever choice on that one, Pleasant Company.) So by this point, that's five dresses plus her winter coat and various other clothes that show up in illustrations.

That doesn't seem like SO much... until you get to this book and the holes in Sarah's boots. And remember Harriet's digs back in Addy Learns a Lesson about Sarah's faded dress? In contrast, Addy's clothes are bright and beautiful and perfectly detailed in every illustration.

Suddenly the Walker family (who we know has next to nothing and puts all their spare change toward finding their missing family members) looks positively well off. Presumably the Moores' jobs just don't pay as well as the Walkers' jobs - and now Sam's working, too. Though on that point, I don't think we don't actually know whether Sarah has siblings or who else her parents may be supporting. But I think Sarah's situation is very likely the more realistic version of Addy's life. I suspect the demands of the collection mean that Addy has more clothes - and nicer clothes - than a real child in her position likely would.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Changes for Addy concludes the wonderful saga of Addy Walker in the American Girl series. I'm so grateful to have picked up Connie Porter's writing after being severely disappointed by Valerie Tripp's bratty baby dolls. Addy suffered through severe hardships like escaping slavery and racism, but she was still able to be kind and show her strength of character. She is a testament of how you can teach American history and be a great inspiration to little girls at the same time. In Changes for Addy, she understands what it's like to experience loss and friendship. It's a wonderful series and Addy Walker is my favorite American Girl. Hopefully I can find more sweet girls like Addy and Kirsten rather than brats like Kit and Molly in the American Girl book series.

[Olde American Spirit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh, and this ending of the story is not what Addy (or I) expected at all. Joyful sorrow is the best oxymoron I can think of to describe it. Another sweet story from this series that flowed seamlessly.

For the series as a whole, I felt that the truth of book #1 and book #2 were handled with care, but a bit too graphic for the eight-year-old target audience it was written for. Overall, well done.

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad ending to the series, though happy in some ways, too, but probably more realistic than we would like to think.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I finish the series crying? Yes. Am I single digit weeks post partum and severely sleep deprived? Also yes. Related? Irrelevant.

[RaspberryRoses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whole series review:

I was astounded by this book series. They aren't just 'good for an American Girl book' - they're really excellent works of children's literature in general. Connie Rose Porter is an excellent writer, and in a completely different league to the level of work I've read for Rebecca and Samantha. No offense to those - they're fun in their own right. But this series... it's just so good.

And she certainly didn't have an easy job! There's been a lot of discussion about the choice to set Addy - their first and for a while ONLY Black doll - during the Civil War. And a lot of thought went into that decision, and it is interesting to read about her development process. It wasn't done carelessly. But it also presents its own set of challenges, which Porter manages to address like a pro.

I'm also struck by how well-developed Addy felt to me as a character. She felt so much more real to me, as opposed to Samantha and Rebecca - girls who I loved, but I often felt were inconsistent or told and not shown. Addy is such a richly written character. Her strengths are clear, and so are her flaws! She makes mistakes that don't feel forced but feel real. I really grew to love her.

My one big point of negativity is that, as I read this from my local library, I had varying editions. Which showed the different illustrations - the later illustrations lightening the skin of nearly every character. For obvious reasons, that's pretty frustrating.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this series as a whole, and this book brings a good resolution in many ways, but mixed with sadness and injustice. I like how Addy wrestles with the celebration of freedom while simultaneously lamenting the different things oppression has taken from her family. Reading this in my 30s is different, because it's nostalgic but I also found myself crying through some of the parts in almost all of the books (which I definitely didn't do as a kid), but especially this one. Sometimes because of happiness, but also because of the terrible things that were done to black people in this time, and the impossible choices that some families were forced to make.

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Addy's whole family, but especially her mother.

[Tress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading this as an adult who fell in love with history through this series (and others by American Girl) has been really lovely. It’s especially interesting to look back since I’m now doing a PhD in the same period looking at poc in the UK. Funny how things work out and correlate from the past. Very lucky that Addy was my first doll and series of the American Girls (love, hardwork, bravery and hope).

[Rachel Moyes]

When I say that I fully wept through this--

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been wanting to read at least one book from this series for a very long time and I finally got that opportunity. I acquired this book at a flea market about a month ago and decided it was time to finally read it. Porter captures the world of Addy beautifully and the search for her family. It was a very touching story to be reading at this particular juncture where I had been reading all of these serious books about the Holocaust. The book was still sad in places, but overall the book was about starting over from the Civil War. I am very pleased that I read this book because it was well-written for children and will greatly benefit them in the process of learning about other time periods and other people. I had always wondered if this was a good series for children and now because I spent the time to read it I know that it is.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn’t like the cove of the book because there was only a girl on the cover.The book is all about a little girl is trying to find her aunt and her little sister.Eventually she finds both of them and later on the aunt dies and she stays with her sister and her mom,dad.Two strengths that I have are Sarah wants to be a teacher with Addy and that she finds her aunt and sister.The supporting evidence I have for the strengths are not as much emotion and makes her happy.Two weaknesses I have is the aunt and uncle dies and Sarah cant cant go to school.Supporting Evidence I have for weaknesses are it’s sad and not as much fun.My final thoughts about the book is that it was a really good book.it tels alout about the past with Martin Luther King.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I decided to re-read Addy’s books! They were so incredibly well done, and surprisingly deep for a children’s series. I know a lot of the story was lost on me as a kid, so reading these again as an adult has been very rewarding.

This was such a bittersweet ending, and I definitely teared up again. I’ve always considered Felicity’s books to be my favorite, but I think Addy’s books are a (very) close second now.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time for a series review! To be honest, this series was pretty middle of the road for me. I remember really enjoying the first book; the descriptions felt real and it was probably the most emotional. Otherwise it was fine. Nice introductions to that time in history for young readers. Nothing crazy, but that’s okay!

[HadenXCharm · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many bittersweet moments in this book. Addy's life is just so rough, man.

The book starts off with Addy realizing that Sarah is quitting school because her family needs the tiny bit of money she earns from working. Sarah's mother tells Addy that they can't wait for 'someday', they need to feed themselves TODAY.

Reuniting with Auntie Lulia and Baby Esther, and finding out that Solomon died in the freedmen's camp, and Baby Esther doesn't recognize her own mother anymore. Auntie Lula counseling Addy that not everyone reaches their dreams, and other people have to carry them forward -- and the reader can see how this parallels Addy's earlier realization that her dream of becoming a schoolteacher with Sarah is never going to come true. Sarah doesn't have the opportunity to stay in school like she does. Addy is going to carry forward that dream of education and share it with Sarah as she learns.

When Auntie Lula passes away, Addy has a moment of true despair, the unfairness of life, weeps to her mother that she doesn't want to do her speech at church tomorrow, because Auntie Lula and Uncle Solomon never got to enjoy their freedom, freedom didn't come quick enough for them. Which, god, that's so bleak.

Something I really wish more historical fiction for kids would do is INCLUDE PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIAL!!! There was a perfect opportunity for that when Addy is making her speech, reading out the Emancipation Proclamation! The book should have included an excerpt from it! This is the same way American History textbooks treat history. They talk AROUND it, rather than directly quote or include any of the primary documents for the children to actually read themselves. They had the perfect chance to do that in this book and just didn't take it! Maybe they thought it was too advanced for the 7-11 year old readers of these books? Which doesn't make sense, as ADDY is the one reading the proclamation, and she's 10 herself! Interesting choice.

[TheBookishHobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my SERIES REVIEW and let me tell you this is the BEST AG book series out of all of them I thought that as a little girl and I stand by that as an adult (could change since I have more to reread but probably not lol). The fact that AG has not made this into a film series should be considered a crime because not only would it educate our youth about this time period, it would for adults too. There are many very adult themes that just hits differently now and I know a film adaptation would make me teary eyed.

Addy has to go through so many challenges from slavery, learning to read, segregation laws even in the North, and so, so, so much more. There were so many emotional moments, there were many sections that made me pause and think about the people who did live during this time, and we should never allow that to happen to anyone again. It made me think of all the slave narratives I have read (which you too should read) and connect with the people during this time.

Connie Rose Porter I believe wrote a masterpiece of a children's series and nothing can top this in my book.

Here is my ranking of AG books:
Addy (1864): Five Stars
Kaya(1764): Five Stars
Kirsten(1854): Five Stars
Felicity(1774): Five Stars
Josefina(1824): Four Stars
Elizabeth(1774): Three Stars

My next series I will review if available at my library is Samantha, or I will circle back to Caroline and Marie-Grace & Cecil depending on availability.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so sad to finish the six and final full-length book in Addy's series! I have enjoyed rereading these with my daughters so much. In this book, Addy continues to go to school, work after school delivering packages for the dress shop where her mother works, and continues to hope to be reunited with her baby sister and the couple caring for her.

It was absolutely heartbreaking to see Addy's friend Sarah being forced to drop out of school to help earn money to support her family. Likewise, the pain of being separated from Esther, Addy's younger sister, felt desperately tragic. Rereading these as an adult, these scenarios felt even more profound. In dropping out of school, Sarah has lost the tenuous chance she had at earning the advanced education she needs to escape out of poverty. This was just devastating! Similarly, it was hard to imagine the pain and grief Addy's parents continue to feel separated from their child and not knowing where she is or if she's ok. She was so young at the time of separation, her parents must know that even if reunited, she is unlikely to even remember them. I cannot imagine enduring such pain as a parent!

A lovely story. I especially appreciated that while it had a happy ending, not everything goes right. This felt realistic and appropriate given the time period and circumstances.

[Naomi Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to revisit this series for some time now. It still holds fond memories for me, although it's definitely not much of a book for adults. Addy was always my least favorite, my favorites being Felicity, because I've always loved the 1770's American Colonial time period, and Samantha, because (I recall) I always thought she was so pretty and elegant and wanted to be like her.

That said, rereading this tale through an adult's eyes, I understand a lot of why I did not particularly care for the Addy series as a child. I've always been somewhat of a Grammar Nazi, actually being easier with it as I grow older, and was bothered by the broken English -- which, of course, I realize now, as an adult, is exactly historically accurate! :)

That being said, this was a good, little read, even if all the details were not quite correct. I'm giving it an extra star because I honestly think all little girls need to read this series. I also admit, having looked up the series, I am absolutely DELIGHTED! to see that the series has expanded and, despite it not being geared for adults, may still have to give the series additional tries if I do happen across more of these wonderful books!

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Addy series is five-stars all the way. One word of caution to parents of very young children reading to them. It is somewhat more sad and serious than some of the other American Girl series. That said, I also think it is an excellent teaching reference for what children and their families who were once slaves went through and how it affected them.

I'm glad Sarah was okay. To be honest, I couldn't remember what happened and I was afraid Sarah was going to get sick and die because of her old boots. I'm so glad she was okay. I think Addy is a good friend, encouraging Sarah and promising to help her even if she can't go back to school. I couldn't help but wonder as Addy asked Mrs. Moore if Sarah could return to school, how Mrs. Moore felt. Just a year before or so, she had helped Addy and her mother get settled. Now here Addy's family seems to be prospering while the Moore's are having trouble making ends meet. So sad.

[🍓 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending Addy’s stories with her reading the Emancipation Proclamation is beautiful. She was an enslaved and denied an education. In six books, about 2 years of her life, she works and achieves so much.

This ending represents her learning to read despite being denied it before, her church and the community she found that aided her family, the reunion of Sam and Esther in the crowd, and the Proclamation’s freeing of slaves.

Uncle Solomon and Aunt Lula, good lord I cried.

The family is reunited but at a cost, a theme that arches across all of her books.

I want to end my time reading Addy’s stories by highlighting a quote from this book that really stuck with me.

“Hope is a powerful thing, Addy. It’s the greatest gift you can give to somebody, or give yourself. It can see you through the worst times.” - Mr Polk

Constantly Addy holds onto hope and constantly it sees her through the end.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my least favourite book in the Addy series, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good! I was left wanting more and having so many questions! Does Sarah ever go back to school? Does Addy become a teacher? The story seemed so fast compared to the others.

Addy is hands-down my favourite of the American Girl series so far. It’s well-written, doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, and I really fell in love with the protagonist and her family. You’re cheering them on the whole time and hoping the family will find their way back to each other. I love the other AG stories, but I’m way more invested in Addy’s story than any of the others.

[Laura Vultaggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read and it held up to the hype of my childhood. Porter does an excellent job of addressing the long-term impacts of slavery in a way that is accessible and appropriate for young children. Addy will always have a very special place in my heart since as 4th graders, my best friend and I wrote to Pleasant Company and demanded that they make a Black doll and about a year later Addy was born! I am sure that others complained as well but as kids, we fully believed that it was all thanks to us!

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice conclusion to Addy's story. Though her dreams didn't come true the way she wished after suffering a loss, she still had her family to live for.
Its nice how the book showed some of the downside poor African Americans had to suffer through after being granted freedom without getting too deep into it or too gruesome. Good reminder to appreciate things like free education, no child labor, etc.
I liked the other stories more than this one but it was still good and recommend the entire series 👍

[Sarah Anne Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a bittersweet story, but the perfect way to culminate Addy's series and resolve loose ends with her family. It's true that the Walkers don't quite get the happy ending they longed for and deserved with Uncle Solomon and Auntie Lula's passing, but at least the entire Walker family was reunited in Philadelphia. I think Porter did a tremendous job of keeping things realistic and not sugar coating the darker aspects of Addy's journey, simultaneously crafting a story brimming with courage and hope. Addy has definitely earned a spot among my favorite American Girls.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate these books and this series. The authors have done a great job of bringing a small piece of history to young children, especially girls. They teach some history and values all geared towards the tween. I have especially enjoyed reading the Addy series about slavery, the underground railroad and then the prejudice and segregation in the North. My nine-year-old liked this series as well.
Recommend these for girls 8-11.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's bittersweet because this is the last book, but I also really wanted to finish the series. I really enjoyed reading Addy's books and overall I loved them as a whole. Addy is such a great character and each book leaves you wanting more. The books are so interesting and well written.

SPOILERS AHEAD:


It made me so happy that they were finally reunited with baby Ester who is no longer a baby. I was sad that the Aunt and Uncle died, but glad they died as free people and not as slaves.

[Liliana Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl named Addy, who is desperate to find her Aunt Lula Uncle Solomon and baby sister Esther but when they are found things don't turn out the way Addy planned it to. I gave this book a 5 star rating because it was an interesting book coming from a courageous girl in the midst of the Civil War, and I think it was super emotional I might have even cried at the ending. But you will just have to figure out what it is when you read it!

[Jacqueline M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Changes books are always bittersweet. We get everything tied into a neat bow, but not without some loss. I appreciate this book for closure, but it did feel rush. I also think it was a miss by Pleasant Company not to have the full text of the Emancipation Proclamation at least at the end of the book. It was important enough that Addy's big task is reciting it for the community, girls should be able to read it.