Meet Addy-An American Girl: By Connie Porter

        On a summer night in 1964, nine-year-old Addy Walker awakes in the night to over hear her parents whispering about a secret plan they have been developing for some time--escaping slavery. Addy and her family, Momma, Daddy, big brother Sam, and baby sister Esther live on a plantation owned by Master Stevens, where they work in the fields and serve their master in the house. Momma and Daddy have planned for the family to run away along the rail tracks to a known safe house, where they will be helped to Philadelphia, to freedom.  However, before Addy's family can make their escape, something terrible happens. Daddy and Sam are sold to another master, at another plantation and the family is split up. This leaves Addy and her mother forced to take the terrifying risk of escaping by themselves to Philadelphia, in hopes the family will be reunited eventually. Addy and Momma over come great challenges such as crossing a raging river and dodging Confederate soldiers, before they finally reach the safe house.
         This historical fiction book tells the story of a slave family's struggle to escape to freedom during the Civil War. Connie Porter's portrayal of the era is very authentic, describing the plantation setting, the camaraderie amongst the slaves, and the hatred shown by the "overseers" at the plantation. The writing style used during the dialogue between the African American characters helps to make the text further believable through the use of the deep Southern accents we expect of these characters. Based off the "A Peek Into The Past"section, the historical content of the story was very well researched to ensure accuracy of information. The characterization of the Walker family is perfectly depicted for the time period, allowing readers to see the strength of family ties between slaves in the South.
         I would recommend this book for students in grades 3-6, with the consideration that there are a few vivid descriptions of the poor treatment of slaves by their masters that may need to be discussed further. This book would be a powerful addition to a study of slavery and the Civil War in that it describes slavery and escape to freedom from the perspective of a nine-year-old girl. Young readers will be able to relate to Addy's love for her family and desire to just be a kid, while gaining a greater understanding about the challenges African Americans faced in becoming free people.



Picture Source: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/meet-add