Addy Learns a Lesson

 is the first book in the Addy series. It is included with Addy when she is purchased and can be purchased separately.

Facts

 * Author: Connie Porter
 * Illustrators: Melodye Rosales, Dahl Taylor
 * First Published: 1994
 * Setting: Late Summer/Fall 1864

Previous

 * Addy Walker
 * Ruth Walker

Introduced

 * Sarah Moore
 * Harriet Davis
 * Miss Dunn
 * Mrs. Ford
 * Mrs. Moore

Quick Summary
Addy and her mother arrive in Philadelphia and are aided by Mrs. Moore and her daughter, Sarah. They help Addy and her mother find a place to live and Addy's Mother begins work for Mrs. Ford. Addy begins at the Sixth Street School; she is introduced to Harriet, who has the kind of life Addy hoped to have in freedom. Addy waffles between who she would rather be friends with--Sarah, or the well off and pretty Harriet. She eventually learns that Harriet is not as kind as she looks and makes up with Sarah; the same day, she wins a spelling bee in class.

Chapter One: A New Home
Addy and Momma arrive in Philadelpia. They meet Mrs. Moore and Sarah. Mrs. Moore gets Momma a job working for Mrs. Ford. and her mother move into the garret above Mrs. Ford's shop.

Chapter Two: Freedom?
Addy is disappointed to find that freedom is not what she thought it would be. She starts school with Sarah and meets Mrs. Dunn, who teaches her to write her name.

Chapter Three: Tested
Addy is moved to sit with Harriet, who has fancy dresses and the life Addy though she'd have. Addy is enamoured with her. Sarah attempts to warn Addy away from becoming Harriet's friend, citing that she is not a nice person.

Addy come home from school one day to find Momma crying; Mrs. Ford has sent her to deliver packages, and she can't read the addresses. Addy gets Sarah to help her deliver the packages. Addy offers to teach her mother to learn to read.

Harriet offers Addy to walk home with her group of friends one day after school.

Chapter Four: The Lines Are Drawn
Addy practices more reading with Momma and they dwell on their family members that aren't present: Sam, Esther, and Poppa.

At school, Miss Dunn discusses the Civil War. Harriet brags about her mother aiding the soldiers. Miss Dunn says they will be going to the Baltimore Depot to send off a troop of colored soldiers. Sarah wishes there was no war, and Harriet says that the war is to free the slaves, like Sarah once was (also bragging that her family has always been free). Miss Dunn quells the students and reprimands Harriet.

Addy chooses to walk home with Harriet instead of Sarah on the way to the depot. Addy misses Sam as she watches the soldiers march, and Harriet says her uncle is serving as a soldier.

On the way home, Harriet nad her friends make Addy carry their books, saying she must first be their flunky before they can be true friends. Addy asks her mother if she may go over Harriet's house, and her mother says only if she takes Sarah. Addy is uncomfortable that she left Sarah to walk with Harriet, and that she feels she can't bring Sarah to Harriet's house.

Chapter Five: The Spelling Match
Addy says she can come over Harriet's house. Harriet is very cool towards her, and once again Addy is made to carry home her things. On the way, Harriet and her friends talk about Sarah meanly. Addy is very uncomfortable at this and tries to stand up for Sarah but is overtalked by Harriet. They make it to the dress shop and Addy is told she can't come over to Harriet's. Addy feels very upset and foolish that she let Harriet make her into a slave for her.

Addy wakes up to find a lovely new outfit, a white blouse, wool skirt, and matching jacket. Addy's mother made them for her out of leftover fabric from the shop. Addy loves the outfit, but still feels bad about her actions towards Sarah. Sarah, Addy, and Hariet make it through the first round. During the spelling bee, Harriet tells Addy that she might be able to come over for ice cream when Harriet wins. On the next round, Sarah misspells "account." Addy almost mispells a word to sit down with Sarah but when Harriet calls Sarah dumb, Addy spells her word right to show Harriet. By the fifth round, Addy and Harriet are left. The word given is "principle" and Harriet mispells it. Addy spells the word right and wins, getting a reward of a medal that is pinned on her jacket.

During lunch, some of Harriets friend's congratulate Addy and compliment her on her new outfit, to Harriet's annoyance. Addy shuffles around in her desk until Miss Dunn catches her and speaks to her. Addy feels she can't make it up with Sarah, and Miss Dunn says that Addy will have to act instead of hiding. Addy goes out to lunch and apologizes to Sarah for how she's acted, and she and Addy practice spelling.

Looking Back
Discusses education in the 1860s; mentions how slaves were not allowed to learn to read and write and how many learned and taught in the free north.