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A review by xaqrii
Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers by Gary Paulsen
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.