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the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
Most students learn about the Civil War though the lens of segregation in the South, the Confederate States, and the Union North, which was not segregated, but far from non-racist.
But what about other groups in America at the time, such as Native nations? They'd been lied to by the Union, treaties with them repeatedly broken, and in many cases forced off their land and marched (with deadly results) off their land by representatives of the American government.
None were considered to be U.S. citizens at the time of the Civil War. Why fight for a country that treated them and their relatives so poorly? How did they feel about the Civil War? Whose side -- either side -- offered them anything they could trust?
This book delves into the reasons why the men from three tribes -- Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi -- signed up and fought for Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters. It was the largest all-Native U.S. Army (Union) company east of the Mississippi, although it had a white commander.
It's written in a totally accessible style through the stories of individual men, using their letters, interviews with family members, enlistment papers and more documents to show the many reasons these men fought for the Union.
It's a fascinating non-fiction read that will intrigue students and get them considering the Civil War in ways they hadn't prior to reading.
Teacher's Note: I really wished either the author or publisher offered free lesson plans or an educator's guide for this book. It's a fantastic non-fiction resource for teaching Civil War Common Core standards in Social Studies, but with so few resources to teach it, and knowing how daunting it can be to create resources for a book from scratch, I felt I couldn't recommend it in Teachers.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
But what about other groups in America at the time, such as Native nations? They'd been lied to by the Union, treaties with them repeatedly broken, and in many cases forced off their land and marched (with deadly results) off their land by representatives of the American government.
None were considered to be U.S. citizens at the time of the Civil War. Why fight for a country that treated them and their relatives so poorly? How did they feel about the Civil War? Whose side -- either side -- offered them anything they could trust?
This book delves into the reasons why the men from three tribes -- Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi -- signed up and fought for Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters. It was the largest all-Native U.S. Army (Union) company east of the Mississippi, although it had a white commander.
It's written in a totally accessible style through the stories of individual men, using their letters, interviews with family members, enlistment papers and more documents to show the many reasons these men fought for the Union.
It's a fascinating non-fiction read that will intrigue students and get them considering the Civil War in ways they hadn't prior to reading.
Teacher's Note: I really wished either the author or publisher offered free lesson plans or an educator's guide for this book. It's a fantastic non-fiction resource for teaching Civil War Common Core standards in Social Studies, but with so few resources to teach it, and knowing how daunting it can be to create resources for a book from scratch, I felt I couldn't recommend it in Teachers.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
The author uses archival photos, quotes from the letters and records left by participants, and detailed maps to lay out the recruitment, training, and wartime experiences of Company K, First regiment, Michigan Sharpshooters. Those men were the "largest all-Native company in the Union army east of the Mississippi River." Along with the daring deeds of the members of Company K and the fate of the men (where it is known), the book also addresses the possible reasons why they chose to fight. Perhaps they feared that if the Confederacy won, then all those who were not considered white would be enslaved. Maybe they thought their assistance would cause those of European descent to treat them more fairly. It could have been the warrior tradition of their tribes, or other reasons beyond these.
Descriptions of harrowing battles and the number of comrades wounded or killed, as well as the terrible conditions in the field hospitals are not for the faint of heart. Even worse are the horrifying details of the prisoner of war camps such as Andersonville. The final chapter covers the return home of the survivors, and an epilogue talks about the men who joined the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization. Back matter includes an author's note, roster of all the sharpshooters, a timeline, a description of treaties between the U.S. government and Anishinaabe bands from 1836 - 1855, and a glossary.
This is intended for grades 4 - 7, but it is dense reading for those at the younger end of the grade band unless they are history enthusiasts. Selections from it might be used in social studies lessons about the Civil War, to expand the narrower version of history that is usually covered in class. It has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection, but there are Native American specialists in children's literature who are concerned about biased language within the text and even the title itself. Those concerns should be kept in mind.
Descriptions of harrowing battles and the number of comrades wounded or killed, as well as the terrible conditions in the field hospitals are not for the faint of heart. Even worse are the horrifying details of the prisoner of war camps such as Andersonville. The final chapter covers the return home of the survivors, and an epilogue talks about the men who joined the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization. Back matter includes an author's note, roster of all the sharpshooters, a timeline, a description of treaties between the U.S. government and Anishinaabe bands from 1836 - 1855, and a glossary.
This is intended for grades 4 - 7, but it is dense reading for those at the younger end of the grade band unless they are history enthusiasts. Selections from it might be used in social studies lessons about the Civil War, to expand the narrower version of history that is usually covered in class. It has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection, but there are Native American specialists in children's literature who are concerned about biased language within the text and even the title itself. Those concerns should be kept in mind.
bookbrig's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
There's so much detailed information in this book, it would be an excellent source for any research paper or project. I appreciated how much information we got about each person, but I also felt like this was more on the dry side of YA non-fiction. It's good, but probably not one I'd recommend for pleasure reading the same way I might recommend something like Samurai Rising.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Death
lizraycurf's review against another edition
3.0
It’s not what I was expecting, so I was disappointed. It went into long depth about battles, which was not what I was wanting. But if you know someone that is interested in military tactics, and wants to learn about Indigenous contributions to the Union cause, I would recommend this book.
entropydoc's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.75
This book was recommended reading ahead of a lecture by my local library.
http://akronlibrary.libnet.info/event/5899763
http://akronlibrary.libnet.info/event/5899763
erine's review against another edition
4.0
This is a difficult read. There are a lot of names - many similar to each other and with variable spellings. A lot of battles and dates. A lot of military designations - companies, regiments, and such.
Beyond these basic difficulties, it’s hard to read about the garbage treatment of the Anishinaabe. As per normal, the white folk who needed help with the war took what they could get from the Native tribes of Michigan, while simultaneously demeaning them and then denying benefits afterward. It never seems to change. People in power who find ways to simultaneously belittle a group while blaming them for their own misfortunes just turns the stomach.
Bonus: general horrors of war in the nineteenth century, including vivid descriptions of rampant disease in prison camps. The end really brings home the loss and struggle faced by the veterans and their families, and I could imagine that this would resonate with anyone who had been through a similar experience.
The photographs included were pretty amazing and included a lot of detail. I tend to forget photography was a thing at this time, and the variety and quality of the pictures was pretty great.
I liked the final bit: “The Anishinaabek are a vital part of American history... Remembering their sacrifices and sharing their stories honors the spirits of these courageous men and enriched everyone.”
Beyond these basic difficulties, it’s hard to read about the garbage treatment of the Anishinaabe. As per normal, the white folk who needed help with the war took what they could get from the Native tribes of Michigan, while simultaneously demeaning them and then denying benefits afterward. It never seems to change. People in power who find ways to simultaneously belittle a group while blaming them for their own misfortunes just turns the stomach.
Bonus: general horrors of war in the nineteenth century, including vivid descriptions of rampant disease in prison camps. The end really brings home the loss and struggle faced by the veterans and their families, and I could imagine that this would resonate with anyone who had been through a similar experience.
The photographs included were pretty amazing and included a lot of detail. I tend to forget photography was a thing at this time, and the variety and quality of the pictures was pretty great.
I liked the final bit: “The Anishinaabek are a vital part of American history... Remembering their sacrifices and sharing their stories honors the spirits of these courageous men and enriched everyone.”
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
During the Civil War, First Nation and African-American men who wanted to fight for the North were often rejected because of their race, especially at the start of the war. However, as the war dragged on and Lincoln got more desperate, he was willing to take help wherever he could get it. So, the Michigan regiment of Sharpshooters was formed. Truly, Lincoln should have let these warriors join much sooner. They were brave, loyal, and excellent shots. In short, they made excellent soldiers.
I picked this book up because I'm from Michigan and sadly, I don't know much about the First Nations from my state; we weren't taught about them in school. It was enlightening for sure but also so sad to read about the horrible conditions for all the soldiers but worse for them, especially in the POW camps. It seems to be thoroughly researched and where the author is unsure she uses words like may have or maybe. There was also mention of a training camp in my hometown - but I had never heard of it and a quick internet search revealed nothing. I'll have to get into some databases and do some deeper digging! Well-written, interesting. A perspective that needs more attention given to these brave warriors that fought for the cause.
At the back there is an epilogue giving further detail about some of the key people featured; an author's note; Appendix A = the Anishinaabe soldiers and their age at enlistment; Appendix B = the timeline of Company K; Appendix C = treaties between the US government and the Anishinaabe; Appendix D = the Eagle as the mascot of Company K; Appendix E = a translation of one soldier's letter home; a glossary; a select bibliography; source notes; index.
I picked this book up because I'm from Michigan and sadly, I don't know much about the First Nations from my state; we weren't taught about them in school. It was enlightening for sure but also so sad to read about the horrible conditions for all the soldiers but worse for them, especially in the POW camps. It seems to be thoroughly researched and where the author is unsure she uses words like may have or maybe. There was also mention of a training camp in my hometown - but I had never heard of it and a quick internet search revealed nothing. I'll have to get into some databases and do some deeper digging! Well-written, interesting. A perspective that needs more attention given to these brave warriors that fought for the cause.
At the back there is an epilogue giving further detail about some of the key people featured; an author's note; Appendix A = the Anishinaabe soldiers and their age at enlistment; Appendix B = the timeline of Company K; Appendix C = treaties between the US government and the Anishinaabe; Appendix D = the Eagle as the mascot of Company K; Appendix E = a translation of one soldier's letter home; a glossary; a select bibliography; source notes; index.
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