Connie Rose Porter

Nine-year-old Addy Walker escapes from a cruel life of slavery to freedom during the Civil War.

Addy Walker's family is planning a dangerous escape from slavery during the summer of 1864. But before they can leave, the most terrible thing Addy can imagine happens--her Poppa and her brother, Sam, are sold! Addy and her Momma decide they must head out on their own. Although the road to freedom is difficult, Addy's new life brings new friends, school, and even the opportunity to help others. But when will her family be reunited?

In 1866, eleven-year-old Addy and her family gather in Cape Island, later known as Cape May, New Jersey, where she encounters an impoverished white girl who treats her badly.

After her brother joins the family in Philadelphia at the end of the Civil War, Addy wants to be with him as much as possible, so she is jealous when he starts spending time with her friend's cousin. Includes information about the life of African Americans in Philadelphia in the 1860s and a recipe for letter cookies.

Addy and Harriet feud over everything, including fund-raising plans to help the families of freed slaves, but tragedy finally forces them to stop fighting and work together.

Addy's jubilation over her family's new freedoms is cut short by the news that President Lincoln has been shot and killed.

Though her parents "jumped the broom" to get married when they were slaves, now that they are living free in Philadelphia after the Civil War they plan to have a church wedding and Addy works to complete a special quilt to give them as a wedding gift.