The Underground Railroad

American Girl: Real Stories From My Time

by Bonnie Bader, Kelley McMorris (Illustrator)

Discover the stories of the real people and events that shaped American history in the Real Stories From My Time series. Perfect for book reports with full-page illustrations throughout, these nonfiction chapter books also include historical photos, maps, a timeline, a glossary, and a bibliography at the back. Plus, in each book, an American Girl historical character shares a bit of her own fictional story. The Underground Railroad includes miles of real stories of passengers, conductors, and abolitionists-well-known and unknown-that traveled on the slavery escape route known as the Underground Railroad. American Girl Addy Walker shares the story of her own journey to freedom.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Childrens, Historical, School, Biography

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Bonnie Bader lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for the history, 1 star for whatever that Addy narrative was supposed to be.

"About one out of every five slaves bought and sold was a child under the age of ten. ... Once separated, most slaves never saw their loved ones again."

This book blended nonfiction and fiction to tell the story of slavery in America.

Each chapter is forwarded by Addy's narrative, told in first person, explaining what it was like to live under slavery, escape to freedom, and how her family is doing now.

Between those sections, we get an in-depth view on slavery - including first person accounts, photographs, and descriptions of events.

So, I will say that I really liked all of the nonfiction elements of this story. I thought the author did a great job explaining, in detail, what slavery was like for Addy and others in that time without being overtly graphic.

They first explain how the "Underground Railroad" was not truly a railroad before describing what life was like for slaves in America (from the start to the end of slavery).

From there we learn about various important abolitionists of the time, what it was like to escape slavery, and how slave catchers would chase the passengers. There's information on famous conductors (Harriet Tubman, of course, but also several others) and how station houses were used.

And the nonfiction elements end with slavery being abolished, a glossry, a map of the Underground Railroad and a timeline of slavery.

Ultimately, this section was honest, age-appropriate, and provided a solid foundation to build one's education upon.

However, the fiction elements - specifically the 1-2 page Addy narration before each chapter really should've been written by the original author of the Addy series.

This is relatively minor, but right off the bat, I felt confused by the intended audience.

When we had The Titanic (American Girl), the premise was that Samantha's aunt, cousin, and adopted sister were on the ship and Samantha was journaling her thoughts to help with the anxiety. It made the narrative between the nonfiction parts feel more cohesive.

However, this book just launches into Addy describing the plot of her main series. Each paragraph opened with quotations, meaning that she must be telling the plot to someone, but it's unclear who.

I wish the author would've included a sentence or two about Addy talking to a reporter or writer who wants to preserve the history of escaped slaves - something to give more structure to Addy's narrative.

Moving along, it's hard to describe but all the passages from "Addy's" perspective just felt wrong, inaccurate, and inauthentic to her experience. Granted, we do have a perspective shift - Addy is narrating in first person - but I think the off-putting nature of the passages goes beyond that.

For example:

"Poppa say the time is right to take our freedom. He wants us to run to the North. But Momma doesn't want to go."

This felt wrong because according to the original story, Momma was more afraid of her family being split apart if they were caught. To her, the most important thing was to keep her husband and children with her. Leaving out that context doesn't provide a whole picture for Momma's stance.

Furthermore, there's this moment while Addy was working in the field:

"We got to peel off the big green worms crawling on the leaves so they can't eat the plants. Today, I ain't paying no mind to worming... [the overseer]'s other hand got the worms I missed. Big fat ones, still live and wriggling. He stuff them worms right in my mouth.

This is inaccurate because in the original story this moment happens after Poppa and her brother, Sam, were sold. Addy was in shock and grief, and had inadvertently missed the worms. This scene was pivotal for making up Momma's mind to run to freedom.

And I'll add in one last example:

"The night Momma and me make our escape, a full moon shine through the tall pines. ... My screams put us in danger. Esther couldn't come because she might cry and give us away, and here I am acting like a baby. I hush up."

This felt inauthentic to Addy's character. The scene opens with Momma and Addy running to freedom - and it's only once we are mostly through the scene does Addy mention that they left Esther behind. No mention of Esther being cared for by Auntie Lula and Uncle Solomon.

According to the original books, leaving Esther behind greatly disturbed Addy. She felt horrible, heartbroken, and the only reason they could do so was because she knew her aunt and uncle would take the best care of Esther possible. Yet none of that emotional turmoil is expressed. Addy seems to be more concerned about being perceived as a baby than her sister's wellbeing.

Overall, the nonfiction elements worked really well - I liked all of the sources included and the fascinating (and horrifying) look into America's past.

However, the Addy sections left much to be desired. It felt like the author read through the books once and called it a day. It might not matter to a casual reader, but as someone who's read every Addy book I could get my hands on: this one stinks. Addy deserves better.

More reviews in the Addy-verse

Main Series:
Meet Addy - ★★★★☆
Addy Learns a Lesson - ★★★★☆
Addy's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Addy - ★★★★★
Addy Saves the Day - ★★★☆☆
Changes for Addy - ★★★★★
Addy's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆

Short Stories:
Addy Studies Freedom - ★★★★☆
Addy's Wedding Quilt - ★★★★★
Addy's Little Brother - ★★★☆☆
High Hopes for Addy - ★★★★☆
Addy's Summer Place - ★★★☆☆
Addy's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆

Additional History Books
Addy's Cookbook - ★★★★★
Addy's Craft Book - ★★★★★
Addy's Theater Kit - ★★★★★
Real Stories from My Time: The Underground Railroad - ★★★☆☆
Welcome to Addy's World · 1864 - ★★★★★

Mystery Book:
Shadows on Society Hill - ★★☆☆☆

Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in 2014)
Finding Freedom: An Addy Classic - ★★★☆☆
A Heart Full of Hope: An Addy Classic - ★★★☆☆

Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2020)
Addy: Finding Freedom - ★★★★☆
Addy: A Heart Full of Hope - ★★★★☆

Beginner Reader & Picture Books
Freedom for Addy (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆

[Readaholic Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent interesting way for children to learn about history.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series of books. I definitely enjoyed this one. I admit, I wanted a little more of Addy's story and I wanted to know more about what happened with her family. That didn't keep me from giving this book 5 stars. Another book completed for Middle Grade March.

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book for young readers that explains the history of slavery in the United States, what the Underground Railroad was, how it came to be, and gives many stories of the people who escaped to freedom. Brief biographies are given of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Henry “Box” Brown, and others. Interwoven with these historically factual chapters is the fictional story of Addy, an American Girl”, from the well loved American Girl Series. The text is in a large font, for easy reading, and the black and white illustrations and photographs are well done. A glossary, map, and timeline are included.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is kinda confusing how they speak but other than that its good

[Octavia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This Book is Not an American Girl Book by Ms. Connie Rose Porter. I'm saying this initially for many Reasons...
I picked up this book along with other Addy Books by Ms. Connie Rose Porter to intoduce Addy to one of my Granddaughters. At the time, I decided against writing a review about this book and my reasons for only 1 star. Yet, Rising within me right now, there is something stirring within; showing importance of completing this review for Others to understand Futurewise.

This book was the last Addy book I read to my Granddaughter, recently. The author goes into explaining several things about slavery, etc. But, sadly this book became distasteful when I had to read the words...."Addy is a Fictional character." I could seem to understand this Author's reasons for adding that information. Or even this reason for this book at all. This is where the Mood of this book Reveals itself. This book is very gloomy throughout its entirety. Along with the same Gloom in the pictures. I would NOT recommend this one for any child. Unlike the Wonderful Addy Books by Ms. Connie Rose Porter. All of her books are written with so much Warmth, Love, Compassion, Humanity, Hospitality, and Joy you could FEEL from
each page! ❤

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fascinating, enlightening and educational book. Detailing true stories about the secret Underground Railroad and slaves journey to freedom.

It’s written incredibly well and I liked being able to learn a lot more about people’s journeys and struggles and fighting for their right to freedom. From the people helping to save them and protect them, to the people that were going on the scary journey alone. It was incredible reading of their experience and the outcomes of their freedom.

I also found it very clever that as a particular topic came up there were inserts from Addy Walkers stories that coincided with the theme of the chapter. It was sweet having her story alongside real life stories of that time.

[Alexia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Even though I've learned about the Underground Railroad, I learned a lot about people who helped out with the Underground Railroad who aren't as well known as Fredrick Douglass or Harriet Tubman as well as the fact that Florida wasn't always part of the U.S. The only reason I gave the book four stars was that Addy's journal entries are just excepts from her original book series whereas Felicity's journal entries are new. Fans who haven't read Addy's series won't mind but as a fan who read her six book series, this disappointed me a little

[Keshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the mix of history and Addy's fictionalized historical journey in this book. I had already read an Addy book and was familiar with her passages. Still brought tears to my eyes. I look forward to reading more of this Real Stories series.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Girl- Addy Walker

Story blends Underground Railroad and American Girl, Addy Walker life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical info with Addy passages mixed in.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of the Underground Railroad for young readers. Fiction and non-fiction interspersed to present a true realization of that period in our history.

[Barbara Mittelstadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book packed with non-fiction info about the Underground Railroad and famous individuals that helped runaway slaves. Good book to add to classroom library.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got the main points across but in some ways was greatly oversimplified (losing some nuance) and had a couple major typos.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter for a historical fiction book report. I was impressed that the author didn't flinch away from telling the realities of slavery. So many of the books we read together about slavery have these smiling happy slaves and omit any actual facts about slavery. I felt like this book did a good job telling them some of the realities of slavery, but at a level appropriate for their age. My only complaint would be that it didn't do a great job of explaining that the number of slaves that managed to escape was a small percent, that the life story of the majority of slaves wasn't a journey towards freedom but a lifetime of slavery. At the end my kid thought that most slaves eventually made it to freedom. We had to go back and reread parts for her to infer just how few slaves reached freedom. Other than that, we enjoyed the read and I was impressed just how many important figures were mentioned.

[Heather Gmiterek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lex says recommends this book to anyone who loves Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is hardly mentioned but he is a big fan of Abraham Lincoln from reading the flashback four book about him so the fact that Ol’ Abe is mentioned made the book and now I get to listen to him rattle on about the Gettysburg address for another few weeks. He cringed at some of the vivid descriptions of how slaves were abused and mistreated they were intense and he felt so sad but the bravery of the ones who escaped was “pretty awesome but scary”.

[Lara Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult subject matter but important. It is a challenge to make this kid appropriate but this does a nice job. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality but it is a softer telling. I am not sure this adds to an already wealth of knowledge and resources on this topic.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the history of slavery is not an easy topic to raise and discuss with children, I found this book helpful for laying out the facts in an appropriate way for younger ears, which has led to related conversations about racism that still exists today.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I really like these history books. I think they're age appropriate and don't sugarcoat the history. This one obviously focused more on the Underground Railroad than the Civil War, which was good. There's lots of individual stories sprinkled in as examples.

[HappyGay Bakunzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book factual and emotional

[Sharie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Potential for great series. Great info and highlighted vocabulary.
Unfortunately I'm really turned off by Addy pages as they don't seem genuine but forced and therefore "dumbing".

[Shontel Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this together. Very good early chapter book for young women who want to learn about history!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book!!!!!!❤️

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this with my child.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Underground Railroad combines true stories with fictional stories about slavery and the underground railroad.

[Cristi Schwamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly facts and history with snippets from the Addy books added at the end if each chapter. Not historical fiction, but more like a history text with separate fictional passages.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addy’s story didn’t work as well for me here, mostly because it was just repetitive from her books. But, this series is really cool.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches kids all about what it is like to be a slave and how hard slavery is.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addy's story felt like a recap of the first Addy book, Meet Addy, . Bonnie Bader does give readers context of slavery and the Underground Railroad, with illustrations, photos, and real experiences. She explains what Underground Railroad was and how it wasn't a real railroad. It also contains a glossary, photos of places, timeline of slavery, and map of slave and free states. This would be a good read for anyone who is reading through the American Girl series, especially the books about Addy.

[Billi-Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It was so jam packed full of information about the Underground Railroad, but written in a way that kept my kids captivated and interested. We really enjoyed this read.