The Girls of Gettysburg

Gr 4–6—In this riveting historical fiction novel, the stories of three young girls interweave during Pickett's Charge, one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War: Tille, a witty, sharp-tongued Union supporter; Grace, a free African American; and Annie, a Southern girl disguised as a male Confederate soldier. Tillie experiences the sounds and sights of the dying—the soldiers' tattered bodies and broken souls. She begins serving as a temporary nurse in her neighborhood, and is seen as an angel by those who long for home. Grace witnesses the Confederates approaching and burning everything in their path. In the past, her family had helped runaway slaves. As a result, she has a constant anxious feeling. Readers will connect with Grace's worrisome thoughts through the text. With the spirit of an abolitionist and humanitarian, Grace understands their need to be free and to control their own destiny. Annie, aka James Anachie Gordon, travels north to join the army, serving as a substitute soldier for $300 to start a new life out west. She struggles to prove herself, joining the boys of Virginia and living among them. The three protagonists charge ahead, despite the sorrow and fear that surrounds them. They keep their faith and bravery in not only their surroundings, but in themselves. The author's note contains information on the main characters of the story, along with other books to explore on the relevant subjects. Miller shares with readers that all history is, indeed, a story. Recommended general purchase for both school and public libraries.—Krista Welz, North Bergen High School, NJ