jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. A very sweet Christmas story. I absolutely loved it and the ending had me all choked up but for a good reason. Addy's father is back and now they just need to reunite with Sam and Esther and I'm curious to see how that's going to happen. This was lovely and I cannot say it enough but I really do love these books. They feel timeless.
angelafishkin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
I never owned American Girl dolls as a child, but I did receive a few accessories as gifts. Addy's Christmas dress was one of them, and of all the American Girl dresses I could have possibly had, I'm glad it was this one. It's still one of my favorite doll outfits from childhood, and I enjoyed admiring it in these illustrations. However, I didn't remember the circumstances under which Addy received it, and was glad to see that it was realistic in the story despite her and her mother's poverty.
I remembered the joyful ending of this story, when Addy and her mother, but for the most part, I didn't remember anything else about it. I appreciate the story's focus on the importance of church family and of making sacrifices to help others. The historical note in the back provides more information about black churches raising funds to help resettle freed slaves, and also explains what Christmas was like during the Civil War and on plantations.
I remembered the joyful ending of this story, when Addy and her mother
Spoiler
are reunited with her fatherlemonysnicket's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alliewithbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
lottpoet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
piburnjones's review against another edition
5.0
There's always a candy coating to the history in these books, especially the holiday ones. In the end, the girls always get what they want, plus a nice surprise or two as well. This is no different: Addy lucks into a beautiful new dress, Momma makes her a new doll, Mrs. Ford gives them the lamp, AND POPPA SHOWS UP OUTTA NOWHERE. Plus, Addy finds a way to contribute to the freedman's fund AND still give Momma a pretty new scarf for Christmas. Everything she wanted and more. (I guess not everything, but STILL. This is a LOT.)
AND YET. The Walkers spend most of the book with a window that won't quite close and it's snowing. They only have enough coal for cooking. Ruth Walker is sewing by candlelight because they can't afford a lamp. We keenly feel their hardships, and yet we see how much needier the newly arrived freedmen are. This sweet little Christmas story is full of suffering and deprivation.
So I guess where I'm going with this is that if anyone deserves to get everything she wants this Christmas, it's Addy. She's not pestering or petulant or disobeying - the worst she does is to hide a few cents of her tip money, planning to buy the scarf for Momma. And even those coins wind up going to the freedmen's fund.
There's something almost predatory about asking people like Addy and Momma for donations when they have so very little. And yet, without people like the Walkers and the Moores, who would help the newly arrived freedmen?
I think I forgot how much I like Addy, you guys. I really, really like Addy.
AND YET. The Walkers spend most of the book with a window that won't quite close and it's snowing. They only have enough coal for cooking. Ruth Walker is sewing by candlelight because they can't afford a lamp. We keenly feel their hardships, and yet we see how much needier the newly arrived freedmen are. This sweet little Christmas story is full of suffering and deprivation.
So I guess where I'm going with this is that if anyone deserves to get everything she wants this Christmas, it's Addy. She's not pestering or petulant or disobeying - the worst she does is to hide a few cents of her tip money, planning to buy the scarf for Momma. And even those coins wind up going to the freedmen's fund.
There's something almost predatory about asking people like Addy and Momma for donations when they have so very little. And yet, without people like the Walkers and the Moores, who would help the newly arrived freedmen?
I think I forgot how much I like Addy, you guys. I really, really like Addy.
emlickliter's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Addy's Surprise: A Christmas Story by Connie Rose Porter – Addy’s mother helped me see how much of a superhero my own mother is. Happy Holiday Reading!
rachelwilbury's review against another edition
Really really good, I honestly don't want to spoil it, just READ IT.