Addy Learns a Lesson : A School Story

After arriving in Philadelphia, Addy Walker and her mother set out to build new lives for themselves, with Addy attending school for the first time and making new friends. Simultaneous.

Grade 3-6-Addy is a nine-year-old slave when the first story opens in 1864. The likable young heroine wakes up to hear her parents discussing whether they should try to escape or wait until the end of the war. Readers follow the girl into the tobacco fields where she worms the plants, feel her heartbreak as she sees her beloved father sold, and steal through the night with her as she and her mother make a run for the North. Their hunger, the loss of her baby sister, insect bites, and the fear of Confederate soldiers all ring true. While most of their hardships are resolved a bit too quickly, youngsters will empathize with and relate to the strong characters. The book ends as mother and daughter make their way to Philadelphia, but there's no indication that the family is reunited. Addy Learns a Lesson is a more self-contained story. Now in Philadelphia, the girl goes to school for the first time and makes a friend. She learns that there are haves and have-nots, the effects of jealousy, and the double-edged sword of freedom. Attractive, subtly shaded, realistic full-color paintings bring characters and scenes to life, dramatically conveying feelings and action. A "Peek into the Past" section of photographs and facts is appended to each title. These series entries will be popular additions to historical fiction collections.
Susannah Price, Boise Public Library, ID
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.