This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. With the war over, but so many ex-slaves displaced, Addy and her family still hope to find sister Esther. In yet another winter, Addy finds the good and the bad, gain and loss, and hope and the cost of freedom.

The final chapter is a historical look at the post-Civil War years, with Reconstruction, segregation, and the Civil Right Movement. This is another great Addy book, one that tells the unvarnished truth of life for African-Americans in America, but in an uplifting way. My eleven-year-old daughter is now the proud owner of the Addy books, and an Addy doll. She loves these books, and the young lady in your life will too.

This story is about a young American girl named Addy. In "Changes for Addy", Addy gets a letter from a women named Bertha Miller saying that she has found Addy's Auntie Lula, Uncle Solomon, and Addy's baby sister Esther. They were going to Philadelphia to give Esther back to Addy's momma. When they find Auntie Lula and Esther outside a church, Auntie Lula explains that Uncle Solomon has died and she, Auntie Lula, may die too. The joy of Christmas for Addy is washed away, leaving only the sadness of death. Is Addy's Christmas ruined? Or will Addy find joy in the happiness of the Christmas? I would highly recommend this book to a friend. This book is a tiny bit better than "Happy Birthday, Felicity" because Addy has way more adventure than Felicity. Connie Rose Porter is an awesome reader and writer.

Breaking the original overemphasis on the experiences of white girls, the Addy series remains one of the most realistic ones written.

The process of escaping from Slavery and starting over in a "free" society only to discover that society does not actually regard you as an equal either is not the happiest topic in the world, but it needs to be told in order to learn from our mistakes. The authors could have sugar coated the harsh realities of that world, but wisely chose to tell the whole truth to their elementary age target audience.

If ever there were a case where the Congressional Medal of Honor should be given out to a team of Children's Literature writers and illustrators, this team certainly has earned it.

In this installment, Addy is reuinted with her baby sister ester after what seemed like an eternity. While the previous reunions with her father and her brother were also emotional, the symbolism of shadows moving forward in a Church is especially powerfull. Her beloved Uncle Solomon has died, but has found peace because of his brief status as a free man.

The end of the book, which provides a historical recap is especially touching because it goes all the way into the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 1960's. Considering many public school districts give this portion of American History little attention (whether on purpose or not) I feel it is especially important for young women to read this particular portion of the American Girl's series.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a nine-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. In this story, Addy and her mother arrive in Philadelphia and freedom. Unfortunately, Addy begins to learn that freedom in the North is not what she expected it to be. Racism pervades this new world, and even the African-American girls of her own school are not all friendly. Along the way, though, Addy learns about friendship and perseverance.

The final chapter is a look at education for African-American children in the America of 1864. This book is another great Addy book, teaching some great lessons, against the backdrop of real hardships. My eleven-year-old daughter loved this book, and so do I.

I Liked this book because a girl in my class did the same thing to me as Harriet did to Addy. Addy learned not to trust her fake friends but her real ones. I really liked this book and I can't wait to read Book 3 Addy's Surprise.

This is a wonderful story that brings a part of the past back to life. It is told from a view point that is not often heard from, a young black girl who was a slave and has escaped, but doesn't know how to read or write. It also tells a story of the hardship of a black family during this time and the story of friendship that applies to all races. I think the character Addy is one girls will enjoy reading about, I don't think boys will like it very much. The story is told in a way that children can easily read and understand. At the end of the book is a short description with actual pictures of life at that time for a young black girl and what school was like back then for black children.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. With Christmas coming up, Addy spots the perfect gift for her mother, a bright red scarf. However, when their church puts out a plea for money for those arriving from slavery with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Addy and her mother decide that their money should go to those less fortunate. In this book Addy learns a lesson on giving and receiving, and hope.

The final chapter is a look at Christmas for African-American children in the America of 1864. This is another great Addy book, with a great lesson and a moving story. My daughter loves this book, and yours will too.

Addy's Surprise is my favorite Addy book. In the story, Addy and her mother are just getting setted in freedom. They're saving up for a gas lamp so their room well be better lit. And Addy finds a scarf that she wants to get her mother for Christmas as a way of saying thanks. Addy and her mother are especially looking forward to their church's Christmas celebration. But when the pastor at Addy's church preaches a sermon about helping those in need, Addy and her mother forgo their own Christmas plans to help the freedmen. But even so, there's a big surprise for them on Christmas day. A very, very nice book about Addy and her family during Christmas. In my opinion, the best book Connie Porter wrote about Addy!

Addy, an escaped slave, lives during hard times with her escaped mother. She wants Christmas to be happy. Will Christmas be a disappointment? Will they find Sam and Poppa, who were sold before Addy and her mother escaped, or Addy's baby sister, whom they had to leave behind? Get the questions answered in this beautiful tale of hope in hard times.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. In this story, Addy makes a new friend in the form of M'dear, a kindly old African-American woman whose blind eyes see more than most. Sadly, as Addy learns more about her new life of freedom, she learns more about the racial discrimination that pervades the world around her. It's up to Addy, with M'dear's insights, to see the way forward in such a dark world.

The final chapter is a look at what it growing up was like for African-American children in the America of 1864. Once again, I must praise American Girls for producing such a wonderful book. This story sets out race relations in a no-nonsense way, but without recrimination-it is a true lesson in healing. My eleven-year-old daughter loved this book, with its realistic history and gentle lessons, and I loved it too!

This book continues Addy Walker's adventures after successfully escaping her plantation for freedom up North.

Addy continues to be amazed by the opportunities that are so much more broader than those on the old plantation, but also realizes that even "free" states have racial segregation and discrimination. She is no longer the property of slaveowners, but still cannot travel certain places or excercise privlleges that whites in Philadephia are able to use.

With her friend Sarah's encouragement, Addy picks out a birthday. While such an action might seem mundane by today's standards, Addy (like others during slavery) never had a day that was uniquely hers. Taking her time with the big decision, Addy ultimately picks a day that has meaning for her and indeed, the entire nation.

Addy, an escaped slave, makes a friend, and worries about segregation. When is Addy's birthday? What can she do about prejudice between blacks and whites? How can she make this birthday a happy one? And can her new friend help her? Find out in this lovely tale.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. With the war over, Trinity A.M.E. Church decides to hold a fair to raise money for those hurt or displaced. Addy's idea for the children to hold a puppet show and sell the puppets is warmly received, but everything looks gloomy when she and Sarah are partnered with Harriet. Everything depends on the girls working together, much more so then they realized, so the girls must come together to overcome.

The final chapter is an informative look at outdoor activities in 1865. This is another, wonderful book, well written, with a captivating storyline and great lessons. My daughter is an Addy fan, and so am I! This book is great!

Addy and Sarah are against Harriet even though they are workingtogether on a booth for the church fair that is raising money to helpblack slaves get to their families. But when the money is stolen, Addy and Harriet must work toghether to get it back. Addy also meets a surprise person in this book. Addy Saves The Day is one of my favorite American Girl books because it is fun and exciting to read and I definitely recommend it.

This is a short story in the American Girls Short Stories series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. After the joy of celebrating the end of the Civil War, Addy's world is thrown into confusion when she receives the news the President Abraham Lincoln was shot. All her hopes for a better future seem gone. However, just when things look their darkest, Addy finds reason to hope.

The final chapter is a historical look at Lincoln's death and its aftermath, and then a nice quiz on Mr. Lincoln. (My eleven-year-old daughter got 8 out of 8!) Once again, Connie Porter has produced a great Addy book, one that shows what life was really like, and teaches a lesson. We highly recommend this book!

I love this cookbook! I've tried almost all the recipies and they are all really good! Especially the shortbread wich I have made more times than I can even remember. I love to bake and cook, and this book is one of my favrite books to cook from, thanks Jodi Evert! Keep up the good work!

What I enjoyed most about the Addy series was that it talks about friendship and being a leader. It tells you about how a child would feel in slavery, but in a positive way. Addy and her family try to stay happy no matter how bad things get. I think Addy would inspire any girl to become a leader.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. Addy gets a surprise when the railway company her father works for gives her family passes so that they can visit him in Cape Island, New Jersey. The experience begins to sour, though, as Addy finds herself confronted on every side by racism. When a little white girl pours abuse on Addy, she wishes her ill from the bottom of her heart, but later she sees the other girl's impoverished life, and begins to feel different.

The final chapter of this book has an interesting look at Cape Island (later Cape May), New Jersey, and some fun and easy directions for making your own vanilla ice cream! As with all of Connie Porter's Addy books, this one is great! The author successful shows the pain and hurt of racism, but succeeds in turning it into an upbeat and hopeful story. My twelve-year-old daughter loves her Addy doll, and loves this book. We both recommend the book to you very highly!

I am currently reading these books to my daughter who just turned five. We are both really enjoying them. I know the recommended age is seven and up but these books are great even before then but be prepared to discuss it also. My daughter can't wait to find out what Addy is going to do next. I think that these books are a great foundation for young girls. It can help them understand history as well as know that they can make a difference in the world no matter how small they are. We are working our way through the different American Girl series but I definately recommend the Addy books to everyone young and old. I think the history section at the end of each book is fabulous and really puts it in language a child can understand. It also helps that they relate the history to Addy since she is someone your child "knows" after reading the books.

I like this book because it is fun and easy to read. It only has
69 pages and a lot of good pictures. Addy is an American girl who
is a slave and wants to be free. At the end of the book she was
free. I was happy for her.

I liked the Addy books a lot when I was younger, and got the hardcover boxed set for Christmas. Addy is one of the better American Girls in the American Girls Collection, and her books should be a recommended read.