[1] in Eicher, David J. The Civil War in Books:
An Analytical Bibliography. University of Illinois, 1996.

According to historian Gary W. Gallagher, “Books about the Civil War have accumulated at the rate of more than a title a day since fighting erupted at Fort Sumter in April 1861. ” [1] Now, 150 years later, children’s authors and illustrators continue to approach this fascinating era in inventive ways. The past decade has brought readers rich portrayals of historical figures, such as Abraham Lincoln in 3-D, along with gripping true tales of runaway slaves, girls in disguise, innovative inventors, and even a battlefield cow.We’ve met colorful fictional characters whose adventures led them into the heart of war, including a Virginia girl searching for her father through the bloody battle of Antietam and a habitual liar caught in the Gettysburg crossfire. The conflict can resonate with contemporary characters as well: at a school where a Civil War role-playing assignment goes too far or in a household where a girl finds parallels between her family’s conflicts and the historical one she studies. The war’s literature brings readers to unexpected settings: the dugout caves inhabited by the besieged citizens of Vicksburg; the warmth of a Seder table where faith and humanity prove stronger than wartime conflict; and a riverbed that reveals a 130-year-old mystery. None of the titles below can supply the ultimate answers about why over 620,000 American soldiers had to perish in those four tumultuous years, but each sheds a different bit of light on the unique and unforgettable historical conflict in ways that are engaging, insightful, and entertaining.

Overviews: From Ft. Sumter to Appomattox

ALLEN, Thomas B. & Roger MacBride Allen. Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War: How the North Used the Telegraph, Railroads, Surveillance Balloons, Ironclads, High-Powered Weapons, and More to Win the Civil War. National Geographic. 2009. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0379-1; PLB $25.90 ISBN 978-1-4263-0380-7. Gr 5-9–Lincoln’s role as a military strategist shines through in this intriguing look at how rapid-fire guns, iron-clad ships, and other new technologies impacted the war’s outcome. Lucid prose introduces colorful personalities and key military situations, as well as the scientific and manufacturing hurdles involved with each device, all supported by historical illustrations and useful maps and diagrams.

ARMSTRONG, Jennifer. Photo by Brady: A Picture of the Civil War. S & S/Atheneum. 2005. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-689-85785-0. Gr 5-8–Dozens of 1860s photos by Matthew Brady and his contemporaries illustrate this revealing look at the impact of photography on the Civil War. Armstrong’s clear prose delineates how the war itself accelerated demand for the new visual art form while dynamic wartime photos subsequently influenced public perceptions of the conflict. A successful combination of history, biography, and art.

LEWIS, J. Patrick. The Brothers’ War: Civil War Voices in Verse. National Geographic. 2007. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0036-3; PLB $25.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0037-0. Gr 4-8–“Remember them/Today, deceased,/Young men-at-arms who would increase/By inches some foothold on peace.” Eleven moving poems capture the emotions of the war through multiple points of view, including slaves, soldiers, and famous figures. Pages resembling gold leaf and full-page photographs from the period amplify the mood and the solemn insightfulness of the words.

MCPHERSON, James M. Fields of Fury: The American Civil War. S & S/Atheneum. 2002. RTE $22.95. ISBN 978-0-689-84833-9. Gr 4-8–Single-page chapters, each accompanied by a dramatic full-page photograph or painting, make this an especially accessible introduction to the war. Concise accounts of major battles and key campaigns combine with topical entries covering women, slavery, and other areas. Highlighted “Quick Facts,” numerous anecdotes, and well-chosen quotes enhance the appeal.

OLSON, Kay Melchisedech. The Terrible, Awful Civil War: The Disgusting Details About Life During America’s Bloodiest War. Capstone. 2010. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4296-3960-6. Gr 3-6–This collection of “foul facts” highlights the often-horrifying realities of daily life during the Civil War. While some are amusing, such as the combined urine amounts of one million military horses, more entries reveal the pervasive hardships of the battlefields, hospitals, and prisons. Illustrations and period photos provide sobering visual support.

RAPPAPORT, Doreen & Joan Verniero. United No More!: Stories of the Civil War. illus. by Rick Reeves. HarperCollins. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-050599-8. PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-050600-1. Gr 4-8–A Confederate spy pays for her forthrightness with a harrowing stint in prison. An editor is moved to tears upon hearing a Lincoln speech. Evocative Civil War moments come to life through accomplished storytelling based on extensive research of firsthand sources. These fictionalized accounts lend immediacy and specific perspectives to wartime experiences.

SHEINKIN, Steve. Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn’t Tell You About the Civil War. illus. by Tim Robinson. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. 2008. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-59643-320-5. Gr 4-8–A conversational narrative, lively cartoon caricatures, and an appreciation for intriguing facts and anecdotes make this an excellent introduction to the Civil War. Though the tone is tongue-in-cheek, the information is clear and thorough, showing how a “cane-swinging Congressman,” three dropped cigars, and other lighthearted elements directly relate to the momentous historical events.

ZELLER, Bob & John J. Richter. Lincoln in 3-D: Amazing and Rare Stereoscopic Photographs of His Life and Times. Chronicle. 2010. Tr $35. ISBN 978-0-8118-7231-7. Gr 6 Up–One hundred and eighty-five striking stereoscopic images, viewable with 3-D glasses provided in the back, offer a fresh visual depiction of the Civil War era. Captions supply helpful context for the photographs, complementing the chronological narrative. Visual highlights include paired portraits, such as Grant opposite Lee, and dramatic multipage series of images from key battles like Antietam and Gettysburg.

On the Battlefield: Women, Children, Soldiers (and a Cow)

AVI. Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor and the Merrimac : A Civil War Novel. illus. by C. B. Mordan. Hyperion. 2007. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0446-9. Gr 4-7–Thirteen-year-old Tom lands a unique job working on the construction of the Union’s first iron-plated ship in 1861 Brooklyn. After navigating the threats of Confederate spies and the sometimes-doubtful genius of the ship’s inventor, the boy has suspenseful adventures that culminate with the intense experience of war underwater. Line drawings and historical images illustrate the era.

CRANE, Stephen. Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage : The Graphic Novel. ilus. & adapted by Wayne Vansant. Puffin. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-14-240410-2. Gr 5 Up–Black-and-white illustrations provide a rich visual framework for Crane’s classic novel. The paneled drawings capture emotional nuances and chaotic battle scenes with equal effectiveness. Crane’s original words are retained for most narration and dialogue, giving readers a sense of the power of the novel’s language.

DURRANT, Lynda. My Last Skirt: The Story of Jennie Hodgers, Union Soldier. Clarion. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-618-57490-2. Gr 5-8–Jennie Hodgers dons boys’ clothes to earn a living in Ireland, then in America. When she joins the Union army, the girl endures the hardships of war and the unique challenge of hiding her true self. Rich character development, vivid detail, and an interesting premise make this novel, based on a historical figure, compelling and educational.

FLETCHER, Susan. Dadblamed Union Army Cow. illus. by Kimberly Bulcken Root. Candlewick. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2263-3. Gr 3-6–Playful storytelling and lighthearted watercolors make this picture book based on actual events one of the rare Civil War books that elicits smiles. A soldier relates how his “dadblamed cow” followed him into battle, answering each plea to “git on home” with a “Moo.” The animal’s presence turns into a blessing as her warmth and milk help sustain injured troops.

FORD, Carin T. African-American Soldiers in the Civil War: Fighting for Freedom. Enslow. 2004. PLB $18.95. ISBN 978-0-7660-2254-6. Gr 4-6–This clear overview examines both the triumphs and hardships of black soldiers, along with the conditions that prevented them from serving for so long. Excerpts from primary sources provide personal examples, complementing the broader historical perspective. The attractive layout includes informative sidebars and clear reproductions of photographs, paintings, and documents.

FRIEDMAN, Robin. The Silent Witness: A True Story of the Civil War. illus. by Claire A. Nivola. Houghton Harcourt. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-44230-0. Gr 3-5–In an unlikely but actual coincidence, young Lula McLean and her family directly experienced the first major battle of the war (a cannonball landed in their stew) and the conflict’s end (surrender documents were signed in their house). Simple words and elegant folk-art illustrations trace how the course of the war intersected with a single household.

HALE, Sarah Elder, ed. Young Heroes of the North and South. Cobblestone. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8126-7901-4. Gr 4-7–This collection of articles from Cobblestone and Appleseeds magazines highlights the many roles young people played in the Civil War. Engaging information about drummer boys, nurses, and other occupations combine with specific accounts of spies, soldiers, and the wartime experience of kids on the home front. Plentiful photographs and artwork from the period provide strong visual support.

HALFMANN, Janet. Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story. illus. by Duane Smith. Lee & Low. 2008. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-232-0. Gr 3-7–Smalls escaped from slavery by piloting a Confederate ship from Charleston Harbor straight into the hands of the Union fleet. His daring feat, which also saved his crewmates and his family, makes for an especially rousing and suspenseful historical picture book. Impressionistic oil paintings capture the drama of Smalls’s triumphant tale.

JONES, Carrie. Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil War Spy. illus. by Mark Oldroyd. Carolrhoda. 2011. PLB $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5399-7; ebook $13.46. ISBN 978-0-7613-7155-7. Gr 1-3–This dynamic picture book introduces Sarah Edmonds, who served the Union army in disguise under the name Frank Thompson. She took the gender deception a step further by posing as a Southern male slave for her first daring spy mission. Impressionistic pastels capture “Frank’s” bold personality and the suspense of her undercover exploits in a first-rate historical adventure.

MURPHY, Jim. A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-689-87633-2. Gr 5-9–This comprehensive look at the war’s bloodiest day captures the multitude of factors that make up a battle, from McClellan’s overly cautious strategies to the chivalry and courage of battlefield soldiers. Minute-by-minute campaign descriptions, precise maps, historical portraits and paintings, and plentiful quotes from participants immerse readers in the fray. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

PHILBRICK, Rodman. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-66818-7. Gr 5-8–The comic misadventures of a self-proclaimed liar become steadily more somber as young Homer’s search for his conscripted brother leads him straight into the middle of a Gettysburg battlefield. Encounters with abolitionists, spies, con men, and journalists, related in Homer’s lively narrative voice, make this an especially fresh and thought-provoking historical novel. Audio version available from Listening Library.

SILVEY, Anita. I’ll Pass for Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War. Clarion. 2008. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-618-57491-9. Gr 5-8–Women who fought in the war utilized disguise, deceit, and secrecy to avoid discovery. This fascinating, expertly documented history describes the incredible experiences of a wide variety of female soldiers; it also examines the reasons for their actions, ranging from thirst for adventure to true love.

Home Front: Civilians and the War

HOPKINSON, Deborah. Billy and the Rebel: Based on a True Civil War Story. illus. by Brian Floca. S & S/Atheneum. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-689-83964-1. Gr 1-3–A frightened Confederate soldier asks young Billy and his mother for help just as the Battle of Gettysburg begins. Later, his new friend risks capture to save Billy from an angry soldier. Short chapters, controlled vocabulary, and appealing watercolors enhance this just-right introduction to the war.

MCMULLAN, Margaret. How I Found the Strong: A Civil War Story. Houghton Harcourt. 2004. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-618-35008-7. Gr 6-9–Ten-year-old Shanks grows up quickly in this grim but compelling novel of war, slavery, and true courage. As his Mississippi family faces hunger and loss, the boy’s spare, unflinching narration describes the dire costs of war, both physical and emotional, balanced by his rising determination to endure for the sake of family, friendship, and compassion.

MYERS, Walter Dean. Riot. Egmont USA. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-000-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-042-9. Gr 7 Up–An innovative screenplay format reveals the turmoil of the New York City Draft Riots of 1863. A large cast of characters, varied in gender, skin color, and background, provides rich opportunities to explore questions of race, war, and freedom. The result is a unique, thought-provoking look at a lesser-known Civil War event. Audio version available from Listening Library.

PECK, Richard. The River Between Us. Dial. 2003. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-2735-9. Gr 5-8–An exotic pair of young ladies from New Orleans take refuge with a family in rural Illinois just as the Civil War begins. Tilly, 15, narrates with keen observation and unaffected wit, gradually revealing how the visitors’ hidden past and the sober realities of war eventually lead to death, love, and a surprising family secret. Audio version available from Listening Library.

WARREN, Andrea. Under Siege!: Three Children at the Civil War Battle for Vicksburg. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2009. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-0-374-31255-8. Gr 6-9–The words and experiences of three children bring the Siege of Vicksburg to life. Two Confederate kids flee with their families to endure several weeks in a hillside cave; meanwhile, the son of General Grant tastes battle for the first time. Absorbing narrative descriptions and additional firsthand sources support this multifaceted view of the pivotal wartime event.

WEBER, Elka. The Yankee at the Seder. illus. by Adam Gustavson. Tricycle. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-256-1. Gr 3-6–A Southern family is joined by a Yankee corporal as they celebrate the first Passover after the war. Conflicting feelings of war and religion arise in the 10-year-old narrator, who questions his beliefs for the first time. Expressive oil paintings capture both the peacetime setting and the emotional tension around the table.

WELLS, Rosemary. Red Moon at Sharpsburg. Viking. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-03638-7. Gr 7-10–After a harrowing search for her father through the chaos of Antietam, 12-year-old India grapples with a series of heart-wrenching choices brought on by the devastation of war. Vivid period details and sometimes-graphic descriptions of human suffering create a memorable historical setting, while India’s open-mindedness and determination point hopefully to a brighter postwar future. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

Looking Backward: History, Crafts, and Time Travel

ANDERSON, Maxine. Great Civil War Projects You Can Build Yourself. Nomad. 2005. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-0-9749344-1-9. Gr 4-8–Homemade hardtack, a cardboard forage cap, and a bathtub version of an ironclad ship are among the projects described in this activity book with step-by-step instructions. Grouped by “On the Battlefied” and “On the Homefront,” each project includes background information along with facts and trivia. A glossary of Civil War slang is an added bonus.

HEMPHILL, Michael & Sam Riddleburger. Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run. Dial. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3179-0. Gr 4-7–A 12-year-old Civil War reenactor time travels to the first Battle of Bull Run, where the self-proclaimed wimp tries to save an ancestor, impress a girl, and thwart the plans of a an “evil history-changing wacko.” Likable characters and clever plotting result in a highly satisfying mix of humor, history, and adventure.

MILLS, Claudia. The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish. Farrar. 2008. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-374-37696-3. Gr 4-7–Amanda creates a fictional diary about a girl during the Civil War for a fifth-grade assignment. The writing provides solace and food for thought as she struggles with her own modern problems, including the loss of her best friend and her parents’ separation. An engrossing look at how historical conflicts can resonate in the daily lives of children.

MYERS, Walter Dean. The Cruisers. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91626-4. Gr 6-9–When a school-wide assignment divides students into “North” and “South,” four friends try to find nonviolent methods to keep the peace. Strong characterizations and a gripping premise make this an especially discussable novel as the kids realize that issues of free speech, racism, and respect loom as large in the 21st century as they did in the 1860s. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

WALKER, Sally M. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H. L. Hunley . Carolrhoda. 2005. PLB $18.95. ISBN 978-1-57505-830-6. Gr 6 Up–The mysterious disappearance of a Confederate submarine in 1863 becomes even more fascinating when seen through the eyes of the divers, archaeologists, engineers, and other experts who pieced together the details more than a century later. Full-color photographs, helpful diagrams, and engaging writing contribute to this unique and multifaceted look at how history works. Audio version available from Listening Library.