Abraham Lincoln by Ingri & Edgar D'Aulaire.
Caldecott Medal. D'Aulaire's books are richly illustrated, historically thorough, and entertaining.
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt.
JH+ Newbery Honor. The Civil War effects every member of 9-year-old Jethro's family and every facet of his life. Based on a real family's experiences, this book is a must-read.
Bull Run by Paul Fleischman, woodcuts by David Frampton.
UE
Not yet reviewed.
Cecil's Story
by George Ella Lyon, paintings by Peter Catalanotto. Orchard Books, 1991.
K-E
Very touching book. A young boy waits with some apprehension until his father comes home from the war. The words "Civil War", etc., are never mentioned, but the illustrations and setting communicate the time period.
Charley Skedaddle
by Patricia Beatty. Troll Communications, 1996.
UE-JH
Not yet reviewed.
Drummer Boy : Marching to the Civil War by Ann Turner, illus. Mark Hess. HarperCollins, 1998.
E
A picture book, but the content matter is not good for the
K child. A young drummer boy tells of the horrors of war. Serious subject; tactfully done.
Duel of the Ironclads: The Monitor Vs. the Virginia
by Patrick O'Brien. Walker & Company, 2003.
E-UE Full color pictures show how and why the
Merrimack (i.e., the
Virginia) and the
Monitor were built and used in the Civil War. Includes several color diagrams and gives the story of both ships. Recommended.
Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition), MOVIE starring Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, and Martin Sheen. 1993. Rated PG.
JH-HS
Sequel to the movie "Gods and Generals." Caution: Rated PG. See your favorite video review site for possible objectionable elements.
Glory, MOVIE starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick. 1989. Rated R.
JH-HS
Story centers around the first Black Regiment, the 54th Massachusetts. Caution: Rated R. See your favorite video review site for possible objectionable elements.
Gods and Generals, MOVIE, starring Jeff Daniels, Steven Lang, and Robert Duvall. Rated PG-13
JH-HS
This movie is a prequel to the movie "Gettysburg." It spans from the early stages of the war in 1861 to the battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Caution: Rated PG-13. See your favorite video review site for possible objectionable elements.
If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War by Kay Moore, illus. Anni Matsick. Scholastic, 1994.
E-UE
Great book for the younger child to understand the whole picture without any tragic or unsettling details.
Lincoln : A Photobiography by Russell Freedman. Clarion Books, 1987.
UE-HS
Newbery Medal. Great detail on Lincoln and many photographs of both him and his times.
The Perilous Road by William O. Steele. Harcourt, Brace, & World, 1958.
UE+
A young boy struggles with conflicting loyalties & learns of the senselessness of war when the conflict hits close to his home.
A Picture Book of Robert E. Lee (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler, illus. John & Alexandra Wallner. Holiday House, 1994.
E Mr. Adler writes biographies for the younger student, including plenty of detail and important information in a picture book format. Important Dates are included in the back.
The Promise Quilt by Candice F. Ranson, illus. by Ellen Beier. Walker & Co., 1999.
K-E
A Virginia girl's sacrifice helps to reopen their school after the Civil War. Touching story with a hint of sadness (her father never returns from the War), but ends in hope.
The Silent Witness: A True Story of the Civil War by Robin Friedman, illus. Claire A. Nivola. Houghton-Mifflin, 2005.
K-E Lula and her favorite rag doll lived at Bull Run when the Civil War began in her front yard. Her family then moved to a tiny village called Appomattox Court House to be away from the fighting. But in 1865, two visitors in tall boots arrived at Lula's house, and she fled from the room, leaving her doll as a "silent witness" to the end of the war. Watercolor illustrations.
Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln
by Judith St. George, illus. Matt Faulkner. Philomel Books, 2008.
E-UE
This book has both the beautiful illustrations of a good picture book, along with enough written copy for an UE student, telling the story of Lincoln's growing up years in an entertaining, yet informative, way!
Stonewall by Jean Fritz, illus. Stephen Gammell. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1979.
UE-HS
Discover one of the most famous of Southern generals in this fascinating biography. Find out why his name became a household word in the Civil War and what he was truly like. It may not be what you were expecting! Jean Fritz does a fabulous job writing about historical figures and events, and this book is another treasure. Recommended.
Spy in the Sky by Kathleen Karr, illus. Thomas F. Yezerski. Hyperion, 1997.
E-UE
Based on the balloonist who used his talents to help the Northern troops. 3rd Grade Level Chapter Book.
The Tamarack Tree: A Novel of the Siege of Vicksburg by Patricia Clapp. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1986.
JH+
This novel shows the seige of Vicksburg, slavery, and the Civil War through the eyes of an "outsider," an (adult) girl & her brother from England. Good storytelling with a hint of romance, although the only intimacy portrayed is a single kiss.
Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty. William Morrow & Co., 1984.
UE+
Story centers around the Georgia mill workers who were sent north against their will. Briefly alludes to General Sherman's scourge in the south. The
sequel is
Be Ever Hopeful, Hannalee (see post Civil War).
When Abraham Talked to the Trees by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, illus. Bill Farnsworth. Eerdmans, 2000.
K-E
The story of Abe's gowing up, his love of books, and his effort to become a scholar and a speaker in his rustic environment. Nice. Does not discuss the Civil War, and only briefly alludes to his presidency.
Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days: 1809-1837
by Cheryl Harness, illus. Cheryl Harness. National Geographic Society, 1996.
E-UE
Learn about Abe's boyhood with beautiful illustrations and lots of detail. Takes you from his birth until age 28 when he is a member of the government of the state of Illinois and practicing law.
Sequel to Turn Homeward, Hannalee (see Civil War). The family must face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in the post-Civil War South as the demolished city of Atlanta rebuilds around them. Good story!
Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reader. Macmillan, 1989.
UE+
Jefferson Cup Award. Living with relatives after being orphaned by the war, Will is forced to consider perspectives of the conflict other than his own. Good story, with a sensitive view of the people on all sides and the hardships suffered by all.
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Scholastic, 1952. UE-JH
by Sid Fleishman. Little, 1988. E-JH
by Susan Lendroth, illus. Adam Gustavson. Tricycle Press, 2010. E
by Verla Kay, illus. S. D. Schindler. K-E
by Marion Russell, adapted by Ginger Wadsworth, illus. by James Watling. Albert Whitman & Co., 1993. E-UE
by Gloria Whelan, illus. Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. Sleeping Bear Press, 2004. E-UE
by David A. Adler, illus. Samuel Byrd. Holiday House, 1992. E-UE
by Julia Durango, illu. Tom Pohrt. Simon & Schuster, 2008. UE-JH
