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The American Girls Collection
Welcome to Addy's World · 1864: Growing Up During America's Civil War
Describes the conditions of African Americans in the North and the South during and immediately after the Civil War.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 26, 2026
I am so sad that the Addy series is over - seriously (SERIOUSLY) it's so freaking good. I also appreciate that there's such a thoroughly researched companion book that delves into her world. Without further ado, here's the review!
Welcome to Addy's World -- We start with a brief section about why families chose to run to freedom. From there, we zoom out to the political environment at that time - specifically how the nation felt divided. We get several sections explaining why southern farmers wanted to keep slavery and how northerners felt about the situation. The book is honest - explaining how some northerners hated the very idea of slavery and others felt that the south could do what it wanted. This section ends with how Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation but at first it had little impact because the southerners ignored it.
Chapter One: North to Freedom -- In this section we learn about what it felt like to escape slavery and then try to start over new in cities like Philadelphia. We get to see inside two types of homes: a boarding house like Addy lived in and a house belonging to the Fortens (a black family who made a lot of money). We learn about the kinds of games that Addy would play and the toys that were available to children. From there we get information about jobs that were available to black people during that time. There is a deep dive Mrs. Lincoln's dressmaker (Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave) and the various fashions of the time. And more information about the impact of churches on the black community.
Chapter Two: The South -- this section focuses on plantation life and begins with an overview on what a southern plantation used to look like and how the entirety of a southern plantation's viability depended upon slave labor. From there we learn about what a day's worth of work for an enslaved person and what family bonds looked like under slavery. From there we learned about religion from the slave owner's perspective - how it was used to control their slaves and how the slaves held their own secret meetings. We get information about how the slaves kept their culture alive as well as they could, and how that was shown in their art, music, stories, and buildings. And finally, we learn a bit about Harriet Tubman - the event that triggered her desire for freedom and how she helped slaves through the Underground Railroad.
Chapter Three: At War Within -- this section teaches about the war effort from (mostly) the perspective of the women and children. We start by learning about how women would sneak their way into the northern ranks to do what they could to help the soldiers. We get some information about what it was like for the southern women to lose their slaves and have to act independent for the first time in their lives. And we learn about how women who stayed behind in the northern areas still helped the war front by sewing and taking over jobs as necessary. And finally, we learn about what it was like to celebrate the Revolutionary War being over, and the great tragedy of losing President Lincoln.
Chapter Four: Starting New Lives -- This focuses on what it was like for former slaves to begin their lives anew in freedom. One of the major things the former slaves did was to get married (formally, in a church) and begin recording their family history. We see what Freedmen schools were like and the impact of education upon the free people. We also learn how the south reacted to the loss of their slaves - even going so far as starting the KKK and enacting laws designed to punish or hinder the lives of black people.
A Peek into the Future -- Here we get a teaser about what Addy's life was like after the main book series. The section suggests that her Poppa would have enjoyed using his right to vote and that she worked very hard towards being a teacher. They also say that she likely would have married and had children.
Overall Thoughts
I feel like this was an extremely well done history book and it ties into Addy's story. I appreciate all of the first-person perspectives and research provided. Some of it was hard to read because it was honest about the realities of living life as a slave but at the same time, the book wasn't overtly graphic or sensationalist. It provided a no-nonsense look at the good (and the bad) events and historical moments in Addy's life.
Overall, I feel like this was a wonderful addition to the Addy collection.
Welcome to Addy's World -- We start with a brief section about why families chose to run to freedom. From there, we zoom out to the political environment at that time - specifically how the nation felt divided. We get several sections explaining why southern farmers wanted to keep slavery and how northerners felt about the situation. The book is honest - explaining how some northerners hated the very idea of slavery and others felt that the south could do what it wanted. This section ends with how Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation but at first it had little impact because the southerners ignored it.
Chapter One: North to Freedom -- In this section we learn about what it felt like to escape slavery and then try to start over new in cities like Philadelphia. We get to see inside two types of homes: a boarding house like Addy lived in and a house belonging to the Fortens (a black family who made a lot of money). We learn about the kinds of games that Addy would play and the toys that were available to children. From there we get information about jobs that were available to black people during that time. There is a deep dive Mrs. Lincoln's dressmaker (Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave) and the various fashions of the time. And more information about the impact of churches on the black community.
Chapter Two: The South -- this section focuses on plantation life and begins with an overview on what a southern plantation used to look like and how the entirety of a southern plantation's viability depended upon slave labor. From there we learn about what a day's worth of work for an enslaved person and what family bonds looked like under slavery. From there we learned about religion from the slave owner's perspective - how it was used to control their slaves and how the slaves held their own secret meetings. We get information about how the slaves kept their culture alive as well as they could, and how that was shown in their art, music, stories, and buildings. And finally, we learn a bit about Harriet Tubman - the event that triggered her desire for freedom and how she helped slaves through the Underground Railroad.
Chapter Three: At War Within -- this section teaches about the war effort from (mostly) the perspective of the women and children. We start by learning about how women would sneak their way into the northern ranks to do what they could to help the soldiers. We get some information about what it was like for the southern women to lose their slaves and have to act independent for the first time in their lives. And we learn about how women who stayed behind in the northern areas still helped the war front by sewing and taking over jobs as necessary. And finally, we learn about what it was like to celebrate the Revolutionary War being over, and the great tragedy of losing President Lincoln.
Chapter Four: Starting New Lives -- This focuses on what it was like for former slaves to begin their lives anew in freedom. One of the major things the former slaves did was to get married (formally, in a church) and begin recording their family history. We see what Freedmen schools were like and the impact of education upon the free people. We also learn how the south reacted to the loss of their slaves - even going so far as starting the KKK and enacting laws designed to punish or hinder the lives of black people.
A Peek into the Future -- Here we get a teaser about what Addy's life was like after the main book series. The section suggests that her Poppa would have enjoyed using his right to vote and that she worked very hard towards being a teacher. They also say that she likely would have married and had children.
Overall Thoughts
I feel like this was an extremely well done history book and it ties into Addy's story. I appreciate all of the first-person perspectives and research provided. Some of it was hard to read because it was honest about the realities of living life as a slave but at the same time, the book wasn't overtly graphic or sensationalist. It provided a no-nonsense look at the good (and the bad) events and historical moments in Addy's life.
Overall, I feel like this was a wonderful addition to the Addy collection.
June 8, 2011
As part of the American Girls collection, Addy's story is, of course, fiction; however, the information in the book (outside of the snippets of Addy's story that are shared) is factual. What's different about this book as opposed to the other juvenile lit Civil War books I've read is that it's from the perspective of African Americans, both slaves and freedmen, and so looks more closely at some disturbing and shameful aspects of the time period. It's done at an age appropriate level, but it's still one to make sure you either read with your child or discuss together afterwards. It also focuses more on the culture and society of the time period rather than the battles and military movements. Lots and lots of pictures, photos, reproductions of period posters and illustrations, including some unique ones I haven't seen in other books: quilts and other beautiful pieces of art created by slaves, cut-aways showing the layout of different homes, etc.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
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February 15, 2024"Uncle Solomon died a free man. He did what he set out to do. " And set out the Black people in America did. It was a good short glimpse into the struggles and challenges the Black people faced in America in the past. While the struggle officially ended in 1865, the book serves a reminder that the struggle never really ends as they still face the same discrimination described in the book, and that same discrimination/prejudice extends to other cultures growing in America as well.
July 20, 2025
I was so excited for reading this book in the series
This one just felt way more surface level and I understand it’s for young children so a lot of things maybe couldn’t be talked about in great detail but even for a surface level introduction it felt sparse
Also felt like there weren’t as many visuals are precious books
This one just felt way more surface level and I understand it’s for young children so a lot of things maybe couldn’t be talked about in great detail but even for a surface level introduction it felt sparse
Also felt like there weren’t as many visuals are precious books
February 17, 2021
Largely focuses on the African American experience before, during, and just after the Civil War, in both the North and the South. That focus makes sense for Addy's nonfiction tie in, and it's somewhat unusual for a children's book about this time period.
January 5, 2025
We should all engage with and learn about the history of enslaved people in America.
I am aware I am an adult and this is a book for children. It’s probably only surface-level. It made me cry. There should be more books like this for children: not inappropriate but honest.
I am aware I am an adult and this is a book for children. It’s probably only surface-level. It made me cry. There should be more books like this for children: not inappropriate but honest.
October 20, 2021
I loved this book as a history buff. I even dressed by as Tillie Pierce from the book. And that started the trend of me choosing costumes of people that no one could figure out lol.
March 30, 2023
Daughters loved this book. Great pictures;they learned a lot of history. Great to read along with the Addy books 📚
December 9, 2023
Surprisingly progressive and educational for 1999. Some outdated language (blacks, Indians, etc) but overall beautiful and informational! I wish AG still made these books for all the historicals
November 14, 2025
Really liked this one. Lots of OSM but still engaging.
November 23, 2015
Welcome to Addy's World is an Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) for Most Inspirational to Youth & Juvenile/YA Nonfiction . Addy is growing up during the civil war and her family must make the hard decisions. While Addy's story is fiction, the information and pictures in the book is nonfiction. This story carefully and beautifully puts together a work of fiction and work of nonfiction together, allowing readers to get a good visual of what was happening during the Civil War, especially for African Americans.
This book is a great book to assign students to read if you go over the Civil War, Inequality, anything to do with African American history. After your students read the book, have them a worksheet ready so they can answer some questions about the book and what they've read. Leave most of the questions or all the questions open ended instead of multiple choice, so you can assess what your students were able to learn and feel when they were reading the book.
This book is a great book to assign students to read if you go over the Civil War, Inequality, anything to do with African American history. After your students read the book, have them a worksheet ready so they can answer some questions about the book and what they've read. Leave most of the questions or all the questions open ended instead of multiple choice, so you can assess what your students were able to learn and feel when they were reading the book.
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October 22, 2009This book is really set up nicely for children. It uses pictures but also words to describe and show each piece of life during this time in history. It is a great way for students to compare and contrast how life is now for them and how it was back then. I would use this book to introduce either the Civil War or I could even use it to set up a unit on comparing generations and show them the book and then have them interview their grandparents to see what life was like at that time in history also.
September 23, 2007
I really liked this book. very good historic stuff.
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June 30, 2009J973.7 Sin
August 9, 2012
Another great, informational read that combines an American Girl, photos, and writing together to create an enjoyable historical experience. Must read for all AG and history fans.
January 3, 2015
This American girl companion book contains lots of trivia and information about the civil war, slavery and life in 1864, from fashions to games kids played.
February 6, 2015
My kids loved this book. The pictures are great, and it complimented our study of the Civil War nicely.
November 20, 2016
A very nice intro to the Civil War. So much more could have been covered, but that's going really deep into causes. Overall was a great read for the age bracket intended.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews