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American Girl: Addy #1-6
Addy: An American Girl (Boxed Set)
Addy Walker is a proud, courageous girl growing up in 1864, during the midst of the Civil War. Addy's stories tell of her daring escape with her mother from slavery, and the challenges they face afterward as they try to reunite their family. But Addy's stories are about much more than hardship. They are full of the love and hope that help her get through the worst of times and keep her dreams alive The perfect way to learn about Addy is with a complete set of her six books in an attractive slipcase.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
6 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
Connie Rose Porter
69 books113 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 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 7, 2010
When I was about nine years old I found a copy of this book on the floor of my room. Me being not the type I assumed it was left behind by my sister in her rush to move out of the suffocating room we shared together. It seemed no longer than a picture book and the occasional illustrations made it seem slightly less antagonizing. So I read it...
Often as I went along I found myself glimpsing back at the cover. On this was an African-American girl like myself.
She wore a plaid dress, much like the awful uniform dresses worn at my private school, but with her white smile the dress didn't look ugly. It was not easy for me to imagine this girl for the first time going to school and living with only her and her mother, wondering and worry about her father and brother. It was hard for me mostly because my own life seemed so different. I could not see myself missing my brother, helping my mom in the kitchen or anywhere for that matter, and I could not see my father running from slavery. I'd heard of it, I knew it was true. That didn't make it any simpler for me to imagine. This book opened me up to issues in our past and future and how in literature these can be enter twined.
Often as I went along I found myself glimpsing back at the cover. On this was an African-American girl like myself.
She wore a plaid dress, much like the awful uniform dresses worn at my private school, but with her white smile the dress didn't look ugly. It was not easy for me to imagine this girl for the first time going to school and living with only her and her mother, wondering and worry about her father and brother. It was hard for me mostly because my own life seemed so different. I could not see myself missing my brother, helping my mom in the kitchen or anywhere for that matter, and I could not see my father running from slavery. I'd heard of it, I knew it was true. That didn't make it any simpler for me to imagine. This book opened me up to issues in our past and future and how in literature these can be enter twined.
June 28, 2017
This is the story of me and American Girl (hereafter, AG):
Me, sometime in early 2000s: "AG, a wholesome, quality, historically grounded alternative to Barbie? Sounds nice."
AG: "And the dolls don't even cost $200."
Me: "!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness I don't have a daughter."
Sometime before April 2010, AG finds out there is a girl baby *still inside me* and starts sending me catalogs. I am simultaneously charmed and sticker-shocked. (And a little freaked out about how they knew!)
The catalogs keep coming. My girl grows up looking at them. I tell her she'll never have one but we can sure enjoy looking at them.
And then one day we find Kit's story on audiobook at the library. We bring it home, for the primary reason that Kit is one of my daughter's nicknames. I'm a little cynical about how well the history will be presented. I listen as I'm in and out of her room and ... it's not bad. I'm actually on the brink of charmed.
Sorry. You're waiting for a book review. I'm almost there. Since sampling that first book (my daughter was too young at the time to be patient enough for the whole thing), we've watched a couple of the movies and we've dipped in and out of other books. But on a recent family road trip, we listened to all six of the main Addy stories. This was the first time I've gone straight through one girl's storyline. And I was impressed. My daughter's been asking for the book because Addy is her favorite doll. I knew Addy's backstory was slavery and I just couldn't figure out how a kids book/doll combo was going to do that any justice.
The story was definitely presented for young readers. But that doesn't mean it was sugar-coated. Some of the ugliest parts of slavery were there, just told with care or presented in an outline that a child could absorb, without every detail filled in. My 6-year-old was rooting for freedom, asking about prejudice and discussing what matters about our friends - and what doesn't.
Addy is engaging without being cloying. Her story ends well but not before leaving some deep scars, a satisfactory way to help the youngest listeners begin to understand a horrifying chapter of American history. And as we listened to the war ending and some people's opinions beginning to change, my 6-year-old celebrated and my 11-year-old jumped in to give his sister a little talk about the Civil Rights movement. I can't think of a better way to pass some hours in the car than an enjoyable story and meaningful conversation.
I still don't know that we'll ever buy her one of those (I'm sorry, but ...) crazy expensive dolls. But this is a franchise that I'm glad to get to know better. On to Felicity and Molly.
Me, sometime in early 2000s: "AG, a wholesome, quality, historically grounded alternative to Barbie? Sounds nice."
AG: "And the dolls don't even cost $200."
Me: "!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness I don't have a daughter."
Sometime before April 2010, AG finds out there is a girl baby *still inside me* and starts sending me catalogs. I am simultaneously charmed and sticker-shocked. (And a little freaked out about how they knew!)
The catalogs keep coming. My girl grows up looking at them. I tell her she'll never have one but we can sure enjoy looking at them.
And then one day we find Kit's story on audiobook at the library. We bring it home, for the primary reason that Kit is one of my daughter's nicknames. I'm a little cynical about how well the history will be presented. I listen as I'm in and out of her room and ... it's not bad. I'm actually on the brink of charmed.
Sorry. You're waiting for a book review. I'm almost there. Since sampling that first book (my daughter was too young at the time to be patient enough for the whole thing), we've watched a couple of the movies and we've dipped in and out of other books. But on a recent family road trip, we listened to all six of the main Addy stories. This was the first time I've gone straight through one girl's storyline. And I was impressed. My daughter's been asking for the book because Addy is her favorite doll. I knew Addy's backstory was slavery and I just couldn't figure out how a kids book/doll combo was going to do that any justice.
The story was definitely presented for young readers. But that doesn't mean it was sugar-coated. Some of the ugliest parts of slavery were there, just told with care or presented in an outline that a child could absorb, without every detail filled in. My 6-year-old was rooting for freedom, asking about prejudice and discussing what matters about our friends - and what doesn't.
Addy is engaging without being cloying. Her story ends well but not before leaving some deep scars, a satisfactory way to help the youngest listeners begin to understand a horrifying chapter of American history. And as we listened to the war ending and some people's opinions beginning to change, my 6-year-old celebrated and my 11-year-old jumped in to give his sister a little talk about the Civil Rights movement. I can't think of a better way to pass some hours in the car than an enjoyable story and meaningful conversation.
I still don't know that we'll ever buy her one of those (I'm sorry, but ...) crazy expensive dolls. But this is a franchise that I'm glad to get to know better. On to Felicity and Molly.
October 10, 2015
Addy was the first American Girl who was introduced to the series in the midst of my obsession (or should I say, my first obsession? :P) Her stories were groundbreaking- they portrayed the first, non-White girl, and a very dark part of our nation's history. And though the books were watered down enough for child consumption, I could still feel Addy's family's degradation as slaves, the fear of trying something new (to imagine, freedom being new!) and the disappointment of it not living up to it's lofty ideals, and the desperate and ultimately joyous search for the rest of her family after the Civil War. If there's one thing Addy taught me, it was to face the world with bravery, no matter what the challenge. Brava.
August 5, 2020
even though addys story is watered down for younger kids to read that does not mean it didn't show some of the uglier things that happened to blacks during this time period. addys story is heartwarming and heartbreaking simultaneously. i love the search for her family and the hope of freedom in addys heart. i will be thinking about addy and hopefully adding her doll to my collection some day
May 24, 2020
ADDY!!
I'm doing an American Girls reread and I was so excited to see that Addy was every bit as awesome as I remember her.
Addy was my first experience with AG. My mom bought the box set at Costco because it had a young black girl on the cover. She thought that it was important that my sister and I see ourselves in media. All of the American Girl books I read after were great, but Addy was always my favorite. She was brave, determined and most importantly, she was always quick to point out injustices. The way Connie Porter balances the reality of what life would have been like, but still gave Addy space to be a girl who plays double dutch with her friend was beautifully done. Most importantly, I remembered the ways in which I tried to emulate Addy when I was little. I still have the cowrie shell necklace I made to be Just Like Addy.
Certain parts of the story hit differently as an adult and I realized lot of beautiful lessons can still be taken from her now. Though looking back on American Girl, there are a lot of issues and pain when thinking of the books, the care and beauty of Connie Porter's writing is exceptional. Meeting Addy was like greeting an old friend. I'm glad I reopened this box set.
Several points that I loved
-The small historical points like Addy's family working in a garden to be able to buy back her family. This was a really dark concept, but it was a necessary detail. As a child, I didn't grasp the monumental horror of this reality. Porter does such
-The spelling bee. Addy rooting for her friend, then deciding to lose so that Sarah wouldn't be embarrassed, then changing her mind and winning to one up the bully...I stan a Queen.
-Harriet. Her introduction and growth as a character, in addition to what she represents. I remember it being the first time I'd seen colorism being addressed. In addition, Harriet's character brings in issues of class bias as well as the divide between people who were born free and those born enslaved.
-"Freedom Ain't Free" - I can't even express how much I connected with this quote as a child, and I hadn't yet realized the depth of its truth. Addy's book series is layered and doesn't talk down to kids. It introduces them to deep historical issues and doesn't shy away from addressing them in a way that is accessible.
All in all I encourage everyone to Meet Addy. You won't regret it.
I'm doing an American Girls reread and I was so excited to see that Addy was every bit as awesome as I remember her.
Addy was my first experience with AG. My mom bought the box set at Costco because it had a young black girl on the cover. She thought that it was important that my sister and I see ourselves in media. All of the American Girl books I read after were great, but Addy was always my favorite. She was brave, determined and most importantly, she was always quick to point out injustices. The way Connie Porter balances the reality of what life would have been like, but still gave Addy space to be a girl who plays double dutch with her friend was beautifully done. Most importantly, I remembered the ways in which I tried to emulate Addy when I was little. I still have the cowrie shell necklace I made to be Just Like Addy.
Certain parts of the story hit differently as an adult and I realized lot of beautiful lessons can still be taken from her now. Though looking back on American Girl, there are a lot of issues and pain when thinking of the books, the care and beauty of Connie Porter's writing is exceptional. Meeting Addy was like greeting an old friend. I'm glad I reopened this box set.
Several points that I loved
-The small historical points like Addy's family working in a garden to be able to buy back her family. This was a really dark concept, but it was a necessary detail. As a child, I didn't grasp the monumental horror of this reality. Porter does such
-The spelling bee. Addy rooting for her friend, then deciding to lose so that Sarah wouldn't be embarrassed, then changing her mind and winning to one up the bully...I stan a Queen.
-Harriet. Her introduction and growth as a character, in addition to what she represents. I remember it being the first time I'd seen colorism being addressed. In addition, Harriet's character brings in issues of class bias as well as the divide between people who were born free and those born enslaved.
-"Freedom Ain't Free" - I can't even express how much I connected with this quote as a child, and I hadn't yet realized the depth of its truth. Addy's book series is layered and doesn't talk down to kids. It introduces them to deep historical issues and doesn't shy away from addressing them in a way that is accessible.
All in all I encourage everyone to Meet Addy. You won't regret it.
June 22, 2010
I first got these books when I was about 10 years old maybe. My dad was trying to get me to stop reading so many...reference books. Things like atlases, almanacs, nonfiction books really. Especially about history. He wanted me to read some chapter books. Little did he know that these books turned out to be some of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. These books follow the life of Addy, a young African American girl who is a slave. She escapes with her mother after both her Addy's brother and father are sold away and Addy's mother decides to leave Esther, the baby of the family behind. Addy and her mother eventually escape to the city of Philadelphia where Addy encounters many problems but it is eventually reunited with most of her family members. I really liked this book and I think that more people should read these books if they want to know the ill effects of slavery.
December 17, 2012
The Addy series is a great way to introduce the idea of slavery from a realistic fiction point of view. Students can connect with the young girl, Addy, and her life as a slave. Addy faces many struggles as a young african american slave (the most visual is when she is forced to eat the cotton worms). There are many books about Addy, so students can continue reading about her life if they choose.
September 5, 2011
These are very sad books but very interesting because you learn so much about slavery. I love Addy's character!
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April 2, 2013I read this book in the fourth grade when we were learning about slavery. I also had this American Girl Doll and it really made me understand that time period and what was going on in our country
January 13, 2015
Yup! The boxed set and my Addy doll are still upstairs. Connie Rose Porter is a lovely writer! I'll always love Addy- made amazing childhood memories :)
February 3, 2017
I was born in 1986, so by the time I was old enough to read these books and responsible enough with toys to get an American Girl doll, Addy had just been released. I don't know what exactly it was that drew me to her, but she was the one I wanted as soon as I looked through the catalog. My mother had expected me to gravitate to Molly or Samantha since they looked the most like me. But I actually credit my mom with all of our trips to historical sites, museums, and cultural fairs, and I always wanted the non-blonde Barbies anyway, there was something about her story and description that I wanted to read her books first.
Her stories gripped me as my mom and I read them together, and Addy (and Ida Bean) got hugged the whole time. We talked about each chapter seriously, and I put myself in her shoes and cried when she lost her older brother since I followed my older brother around everywhere. Her story got brought up with my Sunday school class when we talked about the Jewish slaves in Egypt and I brought up the slaves in America (I remember the teacher getting very nervous with the topic but she went with it, bless her.) During Black History Month, I lent my elementary school teacher the first book and she read it to the class. I had my first discussions with my parents of the "N" word, racial discrimination from housing and jobs, about how education gave people opportunities, all issues that are still plaguing our country. I loved Addy and her stories with a passion my friends could all attest to since I always wanted to play American girl dolls. For a 7 year old, the books combined with the doll made the story very real and my parents were able to build on that to teach me more about social justice and equality. I loved these stories!
I know there were critiques that the first black American girl was a slave and how it perpetuated stereotypes, and I agree that black families deserve to have the whole breadth of black culture and history depicted not just slavery. But for how it handled the subject matter, and created a family that persevered under extraordinary circumstances, how it handled the continual racisim that didn't end once they were in the North and free, it opened the eyes and hearts of many little girls (and let's be honest many white girls) to a very difficult part of our history without flinching away from the harsh truths. It was the first experience with racism and slavery for many young children, and it helped parents have a way to talk about these ideas which is a great beginning.
Her stories gripped me as my mom and I read them together, and Addy (and Ida Bean) got hugged the whole time. We talked about each chapter seriously, and I put myself in her shoes and cried when she lost her older brother since I followed my older brother around everywhere. Her story got brought up with my Sunday school class when we talked about the Jewish slaves in Egypt and I brought up the slaves in America (I remember the teacher getting very nervous with the topic but she went with it, bless her.) During Black History Month, I lent my elementary school teacher the first book and she read it to the class. I had my first discussions with my parents of the "N" word, racial discrimination from housing and jobs, about how education gave people opportunities, all issues that are still plaguing our country. I loved Addy and her stories with a passion my friends could all attest to since I always wanted to play American girl dolls. For a 7 year old, the books combined with the doll made the story very real and my parents were able to build on that to teach me more about social justice and equality. I loved these stories!
I know there were critiques that the first black American girl was a slave and how it perpetuated stereotypes, and I agree that black families deserve to have the whole breadth of black culture and history depicted not just slavery. But for how it handled the subject matter, and created a family that persevered under extraordinary circumstances, how it handled the continual racisim that didn't end once they were in the North and free, it opened the eyes and hearts of many little girls (and let's be honest many white girls) to a very difficult part of our history without flinching away from the harsh truths. It was the first experience with racism and slavery for many young children, and it helped parents have a way to talk about these ideas which is a great beginning.
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May 13, 2021General: Currently reading through the American Girl series with my 5 year old daughter. Addy was our second series and we both really enjoyed this one. Addy is growing up during the Civil War (for some of the books) and reconstruction (by the end)...and initially, her family is enslaved by a southern plantation owner. After escaping, Addy and her mother (and family eventually) live and build new lives in Philadelphia.
Content: There was quite a bit of content I had to abridge (at this point!) for a 5 year old. There are extremely difficult scenes of slave-abuse, references to war (& injury) as well as the difficulty of family separation. I could hardly bear the part about Addy’s mother having to leave her baby behind in order to escape. There’s also an introduction to post-war racism, as Addy’s father cannot find work because of his race. Even still, I found age-appropriate ways to introduce the realities of this horrifying time in history to my young daughter.
Content: There was quite a bit of content I had to abridge (at this point!) for a 5 year old. There are extremely difficult scenes of slave-abuse, references to war (& injury) as well as the difficulty of family separation. I could hardly bear the part about Addy’s mother having to leave her baby behind in order to escape. There’s also an introduction to post-war racism, as Addy’s father cannot find work because of his race. Even still, I found age-appropriate ways to introduce the realities of this horrifying time in history to my young daughter.
April 16, 2021
This 6 book series follows 10 year old Addy, a slave in the south during the Civil War. When her family is separated, she and her mother set out for Philadelphia in the North. As they struggle to establish a new life, the nation continues to fight. Later books follow the reunification of different members of her family and the starkness of being black even in a world where slavery is abolished.
This is a tough topic. Yes it didn't go into nitty-gritty details about slavery, but this is a series for young kids. My 10 and 7 year old listened and learned history. These books did a good job of presenting the info without making it overwhelming or preachy.
This is a tough topic. Yes it didn't go into nitty-gritty details about slavery, but this is a series for young kids. My 10 and 7 year old listened and learned history. These books did a good job of presenting the info without making it overwhelming or preachy.
November 1, 2020
I really enjoyed these books. The writing is quite good, and I felt it did a good job of introducing the concept and wrongness of slavery to children without complicating the issue. I particularly appreciated the theme of book 2, that freedom has a cost. It would have been easy to get them to Philadelphia, their goal, and leave them there having attained it. But in subsequent books, the author details the struggle of surviving and making ends meet, and the sorrow of not knowing where other family members are. It's as touching as it is heartbreaking, and I thought it was very well done.
March 6, 2024
I loved all of the American Girl books as kid but Addy was always my favorite. Re-reading as an adult, I still admire her courage and indomitable spirit. A beautiful story of love, family, bravery and hope that I think can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I am just getting into chapter read aloud books with my 4.5 year old and was excited to share this old favorite with her. Even though it is a watered down version of the real history I decided it’s too mature for that age (IMO). However, I am looking forward to reading it to her as she gets older.
July 9, 2017
Frequently being the only Black American in school throughout K-12, this series of books helped me understand some of the basics of this time, the struggles of slavery and reconstruction. This series is a considerably easy alternative to introduce the history of slavery; besides maybe in total 5 pages of black history a 200 page history text book.
February 1, 2021
I had a great time rereading Addy's stories that I would have originally read around age 9. Porter does a fantastic job of presenting the horrors of slavery and post-slavery racial tensions in a way that is understandable for children without being overwhelming. I think the first three stories are more interesting than the latter three, but all were well written and engaging.
August 1, 2022
Children's, Historical Fiction
I read a handful of American girl books around 2nd grade. Sofia was really obsessed with them. I liked them I think Samantha and Josefina were my favorites. I wanted an American girl doll so so bad. It's honestly a little fucked up how this franchise is so inaccessible....but its still fun.
-August 2022
I read a handful of American girl books around 2nd grade. Sofia was really obsessed with them. I liked them I think Samantha and Josefina were my favorites. I wanted an American girl doll so so bad. It's honestly a little fucked up how this franchise is so inaccessible....but its still fun.
-August 2022
April 28, 2023
My daughter has read Addy about a hundred times, so she loved when I told her that I would read it too. I know I read a number of American Girl books as a child but I can't remember if I had read all the Addy books before.
I thought it was going to be a dull read, but was surprised that I was actually engrossed in the stories for 2 days until finishing.
I thought it was going to be a dull read, but was surprised that I was actually engrossed in the stories for 2 days until finishing.
February 14, 2018
These were the first American Girl Doll books I have read. I was definitely not expecting them to be so well written and historically accurate. These are excellent historical fiction books for young kids.
December 14, 2024
Addy’s stories are some of the best in the American Girl series . Drawing on information from real life historical events, Addy’s stories transport readers to the time of the Civil War, where they step into the courageous shoes of a young girl escaped from slavery.
September 7, 2019
Addy was my favorite American Girl
May 31, 2020
Great series dealing with a young girl's escape from slavery and her life afterwards. This series was part of my childhood and I'll always treasure it!
June 1, 2020
Read Aloud with Emily- Books 1-6
January 31, 2021
Appropriately serious children's literature about slavery, escape, and post-war reunification of enslaved families, told through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl
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March 22, 2021Grade level: 3-4
Lexile level: 780L
Lexile level: 780L
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2021
I read American Girl books as a kid and when I found this, nostalgia hit me. Clearly, the books are for children, but I still enjoyed them as an adult.
July 27, 2021
brb crying honestly i think this is the best one
June 16, 2023
My girls loved it and learned a little more about slavery and how it hurt families and not just individuals.
June 9, 2024
FANtastic series.
After Addy it's hard to take the troubles of other American girls seriously
After Addy it's hard to take the troubles of other American girls seriously
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews