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classicbhaer's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really well created fictional novel that interwoven the tales of three different girls that all end up at Gettysburg. I really liked how the author told the experiences of many within these three characters. The writing was donee very well and it was an enjoyable read. I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the subject.
everthereader's review against another edition
4.0
Long ago, women did NOT have the rights they wanted. I honestly thought in all of Americas great wars there wasn't any women actually participating in any war as a soldier, I mean. When I came across this book, I was immediately intrigued and interested in a story about the Civil War from three girls perspectives. I really enjoyed all 3 of the characters. Each was brave an heroic in there own way. Apparently, at the beginning of the book, there actually was a female soldier in the Battle of Gettysburg. She disguised herself as a man and died in the battle. A soldier found her and buried as a brave female soldier. I find that fascinating and awesome that a female soldier got away with that. Unfortunately, she died and her identity is unknown. Overall, I loved this book and definitely recommend as a great historical fiction book. :)
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
A look at the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of the teenage girls -- Annie, disguised as a boy and fighting for the South; Grace, a free African American living on her family farm outside Gettysburg, and Tillie, a white girl living in the town of Gettysburg. Each of them brings a unique perspective to the battle. Unfortunately each of these characters are fairly stereotypical and one dimensional. Grades 5-7.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
I paired reading this text with Gary Paulsen's Soldiers Heart to teach CC ELA standards for historical fiction in 7th grade, 7.R.RL.09. They helped students identify how changing the point of view, or perspective, of characters in historical fiction can radically change the story.
I introduced the idea that women didn't always "make history," in the sense that they didn't make big headlines or get to sign treaties or lead soldiers into battle. Students read a New York Times Upfront / Scholastic article on "Women on the Front Lines."
I then introduced the idea that perhaps, even back in the Civil War, women participated on the front lines. Students were asked to predict what kinds of roles they thought women played, and how their parts would be the same or different than those of men.
In the Civil War, of course, perspective - gender and racial - meant everything.
Students then read this book, which shows the perspectives of three very different girls in the Civil War. The publisher offers an Educator's Guide aligned to CC Standards for younger grades.
Students identified with the characters, in part because of their ages. The vocabulary is below most middle school students' reading levels but that made the text a fast read. It was ideal for in classroom use and easily accessible for students to make comparisons between the texts. You can use a compare/contrast graphic organizer of your choice - there's plenty offered for free online.
When they were finished, they compared and contrasted the experiences of one "girl" from this book and Charley Goddard, the main character from Gary Paulsen's Soldiers Heart.
The publisher offers an Educator's Guide, which is geared toward younger students, but does include questions on seven major themes of the book, including Station in Life, Bravery, Conflict in Families, Music, Friendship and Battles.
Visit my blog for the free teaching resources mentioned in this review, and to see how I paired it with Soldiers Heart for comparing and contrasting gendered POV in historical literature: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/blog/gendered-pov-in-literature
I introduced the idea that women didn't always "make history," in the sense that they didn't make big headlines or get to sign treaties or lead soldiers into battle. Students read a New York Times Upfront / Scholastic article on "Women on the Front Lines."
I then introduced the idea that perhaps, even back in the Civil War, women participated on the front lines. Students were asked to predict what kinds of roles they thought women played, and how their parts would be the same or different than those of men.
In the Civil War, of course, perspective - gender and racial - meant everything.
Students then read this book, which shows the perspectives of three very different girls in the Civil War. The publisher offers an Educator's Guide aligned to CC Standards for younger grades.
Students identified with the characters, in part because of their ages. The vocabulary is below most middle school students' reading levels but that made the text a fast read. It was ideal for in classroom use and easily accessible for students to make comparisons between the texts. You can use a compare/contrast graphic organizer of your choice - there's plenty offered for free online.
When they were finished, they compared and contrasted the experiences of one "girl" from this book and Charley Goddard, the main character from Gary Paulsen's Soldiers Heart.
The publisher offers an Educator's Guide, which is geared toward younger students, but does include questions on seven major themes of the book, including Station in Life, Bravery, Conflict in Families, Music, Friendship and Battles.
Visit my blog for the free teaching resources mentioned in this review, and to see how I paired it with Soldiers Heart for comparing and contrasting gendered POV in historical literature: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/blog/gendered-pov-in-literature
quinnster's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was very well done for such a miserable topic. I wish that it was longer so we could get to know the characters better, or that she focused on one character, but I found it fascinating that Tillie did exist and what had inspired the Miller to write the book in the first place. This is a great book for kids to get a little bit of Civil War history without it being too graphic.
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