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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
I had a vague memory of liking this book when I had to read it in junior high. However, upon re-reading it as an adult, I was quite unimpressed. While there's nothing technically wrong with the prose, the rural Indiana dialect doesn't really contribute to reading comprehension. Character development is minimal throughout the book, which also lacks a specific plot or narrative driving force — that's fine for an adult novel, but doesn't really work for a children's book. The narrative is very "talky," basically the book equivalent of having a character in a movie report every single thing that's happening on the screen. Hunt makes the classic mistake of telling, not showing, and it really makes what plot there is drag on. She did make some gestures towards adding complex dilemmas into the plot but these were never fully explored. I really liked where she going at the very end, with her remarks about the North being almost as hesitant as the South to embrace African-Americans as full citizens and people. I think this book would have been a lot stronger if it has been set in the aftermath of the Civil War than during the war itself, but it's just my personal opinion. Even though this was a Newbery Honor book, I can't help but feel there are more compelling middle grade novels about the Civil War that you could recommend to young readers instead of this one.
Spoiler
(such as the son who defects from his northern family to fight for the Confederacy, or another family member who experiences guilt over deserting the army)
There is something so poetic about this book - from its narrator to its title, the five Aprils of the American Civil War are told through the eyes of a young boy who never saw battle. There are more ways to share war stories than behind a musket. And this book does it beautifully. A gem in the genre of historical fiction.
The book started out slow with many descriptions of the people and land, but it soon sped up.
I loved it for the simple fact that it made me think. I’d never thought about the fact that not all the Northerners liked President Lincoln and General Grant. I’d assumed that everyone thought McClellan was far too timid and good for nothing. I’d never considered that he had good points as a General.
There were many battles that this book lifted out that I’d never heard of. You read of Shiloh and Antietam, but not of The Wilderness and Cold Harbor.
Another thing I loved was Jethro’s speech and grammar which slowly improved throughout the book.
All in all, I consider this book very informative and interesting.
I loved it for the simple fact that it made me think. I’d never thought about the fact that not all the Northerners liked President Lincoln and General Grant. I’d assumed that everyone thought McClellan was far too timid and good for nothing. I’d never considered that he had good points as a General.
There were many battles that this book lifted out that I’d never heard of. You read of Shiloh and Antietam, but not of The Wilderness and Cold Harbor.
Another thing I loved was Jethro’s speech and grammar which slowly improved throughout the book.
All in all, I consider this book very informative and interesting.
A grim book about the Civil War. A bit slow but interesting glimpse of the past.
It took me longer than usual to get into the story, but once I did I was fascinated. My Teita describes it as “profound” and I agree. I love historical fiction so it shouldn’t surprise me, but reading about the war from a civilian’s point of view while the events unfolded really drove home how if affected everyone else<\i> in the country. Too often my focus has been on the battles and soldiers. I wish I knew what happened after the end of the book, but sometimes the best ones leave you wondering.
I have read this about 6 years ago and I actually have forgotten the title. But I haven't forgotten the story so I took to searching for this book--which, actually took me ages. One thing I can say about this book is it being unforgettable and I would recommend this book to anyone who loathes cheap posh novels, and would like to read something worthwhile. A great read.
PS. I wouldn't say they made me read this at school as we don't even read fiction at school.
PS. I wouldn't say they made me read this at school as we don't even read fiction at school.
Originally published in 1964, this Newbery Honor book has not dated and holds great appeal.
Okay before I started my re-read of this book I read a bunch of bad reviews, many poorly spelled and petulant, written by teenagers assigned it in class. "It's boooooring!" they whined. "Oh shut up, brain-dead teen morons" I sneered. I read this book as a child in the throes of my Civil War addiction and seem to recall that I loved it. Or did I...I don't remember it at all and I've never owned a copy...most books I loved I read over and over. Anyway, I don't know what made me think of it, but I got a copy from the library and sat down, expecting to polish it off in one sitting and wallow in nostalgia. Then...uh oh. It was....surely not.....boring? Pretty adult vocabulary. Lots of historical background, most of which I knew, and it was still dull. Corn pone dialect ..'Jest heered ya got a festerin'hurt in that there fit with them boys'...sort of thing. Predictable sorrow..its a war novel after all. And a main character named Jethro, which will doom a person of a certain age to hours of struggling to get "the kinfolk said Jed move away from there!" out of one's head. Hmmm. Sorry, teens. I understand. Maybe what I most liked about this book was its title. Lovely title.
Very poorly written and dull. The excruciating effort to make all the dialogue have terrible grammar and diction so the people were clearly uneducated was so distracting and unnecessary. It reads like a dry textbook with an occasional human interest story thrown in for effect. The only redeeming quality was the fact that the book is based on the true story of the author's grandfather and his family.
Had to give up reading it aloud because we were all bored out of our minds.
Had to give up reading it aloud because we were all bored out of our minds.