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Revision as of 02:44, 1 January 2012
The fourth cover of Addy Learns a Lesson
Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story is the second book in the Addy series.
Facts
- Author: Connie Porter
- Illustrators: Melodye Rosales, Dahl Taylor
- First Published: 1994
- Setting: Late Summer/Fall 1864
Characters
Previous
Introduced
Chapter by Chapter Summary
Chapter One: A New Home
It is a hot summer day at the end of August when Addy and Momma arrive in Philadelphia. To Addy, it seems like everyone living in Philadelphia is on the pier today. She never saw so many people in her life. When she sees a small girl being swept up in her father's arms Addy says that she wishes her father and Sam were here. Her mother tells her that they are by themselves. Addy says that she knows but: "Wouldn't it be something if we was to turn around and they was here, just like magic?" Addy's mother admits that she wishes they were there as well.
Addy asks if they should wait somewhere else. Her mother says that the captain told them to wait here so somebody would come for them. Addy suggests that they ask someone what the signs say, but her mother waves that suggestion off. Since they are in the big city now, she thinks that they can't trust strangers.
They meet Mrs. Moore and Sarah. Mrs. Moore gets Momma a job working for Mrs. Ford. Addy 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 enamored 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 and her friends make Addy carry their books, saying she must first be their servant 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 Harriet 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 misspells 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 misspells it "prinsiple". Addy spells the word right and wins, getting a reward of a medal that is pinned on her jacket.
During lunch, some of Harriet's friends 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: School in 1864
Discusses the education of African Americans during the Civil War. Topics include:
- Why it was difficult for African Americans to get an education, and how many Blacks learned how to read and write.
- Why many Whites didn't want Blacks to learn how to read and write, and the punishment for teaching Blacks.
- How Black children learned how to read and write, including taking private lessons at night and being taught by their masters.
- The segregration of schools in the 1860s, and the condition of Black schools.
- The length of the school year, and what students learned in school.
- Philadelphia's Institute for Colored Youth, which was America's first high school for African Americans.
- The creation of freedman schools, and why they were so successful.
Items associated with Addy Learns a Lesson
Book Covers
Book Cover from 1998-2005