Again, Josefina!

Short story collection published in 2006; author Valerie Tripp; illustrators Jean-Paul Tibbles, Renee Graef, Susan McAliley, and Phillip Hood

Plot

One evening as the family is listening to Tia Dolores play the piano, Josefina asks to learn to play it herself. Tia Dolores says if it's okay with Josefina's father, it's okay with her. Josefina's father says she can if she's still able to fulfill her responsibilities (household chores and watching her little nephew Antonio) and if she commits to learning the skill well, so she won't waste her aunt's time. The same offer is made to her sisters, but only Josefina wants to learn to play piano.

Although Josefina was prepared by her father about how long it might take to master the piano, her first lesson is still discouraging. Her aunt keeps prodding her to repeat things until they're perfect ("Again, Josefina."). The lesson seems to last forever, and she only plays ten notes, not any music. Still, she agrees to practice between lessons, hopeful that soon she'll get to play actual music. But it's difficult to find time, especially since Antonio seems to be giving up his naps. She's hardly making any progress, and Clara and Francisca tease her. She decides to give up, and asks her father for permission. He refuses, telling instead to practice more because she can't let a little frustration stop her desire to learn.

So Josefina has to be creative. She practices finger movements while she prepares food, and works on her posture during chores. She makes some improvements and her aunt teaches her a simple song. But it's not simple enough for the novice student, and Josefina is embarrassed when she can't play it well. Her oldest sister offers her some encouragement, telling her that she's seen how Josefina is working her practice into her chores...and that needs Josefina to watch Antonio. Ana suggests playing the piano to see if the toddler likes it.

And he does! He doesn't mind Josefina's mistakes, and his clumsy dancing encourages Josefina to overcome her embarrassment (and his shouts of "Again, Josefina!"). His determination to dance despite only just learning to walk also inspires Josefina. After just that afternoon, Josefina has the confidence to learn piano. She knows she won't be perfect right away, but she also knows she doesn't have to be.

Looking Back

In the harsh life of the high desert, the people who lived there needed moments to escape. Obviously there was no television or radio or internet, and books were rare even among the few literate people. Music became the popular option, and people held dance parties every chance they could. Most instruments were simple; something like the piano that Tia Dolores had was rare. Songs were used to teach as well as entertain: many songs helped children memorize historical facts or taught about religious values.

Misc

Tia Dolores is teaching her nieces to read and write.

Just Josefina

Short story collection published in 2006; author Valerie Tripp; illustrators Jean-Paul Tibbles, Renee Graef, Susan McAliley, and Phillip Hood

Plot

The day is finally here: Tia Dolores is moving in! Josefina's grandparents come with her for a visit, too. One of the first things Tia Dolores does is unpack her trunk. But Josefina can't stay to see the wonders her aunt is unveiling. Every time her grandmother visits, Josefina helps her settle in, because she's best at it. Josefina is proud of how she can help her grandmother, especially when her grandmother says Josefina has the same patient and caring spirit as her mother. But the task takes so long that Josefina starts feeling jealous of her sisters, who she can hear having a good time. Josefina buries her unpleasant thoughts, determined to be like her late mother. Later she's able to join in the fun, even learning a new dance that Tia Dolores picked up in Mexico City.

 

A few days later, Josefina's grandmother gives her a beautiful skirt, which had been her mother's. Her reasoning is that Josefina is so much like her mother, so quiet and obedient, unlike Tia Dolores. Josefina puts the skirt on, but it's so tight she can hardly move for fear of snapping off the buttons. But she wants to please her grandmother, and it's comforting to be reminded of her mother, so she leaves it on. She also finds herself not acting quite as she normally would, being less playful and exuberant, because when she acts differently her grandmother compares her to her mother. During a party with the neighbors that evening, Tia Dolores plays her piano and asks Josefina to demonstrate the dance she taught her, as Josefina learned it best of the sisters. Josefina's grandmother disapproves, but after listening to the music, Josefina can't help herself. As she whirls around, a button pops and flies off the skirt, landing right at her grandmother's feet. Her grandmother leaves the room and doesn't speak to Josefina for the rest of the night.

 

The next morning, Josefina places the skirt outside the door to her grandmother's room. As she's leaving, her grandmother opens the door and asks Josefina in. Josefina explains that she meant no disrespect, but she's her own person, not a copy of her mother. Josefina's grandmother agrees, and apologizes for trying to make Josefina into someone else when she's already a lovely person on her own. She gives the button and the skirt to Josefina, advising her to sew the button back on but in a different place, so the skirt will fit looser for dancing.

Looking Back

Women in 1824 New Mexico--then a part of the country of Mexico--enjoyed many freedoms compared to their American counterparts. They could own land and operate businesses even after becoming married, and when they married they followed the Spanish tradition of keeping their original last names. Their clothing was looser and lighter, too, which made sense in the hot desert and surrounding areas. They could make our their own wills separate from their husbands' wills if they wanted to, dictating where the property they brought into a marriage would go. Most of the women who worked did so in trades that were traditionally "women's work" like being healers and midwives, but they had other options too.

Misc

The title of this story bugs me. Because the J in Josefina is pronounced like an H, the alliteration of "Just Josefina" doesn't work.

Meet Josefina

Published in 1997; author Valerie Tripp; illustrators Jean-Paul Tibbles and Susan McAliley

Plot

Josefina Montoya is the youngest of four girls, growing up near Santa Fe in 1824. Her oldest sister, Ana, is married and has two boys; Francisca is fifteen, and Clara is twelve. The three younger girls live with their father on his large rancho. Their mother passed away about a year ago. Since then, Ana has been helping out more, and everyone has pitched in, but the family feels the loss bitterly. It's a welcome distraction when their maternal grandfather's caravan returns from Mexico City with their maternal aunt, who is moving to Santa Fe.

Josefina notices that her aunt, Tia Dolores, is a wonderful influence on the family. Her middle sisters don't fight as much, her father is happier, and no one seems as overwhelmed. Even Josefina overcomes her anxiety around their goats, albeit because the meanest goat eats the bouquet Josefina made for Tia Dolores and tramples the flowers her late mother planted with seeds from Tia Dolores. Josefina is dismayed, thinking the flowers are dead. But Tia Dolores inspects them, and sees that they're just eaten at. The flowers will grow back in the spring.

Seeing how much more smoothly her family operates with Tia Dolores around gives Josefina an idea: her aunt should move in with them. That way she can have a place to stay, and help the family with so many things. Her sisters agree, but of course they have to get their father and their aunt on board with the idea first. Tia Dolores has brought so many wonderful things with her--seeds and sewing patterns and fabric and brightly dyed wool for weaving for the girls and her piano--and Josefina and her sisters would love to learn more about these things with her. The four girls bring up the idea to their father, who agrees to ask Tia Dolores about it.

But the next day, Josefina sees her aunt packing things into her grandfather's wagon. Her aunt is leaving for Santa Fe--closer than Mexico City, but still far away. As she goes back into the house, Josefina spies something large in the corner: her aunt's piano! Josefina goes back out to her aunt, and confirms what she suspects: Tia Dolores is going to Santa Fe for a visit, to see her mother whom she hasn't seen for ten years. Then she's moving in with Josefina's family!

Looking Back

When Josefina was growing up, much of the American Southwest belonged to Mexico. It had been settled by Spanish immigrants, so the non-indigenous people had many cultural similarities with the European country, like speaking Spanish and practicing Catholicism. By Josefina's time, the Spanish immigrants' descendants got along well with the Pueblo tribe, but others such as the Comanche, Apache, Navajo, and Ute tribes posed a threat. Families who lived outside large cities--like Josefina's--lived on large fortified ranchos, and women and children were discouraged from wandering too far away on their own. But they still had lots of contact with people outside their often-large extended families. For example, in the early 1800s, the United States established trade routes with Mexico, and many families sold or traded their crafts, crops, and livestock. After the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the southern border of the United States was close to what we see today. The Gadsden Purchase of the 1850s transformed the final little sliver of the American Southwest into US soil. The $10 million strip of land ($260 million today) completed the contiguous US (Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867; Hawaii was annexed in 1898; Puerto Rico was ceded 1898; the US Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917).

Misc

This book is dedicated to "my husband, Michael, and my daughter, Katherine, with love."

Since it's a Spanish name, it's pronounced "ho-seh-FEE-nah."Also, "tia" is Spanish for "aunt."

Compared to the previous American Girls, Josefina is shy and reserved.

Josefina's family is wealthy enough to have servants.

Addy: An American Girl Story

Addy's story was adapted into a stage play that was performed in Seattle in 2008. I wish I'd known about it; I could have seen it! I lived in Seattle during its run. It sounds like it was very well-done. Here are links to reviews about the play:

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/On-Stage-Addy-s-history-lesson-tugs-at-the-1234382.php

Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.com/html/theaterarts/2003673046_addy20.html

Shadows on Society Hill

Published in 2007; author Evelyn Coleman; illustrators Susan McAliley and Jean-Paul Tibbles

Plot

The book wastes no time getting into the action: on the first page, Addy shoves a man out of the path of a galloping horse, saving him from injury. He offers her ten dollars as a reward, enough to pay for a full year's tuition of schooling for Addy. But she politely refuses, saying she was only doing the right thing. The man, Mr. Radisson,  is undeterred, and offers her father, who has now joined them, a job with his construction company, starting with renovating the house Mr. Radisson just inherited from his late uncle. The Walker family can even live in the smaller house on the property. Things are looking pretty good for the Walker family...except that they're massively out of place in the well-to-do area. While they're moving, a police officer even stops them, accusing them of stealing the belongings they're carrying.

Addy and Sam talk about the incident later that evening. Sam points out that there are a lot of good things to focus on, like the job and the house--the first time the family has ever really had a house. He gives Addy a necklace that holds a protection stone. He's had it since he saved a boy from drowning years ago. Uncle Solomon gave it to him. Sam figures Addy deserves it now, and he says it will protect her from any danger or worry. Addy's especially happy to have the protection stone late that night, when she thinks she sees a ghost in the mansion. Could it be the deceased uncle?

There's not much time to worry about a ghost. Soon Mr. Radisson's mother arrives from Virginia, making no effort to conceal her distaste for "coloreds." Mr. Radisson cuts her off, but she's made quite the first impression. Later on, Mr. Radisson admires a dress that Mrs. Walker sewed for Addy...and hires her to alter the wedding dress his fiancee will wear at his upcoming wedding (she's using his mother's dress)! His fiancee, Miss Elizabeth, is a wonderfully kind woman, providing a nice contrast to Mrs. Radisson. She even gives Addy one of her couture dresses and invites her to a concert. Meanwhile, Mrs. Radisson has noticed food disappearing. She's convinced that "coloreds" are behind the thefts. Some of the food was in a basket that Addy discovers has a false bottom and inside the hidden compartment is a paper with strange markings on it.

Determined to find out what's happening, Addy stakes out the area. She sees an older woman scurrying about the property and follows her to a tool shed, where she sees the woman write a note in lemon juice. Addy doesn't get the courage to enter the shed until after the woman's left, but when she does, she sees that note is addressed to her! She eventually figures out that by holding the note near a flame, she can read the lemon juice message. The woman is asking for help, and terrified about something. Addy follows the note's instructions and meets with the woman, Miss Tucker, who turns out to have been a Union spy during the Civil War, and is now in hiding because Confederate sympathizers (like Mrs. Radisson) might want to do her harm. The deceased uncle kept her secret, but then he died suddenly and the woman doesn't know who she can trust. She's been sneaking around during the night, unwittingly playing the part of Addy's ghost. But with Mrs. Radisson around, Miss Tucker can't safely leave her hiding place. Addy agrees to bring her food when she can.

Then things take a turn for the worse. Miss Elizabeth sees the necklace from Uncle Solomon, and all of a sudden she can't stand the Walker family. She accuses Addy of stealing not only the food that Addy now knows Miss Tucker took, but an expensive necklace. Addy denies the rumors, but when the necklace surfaces in an area Addy was, Mr. Radisson tells the Walkers they have to move out in a week. Mr. Walker will have to find a new job as well as a new house, which will doubt be in poorer condition than where they are now. And Esther is ill, so a drafty apartment will be especially hard on her.

Addy's sure that she can find out why Miss Elizabeth suddenly hates her family if she looks in her room. She intends to be in and out in a flash, but gets distracted by a quilt that's almost identical to one Auntie Lula made AND a protection stone with Uncle Solomon's mark. Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Radisson find Addy and order the Walkers out. Just then Esther's illness ramps up with frightening speed. She appears to be dying, and very quickly. Addy quickly gets Miss Tucker, and Miss Elizabeth puts aside whatever grudge she has and the two women bring Esther back from the brink. As things calm down, Addy realizes the problem: Miss Elizabeth was trying to get rid of the Walkers because she knew Uncle Solomon. She must have been part of a slave-owning family, and was trying to hide that from Mr. Radisson, who, as an abolitionist, would never want to marry her.

But it's more than that: Miss Elizabeth is actually a former slave, passing for white. She's Uncle Solomon's niece. With everything out in the open, Mr. Walker can keep his job and the family can keep their house. Miss Tucker will also be allowed to stay until her safety is secured. Whether Mr. Radisson and Miss Elizabeth will marry remains to be seen; they need to get to know each other for real first.

Looking Back

The historical sections gives an overview of the civil rights struggles that former slaves and their descendants faced for over a century, from the Abolitionist movement before the Civil War to Martin Luther King Jr and beyond.

Misc

This book is dedicated to "to my daughter Latrayan (Sankofa) Mueed, who pushed me through this process. [And] to Peg Ross, you are the editor authors dream would appear. How happy I am you're in my life."

This book takes place in the winter of 1866.

The cost of Addy's education at the Institute for Colored Youth is consistent. 

Addy's Summer Place

Short story collection published in 2006; author Connie Porter; illustrator Gabriela Dellosso, Renee Graef, Susan McAliley, Dahl Taylor, John Thompson, and Jane Varda

Plot

Mr. Walker has been away, working for a railroad company, and the company gives him passes for his family to visit him at Cape Island for the Fourth of July holiday. The train ride is exhilarating, and Addy is happy to see her father again. They have fun with some leisure time, enjoying ice cream at Banneker's (the only place that will serve black people), and a walk in the woods, where Mr. Walker notes that someone's been stealing from his traps. Addy takes Esther to play in a nearby creek, and a young white boy makes conversation with them--until his older sister reprimands him severely for talking to "those people" and yells at Addy to learn her place. Addy is angry with the girl, and secretly wishes her ill will. But the very next day, Addy spies the girl stealing a rabbit from her father's trap. She chases the girl, who drops the rabbit and escapes from Addy. Addy follows, and finds where the girl lives, in a rundown shack with at least one abusive parent and another child (a baby). The family, though white, is far worse off than Addy's, who at least have some money and their love for each other. Addy surreptitiously places the rabbit where the girl will see it, and leaves, pondering their disparate circumstances.

Later that day, Addy, Esther, and Mrs. Walker go wading in the ocean. Addy is grateful for her family, and for the ocean, which is big enough for everyone to enjoy, regardless of their race, income, or social class.

Looking Back

When Addy traveled to Cape Island, she was faced with segregation the whole way. Even waiting for the train: African-Americans had to stand on a different part of the platform, separated from the whites-only waiting room. Certain cars on the train were also whites-only, and in 1866, only one hotel in Cape Island allowed black people to stay in it. Many businesses were also whites-only. Eventually, vacationing African-Americans built their own places to stay in or be entertained. As more freed black people earned and saved more money and segregation laws lessened, more were able to get away for a while and enjoy vacations.

Misc

My short story collection once belonged to an Amanda C., who signed her name on August 29, 2006.

Sam's not on vacation with the rest of the family, but it's not specified why. Probably he couldn't get time off work.

High Hopes for Addy

Short story collection published in 2006; author Connie Porter; illustrator Gabriela Dellosso, Renee Graef, Susan McAliley, Dahl Taylor, John Thompson, and Jane Varda

Plot

Things are changing quickly for the Walker family. With the three adults working and Addy collecting tips delivering dresses, they have enough money to move from the boarding house to an apartment. Though she'll miss being just upstairs from the boarding house residents, Addy's excited for the breathing room the apartment will allow. Esther looks up to her big sister, and often gets into Addy's things in hopes of imitating her, sometimes damaging them. Addy's looking forward to doing her school in peace, especially when Miss Dunn reveals that she's recommending Addy and Harriet to the Institute for Colored Youth, where Addy can learn to be a teacher. However, when she and Harriet congratulate each other on reaping the fruits of their hard work, Addy learns the school costs ten dollars a year (more than two months' wages for her family), more than her family can afford. She stuffs the letter about it into her school bag, not wanting to let her family know, and tries to not be jealous of Harriet, who truly isn't rubbing anything in--she can't because Addy hasn't revealed she's not going--when she talks about how wonderful the school will be.

So Addy is stunned when her parents announce to the boarding house residents that they're staying until the end of the year, to save money so they can send Addy to ICY. Esther found the letter when she went through Addy's things, and gave it to her parents. They're so proud of their daughter that they think nothing of waiting on the apartment for bit, to give her such an opportunity. Addy hugs her sister, grateful this time for Esther's hero-worship.

Looking Back

The Institute for Colored Youth was the best place for black children to get an education. Students started at eleven, and continued through high school. They learned many things that would help them in their future lives, from teaching to trades. Fanny Jackson Coppin was the principal from 1869 to 1902, an impressive feat for not only a former slave, but also a woman (remember women couldn't vote until about two decades after she retired). In the first year under her leadership, the number of girls enrolled in ICY doubled. Coppin encouraged the students to pass their knowledge on to others, especially by becoming teachers in the South, where slaves found themselves suddenly free but with no education, surrounded by a war-torn region steeped in poverty (most of the fighting was in the South). She was an inspiration for countless students.

Misc

My short story collection once belonged to an Amanda C., who signed her name on August 29, 2006. I'd been married for almost two weeks at that point.

"If one wants to learn a thing, teach it to another." I love that sentiment from Coppin.

There's a subplot about kite flying, where Addy tries not to be jealous of Harriet's store-bought kite compared to the dingy one her father helped her build. Her kite flies better than Harriet's, who graciously congratulates Addy and asks for advice on kite-flying, which Addy just as graciously offers.

Addy's Little Brother

Short story collection published in 2006; author Connie Porter; illustrator Gabriela Dellosso, Renee Graef, Susan McAliley, Dahl Taylor, John Thompson, and Jane Varda

Plot

Sarah Moore's cousin Daniel and his parents are staying with her family. His parents escaped to Canada years ago, where Daniel was born, and now with slavery outlawed, they've returned to the US. Daniel's very quiet, and Addy figures he must be shy. But he really opens up around Sam, who takes the twelve-year-old under his wing. He even gets Daniel a job with him at a commercial stable. Soon he's spending so much time around Daniel the Addy begins to resent Daniel. She thinks that Sam is ditching his sisters in favor of a "brother." She finally confronts Sam about it, and he explains that Daniel had a brother Sam's age who was a Union soldier, but he died in battle and his body was never recovered. Sam isn't hanging out with the brother he never had, he's helping a grieving boy. Addy understands, especially when Sam points out that Addy treats Sarah like a sister but obviously would never want Sarah to replace Sam or Esther. Addy gets to know Daniel and the three quickly start swapping puns, bonding over their love of bad jokes.

Looking Back

In free states, churches quickly became the place for all sorts of religious and secular social gatherings for African-Americans. The services tended to be lively, full of uptempo worship songs and fiery sermons. Churches hosted socials, quilting bees, friendly competitions, political rallies, debates, recitals, and raised money to help newly-freed slaves before, during, and after the Civil War. Church members could belong to many charitable and social organizations, strengthening ties to their communities.

Misc

My short story collection once belonged to an Amanda C., who signed her name on August 29, 2006.