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Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story (American Girl: Addy #2) by Connie Rose Porter

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: After a harrowing journey to freedom in book one, Addy and her mother arrive on the docks of Philadelphia with just the clothes on their back. Yet they are greeted by an established network of others like them who help them locate shelter, a job, and get Addy enrolled in school for the first time in her life. 

This was such an inspiring story but also felt so sad to me! The sense of uncertainty and fear that Addy and most especially her mother face starting off alone and with little resources is overwhelming. Addy's other is lucky to find a sewing job that comes with a tiny room for her and her daughter. And Addy is lucky to get to go to school and learn to read for the first time in her life! In the evenings, she teaches her mother what she learned at school each day. Yet they have no news about their family members left behind. Addy literally has the one dress that was given to her when she arrived that she must wear every day. 

In addition to the moving details of Addy's life that she is slowly building after running from slavery, this book presents a very relatable and important lesson about true friendship. Early on, Addy and her mother are offered help and kindness by young Sarah Moore and her mother. Sarah quickly becomes good friends with Addy and helps her navigate attending school for the first time. Yet Addy is fascinated by a wealthy, bratty student who seems to have the life that Addy always dreamed of. Despite clearly not being a true friend, Addy still pursues her friendship at the expense of time with Sarah but comes to regret this choice. 

Another great installment in this series. I enjoyed rereading these as an adult with my daughters. This time around, I sympathized much more with Addy's mother and wish I had some insight into her thoughts and feelings on life changes that must have felt deeply overwhelming and terrifying. Addy's mother was so brave to leave behind everything she knew and almost everyone she loved to start over with empty hands. 

Stars: 4

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