Addy's Short Story Collection

American Girl: Short Stories

by Susan McAliley, Dahl Taylor (Illustrator), Gabriela Dellosso (Illustrator)

Five short stories starring the African American girl Addy are followed by brief actual accounts of what life was like for African Americans after the Civil War ended.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Short Stories, Middle Grade, Historical

229 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of all the short stories from the Addy series - I love the size of this miniature book. It has full-color illustrations throughout and sections that provide historical context relating to the stories.

Addy Studies Freedom - ★★★★☆

"Addy stepped backward, shaking her head. She didn't want to believe what the butcher was telling her...[she] bolted out the door..."

The Civil War is over and Poppa is ready to return to the plantation to search for her missing family members...but then tragedy strikes again and President Lincoln is killed. Addy is shocked and horrified by the turn of events, but she and Poppa pay their respects when the funeral procession drives through town.

This was a rather interesting companion book - the author does a great job of showing Addy as she processes these political upheavals as well as various perspectives of citizens as they reacted to the death. It does get very intense, as moments of high tension and heartbreak often are, but things end up working out for Addy.

Addy's Wedding Quilt - ★★★★★

"...that quilt should be a secret. After all, your parents aren't married."

Addy's parents are getting married (again) but this time in a church. She's so excited and spends every spare moment working on their present - a wedding quilt made of fabric scraps from all her family members...but then snobby Harriet ruins the moment with her comments. Did jumping over the broom count for her parent's marriage?

This was a rougher one to read. It didn't make me cry like some of these books but it did deal with some rather heavy material and harsh realities that Addy (and many other families) faced. Addy's confusion, worry, and ultimate joy were really well written. I was so excited for the wedding (and the wedding quilt) that my heart sang along with Addy when it finally happened.

Addy's Little Brother - ★★★☆☆

"Sam you promised. A sociable ain't a sociable if you by yourself."

Now that Sam is home, Addy wants to spend as much time as possible with her brother but suddenly Sam seems like he wants to spend more time with Daniel (Addy's friend's cousin) instead of her! Addy must make a big decision regarding her brother - does she keep him for herself? or should she share him with someone else?

At it's core, this story focuses on how Sam is taking a brotherly role towards Daniel and Addy feels a little jealous about the change in the family dynamics. This story definitely had good bits but for the most part, this felt weaker compared to a lot of the other books in this series. One of those "if they just communicated then the plot would have resolved" sort of stories.

High Hopes for Addy - ★★★★☆

"What cost?" asked Addy. "Miss Dunn didn't say nothing about any cost."
"Oh, it does. Ten dollars a year."

Addy gets news, wondrous and fantastic news from her teacher. She's been recommended to attend I.C.Y. - a school that trains young teachers...but the reality of the cost of such an education is quite sobering. But maybe her family can help, if she's able to reach out to them and ask.

This story starts with a metaphor about building a kite. The pieces don't fly on their own. But once they're assembled, they can soar. That metaphor comes around in this story when Addy initially thinks she needs to deal with the cost of her education on her own. It's only when she opens to her family that she's able to work through the problems.

Addy's Summer Place - ★★★☆☆

"I couldn't have y'all come here looking this fine and not give y'all a taste of the good life. We going to the Banneker House for ice cream."

Poppa spent the whole summer building fancy hotels for on Cape Island and has invited Momma, Esther and her up to visit. She's so excited to be on a vacation and the whole evening is just perfect...until she runs into a cruel racist girl around her age. Why do the really good times always get paired with the bad?

I'm feeling rather mixed on this one. I've loved much of the Addy series and have praised the author again and again for not shying away from the realities of Addy's world...and yet...this feels cruel to the characters and a bit of a low note to end the series on. I'm not saying it isn't accurate...but the author chose to give Addy such a wonderful vacation and to also put the racist family in to spoil it for her.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really such a shame these short story collections were available for such a relatively short time, because this is just a lovely edition - even when, as mine is, the outside is covered in ex-library stickers. The size and shape are just so satisfying to hold in your hand, the illustrations are lovely, there's even a little ribbon bookmark. Just, A+ production.

And the material inside is just as good. Addy's short stories - all written by original Addy author Connie Rose Porter - are lovely vignettes into her life outside the core series. By nature of the project, Addy's stories have to tackle a lot of tough moments in U.S. history, but she's a case where AG really rose to the challenge.

Notes on the stories:
Addy Studies Freedom
Addy's Wedding Quilt
Addy's Little Brother
High Hopes for Addy
Addy's Summer Place

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Addy’s short stories are full of history and life lessons. I learned quite a bit between Addy’s life and the “Looking Back” sections at the end of each story. “Addy’s Wedding Quilt” and “High Hopes for Addy” are the stories that I felt most connected to Addy.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I remember liking the Addy short stories more than some of the others, but I didn't remember just how expertly crafted they are. Then again, I appreciate this far more as an adult, since I now have experience with writing and know more about history. It amazes me to see how well Connie Porter wove history and life lessons into these stories, and even though they are very brief, they each convey a strong character arc and powerful messages.

I don't want to spoil any of the stories, but my favorite is "Addy's Wedding Quilt." It is a beautiful testimony to resilience, family, and the meaning of marriage, and was my introduction as a child to the concept of "jumping the broom." This story is even better than I had recalled through the lens of childhood nostalgia, and "High Hopes for Addy," which I had only vague remembered as a school story, was incredibly powerful and left me choked up at the end.

I highly recommend this book, or the individually published short stories, to anyone who is interested in American Girl, Black history, or historical fiction in general. These are phenomenal, and the beautiful illustrations and detailed historical notes elevate this book to another plane entirely. This is everything that I love about American Girl, and I am so grateful that I was able to buy a nice, reasonably priced copy of this rare, out-of-print book.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contained 2 stories that I already read. Very nice book with a short history lesson after each story.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories about Addy! Some stories were ok and others were great. Reviewed each one on their own listings 🙂

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read: So far, all of these short story collections are better when read with the Central Series, and this one is no exception. The stories are largely fairly serious, with Addy encountering racism, jealousy, and poverty. The two best stories are the first: Addy Studies Freedom is an emotional look at the reactions to Lincoln's murder, and Addy's Wedding Quilt shows Addy's parents getting legally married for the first time. This collection also advances the story of Addy's family, and I actually feel like I know what her future will hold, which is not exactly the case with Felicity, Kirsten, or Josefina.

[Kaylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a Christmas gift when I was younger. It was such a sweet read about friendship, love and endurance. I loved it and have kept it for my little girls to read.

[Amanda Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a really lovely set of Addy stories. Each story builds on the Addy character, unlike other AG short stories - which often take place in the middle of the central series.

[Tami Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this to teach the Civil War and slavery with the box set. So helpful.