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 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!

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!

Great book about the Hunza. The book is basically 2 parts. The first part deals with the authors travel to the Hunza valley and the Hunza way of life. It's like a journal and very enjoyably written.

The second part appeals a little less to me [that's why "only" 4 stars]. It tries to explain why the Hunza are so very healthy and the author does an excellent job of listing all the factors, but especially in the big "Diet" section some explanations don't sound allright to me. [but I am a raw foodist and disagree with the author saying that americans should take artificial supplements] Besides that it is an excellent book. The book also features a section with Hunza recipes, though some of the recipes use sugar, which is stated in the journal section that the Hunza don't use sugar. Hmm, as I said, the diet section is a little weird. =]

Since I first became aware of the Hunza, I have been fascinated by their simplicity and long life. As a teenager, I began my search for every available piece of information about people who live long and healthy lives. I was, and still am, willing and prepared to incorporate healthful living into my own lifestyle. That is why I have kept my copy of this work at my bedside for many years. It reminds me, daily, of the vigor and health I intend to maintain throughout my long life. This volume carefully and succinctly instructs the reader to follow the approach to life as the Hunza live it, as best one can in western society. Be happy, enjoy the happiness of others, eat well but not too much, exercise vigorously, preferably on hills, avoid envy, keep busy, love your friends, don't worry, play. And my addition, read more books!

the reports on the hunza tribe in the north of kashmir (north-pakistan)are from 1964, and they still teach us(the modern cultered people) how to eat,drink,behave,in order to live a better life in the sense of the health matters.the book is more facinating then a science fiction book,and the most important thing is:this book is a reality, wich we can make it real for us (the modern people)today at the year of 2000.learn the secretes from a true living legend tribe that in his living area in that specific way of life, to pass the age of 100 in (good health), is not just a wishfull thinking, and not the prevelage of only one person.

A well-written mix of comedy and drama, this is a tenderly, yet at times brutally honestly told tale of two older women whose well-meaning daughters set them up in a condo in Las Vegas. These women, Tess and Fannie, who think life has passed them by, both fall in love with the charming swindler Johnny Paolucci, and they realize that they are still capable of love, passion, and recreating themselves. Funny, touching, sometimes delightfully raunchy play with wonderful character parts. 2f (over 60), 2f (30s/40s), 1m (40s/50s), 1m (over 60).