Meet Addy: An American Girl

Title: Meet Addy; An American Girl
Author: Connie Porter
Genre: Historical Fiction

Meet Addy is a harrowing tale of a young girl's escape to freedom from slavery. The story is set in 1864 where Addy and her family serve as slaves on a southern cotton plantation. After enduring many demeaning and unbearable hardships on the plantation, things worsen when Addy's father and brother are sold to another slave owner. Addy and her mother make the difficult decision to escape under the cloak of night to Philadelphia where they will be free. Addy's mother discussed this plan with her father and brother the night before they were sold, and if all went according to plan, they would meet there together and start a new, happier life. However, they must make the heart breaking decision to leave her baby sister behind with her Aunt and Uncle. After many frightening events and close calls, Addy and her mother make it to a house that was considered northern territory. Though the story is not drawn to a close at the end of the book, it is continued in the next book as it is a series. After the story, there are a few pages with actual photographs and information that supports the historical content of the story. All of the information and pictures are age appropriate, but still convey the sense of injustice and reality of the time period.

I think this book is a fantastic story to teach children about the hardships and unfairness of slavery, as well as an important lesson in diversity. At one point in the story after Addy is forced to humiliate herself by her slave owner, she tells her mother that she hates white people. Her mother however tells her that it is wrong to hate all white people. She tells her that if she fills her heart with hate, there will be no room for love. This was a very poignant quote from the story that resonated with me even after reading it. The struggles Addy and her family endured were enough to harden their hearts and minds, but yet they maintained a positive perspective and never ending courage in order to achieve their ultimate goal of freedom. This positive outlook and tale of courage is a message that will resonate with children in the same manner. Exposing children to a text that is not only historically founded but also morally sound will benefit not only their historical knowledge, but also their views on social justice.