Background Information
It is interesting that I have been able to find an abundance of material on The American Girl Series in general and the Addy books in particular, but I have been able to find very little information on the Addy author, Connie Rose Porter. I do know that she come from a large family. She had four brothers and four sisters and she became serious about writing when she was in high school. A small amount of additional information should explain why Ms. Porter shrinks in importance when compared to the series.
At this point there are five American Girl characters each starring in six different stories. Admirers may purchase a doll and assorted accessories for each. Along with that, you may order a cookbook, a craft book, a craft kit, a theater kit, and a paper doll kit to go with your favorite character. You may visit a variety of web sites and join a number of clubs. There are magazines, newsletters, and connections to other books and related material which you also may purchase at the going price......and I'm sure there is more. No wonder we hardly notice Connie Porter.
The commercial value of the American Girl Series cannot be ignored. Children are well aware of a multitude of products which have been spawned by popular movies and television shows. Most own at least a few. The implications of the advertising which brings about sales and the resulting pressure this puts on families will provide a worthy discussion.
My negative comments on the commercialization of the American Girl Series will not stop me from finding value in it and using the Addy books as part of my unit. Addy is the one African American girl in the series. Depending on my class's reading ability, I have found that third graders, especially, but not exclusively, girls, adore them. It is the only series I have seen African American students at this level read independently. They have an initial interest in the "Goosebumps" but seldom follow-through with the actual reading. Though I am sure that the doll and related products add a certain allure, the children genuinely enjoy the books.
Appropriate Texts and Related Activities
Addy, as is the case with the other girls, lives during a specific period in American history. Addy's time begins during the Civil War as a slave and continues to the time of freedom after the War when her family has been reunited and is living in Philadelphia. The events of the stories relate accurately to the experiences history tell us occurred during these time periods. In Meet Addy--Escape from Slavery, we follow Addy and her mother on the road to freedom. Poppa and her brother have been sold to another plantation and Addy's baby sister along with other relatives have to be left behind. Many opportunities for pupils to make predictions and voice opinions are available as the story moves along. Later books, listed in my bibliography, develop themes of racism and prejudice, personal conflict and resolution, and feelings and other situations to which third graders can relate. These will be discussed and related to other stories we read. Though the Logan children and their family from Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry lived on a farm during the depression, they will be contrasted with Addy and her family and friends.
Finally, I plan to have pupils make their own simplified version of an Addy doll, without the adorable face and impeccable wardrobe. We will use a plain gingerbread pattern for the body which will be sewn together with a simple stitch. Students will be given some choice in creating Addy's features, hair, and wardrobe. Children who have a reluctance to make a doll will be convinced to give it to a deserving relative or friend. We will discuss the relative merits of their dolls and the commercially manufactured ones. At the very least, theirs will be less expensive.