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catbrigand's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps what’s most remarkable about this experience is that I grew up a schoolkid in America in the 90s and never read a Gary Paulsen book until now. Color me underwhelmed.
This is a novella. This is a novella for middle grade readers. But being a middle grade novella doesn’t automatically preclude something from having depth. The fact that this doesn’t have that emotional depth makes me all the more critical. We have no feel for who Charley is as a person. While I appreciate the scenes that reveal his fragility and the fever that can come over a person from fighting for survival, it would have meant more if we had known more about what he was like before the war. This just didn’t work for me. I know I wasn’t the intended audience, but I was reading it to see if I should teach it to my class, and I’m not sure.
This is a novella. This is a novella for middle grade readers. But being a middle grade novella doesn’t automatically preclude something from having depth. The fact that this doesn’t have that emotional depth makes me all the more critical. We have no feel for who Charley is as a person. While I appreciate the scenes that reveal his fragility and the fever that can come over a person from fighting for survival, it would have meant more if we had known more about what he was like before the war. This just didn’t work for me. I know I wasn’t the intended audience, but I was reading it to see if I should teach it to my class, and I’m not sure.
xaqrii's review against another edition
3.0
GARY PAULSON/HISTORICAL NOVEL REQUIREMENT
Soldier's Heart is a Civil War story told from the semi-fictionalized point of view of Charley Goddard, one of the Minnesota volunteers. Charley enlists as a way to raise money and see the world. However, as the fighting begins, he learns the harsh reality of war. As the battles become worse, Charley becomes more and more hardened. By the Battle of Gettysburg, he relishes in the spilling of blood until he's hit and almost dies. In the end, he is prematurely old, barely in his 20's but walking with a cane. The book is a really interesting look into the horrors of war. Aside from the first battle, Charley Goddard really did serve in each of these battles and survived the war. This brings a harsh authenticity to the book that an wholly fictionalized account couldn't do. This would be a really good book for younger teens who have an interest in history or the Civil War. It would be a great gateway for those who are curious to learn more.
Soldier's Heart is a Civil War story told from the semi-fictionalized point of view of Charley Goddard, one of the Minnesota volunteers. Charley enlists as a way to raise money and see the world. However, as the fighting begins, he learns the harsh reality of war. As the battles become worse, Charley becomes more and more hardened. By the Battle of Gettysburg, he relishes in the spilling of blood until he's hit and almost dies. In the end, he is prematurely old, barely in his 20's but walking with a cane. The book is a really interesting look into the horrors of war. Aside from the first battle, Charley Goddard really did serve in each of these battles and survived the war. This brings a harsh authenticity to the book that an wholly fictionalized account couldn't do. This would be a really good book for younger teens who have an interest in history or the Civil War. It would be a great gateway for those who are curious to learn more.
allapaz's review against another edition
4.0
the fact that Mr. Gary Paulsen still has an absolute chokehold over the 6th grade mind in the year of our lord 2024 is wild to me, but this one holds up. looking forward to what the kids think as we work through this in class
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Listen, this is a book about a teenager's experience fighting in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The forward has a discussion on PTSD and warns that this is intense, and it is for a book for young people, but it's also very real.foreseen_karma's review against another edition
5.0
This book isn't perfect. But having known soldiers who suffer from severe PTSD, I can say that it's accurate. And after reading the author's note and finding it's based on a true story, that sealed the deal on how special this book is. Everyone studying the American civil war or military history, psychology, or who simply knows someone who has served in the armed forces should read this book. It's a story to be haunted by and treasure.
shaun11's review against another edition
3.0
Short account of a teenager who enlisted into the military and what he saw. Brutal.
abidoodle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a super easy read in terms of language and difficulty, but a very challenging and heavy read as well. It definitely makes you think about the human cost of war, for both those who die and who survive. I would honestly recommend this book, it’s such a quick read but will also make you think and reflect, as it’s intended to.
fallona's review against another edition
4.0
A short and evocative novel aimed at readers a little younger than the protagonist, who was a real person who lied about his age to enlist. Despite this, it presents a fairly graphic depiction of the battles in which he participates and the psychological and physical impact of his experiences.
uglyburrito's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book when I was 11. I am 19 now and this book has stuck in my memory ever since then. I loved this book.
amanda_preuitt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
imaclogger23's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0