Memorial Day roots were grown in the aftermath of the Civil War, in the late 1860’s. As the war claimed more lives than any other conflict in American history, it was necessary to establish national cemeteries. Many communities began honoring our fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers on May 30. Decoration Day grew into Memorial Day, celebrated on the fourth Monday of May.
In recognition of this history, I thought it appropriate to share a handful of titles about the Civil War for middle-grade readers.
Bull Run written by Paul Fleischman
Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children’s Book
In this brilliant fictional tour de force, which the New York Times called “a deft, poignant novel,” Newbery Medal-winning author Paul Fleischman re-creates the first great battle of the Civil War from the points of view of sixteen participants.
Northern and Southern, male and female, white and black.
Here are voices that tell of the dreams of glory, the grim reality, the hopes, horror, and folly of a nation discovering the true nature of war.
A Soldier’s Heart written by Gary Paulsen
In June 1861, when the Civil War began, Charley Goddard enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteers. He was 15. He didn’t know what a “shooting war” meant or what he was fighting for. But he didn’t want to miss out on a great adventure.
The “shooting war” turned out to be the horror of combat and the wild luck of survival; how it feels to cross a field toward the enemy, waiting for fire. When he entered the service he was a boy. When he came back he was different; he was only 19, but he was a man with “soldier’s heart,” later known as “battle fatigue.”
Shades of Gray written by Carolyn Reeder
In the aftermath of the Civil War, recently orphaned Will must start a new life and overcome his prejudices.
Courage wears many faces…
The Civil War may be over, but for twelve-year-old Will Page, the pain and bitterness haven’t ended. How could they have, when the Yankees were responsible for the deaths of everyone in his entire immediate family?
And now Will has to leave his comfortable home in the Shenandoah Valley and live with relatives he has never met, people struggling to eke out a living on their farm in the war-torn Virginia Piedmont. But the worst of it is that Will’s uncle Jed had refused to fight for the Confederacy.
At first, Will regards his uncle as a traitor–or at least a coward.
But as they work side by side, Will begins to respect the man.
And when he sees his uncle stand up for what he believes in, Will realizes that he must rethink his definition of honor and courage.
Last in a Long Line of Rebels written by Lisa Lewis Tyre
Sheila Turnage meets Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie in this debut about a small town and a young girl who discovers some old family secrets.
Lou might be only twelve, but she’s never been one to take things sitting down. So when her Civil War-era house is about to be condemned, she’s determined to save it—either by getting it deemed a historic landmark or by finding the stash of gold rumored to be hidden nearby during the war. As Lou digs into the past, her eyes are opened when she finds that her ancestors ran the gamut of slave owners, renegades, thieves and abolitionists. Meanwhile, some incidents in her town show her that many Civil War era prejudices still survive and that the past can keep repeating itself if we let it. Digging into her past shows Lou that it’s never too late to fight injustice, and she starts to see the real value of understanding and exploring her roots.
The Girls of Gettysburg written by Bobbi Miller
A gripping historical novel in which the fates of three young girls collide amidst the chaos of the American Civil War.Disguised as a boy, thirteen-year-old Annie Gordon becomes a soldier and joins the Portsmouth Rifles of the 9th Virginia Infantry as they march north to Gettysburg.Tillie Pierce, the frivolous fourteen-year-old daughter of a wealthy merchant finds herself surrounded by a vicious battle, destroying her romanticized notion of war.Defiantly, Grace Bryan and her father refuse to flee with the other free black citizens of Gettysburg, who fear the rebels will arrest them as fugitive slaves, determined to help othersEverything comes to a head on the final day of the battle with Pickett’s Charge, the suicidal Confederate assault on Gettysburg, when the lives of the three girls–a Yankee, a rebel and a freed slave–are linked and forever changed.Bobbi Miller’s well-researched novel draws on actual accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg, weaving an unforgettable tale of the tragedies and triumphs, the humanity, heartache, and heroism of this Civil War battle. Told in fast-paced chapters with alternating points of view, The Girls of Gettysburg is a fascinating glimpse at the different worlds that existed, side by side, in this tumultuous moment. Perfect for introducing young readers to the complexities of the Civil War, and the ways in which our experiences shape our lives.
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