The Civil War

1. The Civil War David Sandy Ashley Julia Peggy Return to Civil War Main Page

2. Suggested Readings on the Civil War Return to Civil War Main Page

3. Abe Lincoln’s Hat By Martha Brenner Abe Lincoln didn’t have much money, but wanted to look his best when he became a lawyer. He bought a long black coat and a tall black hat. The tall black hat later became a place to keep all of his important papers. This book follows Abe’s life as a young lawyer to his presidential years. He never changed his ways. He always kept important papers in his hat. Recommended for grades K – 1 Picture Book/Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

4. A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln By David A. Adler “People called him ‘Honest Abe,’ ‘Father Abraham,’ and ‘Savior of the Union.’” This book begins with Abraham Lincoln’s birth in Kentucky and ends with his assassination. Recommended for grades K – 1 Picture Book Return to Civil War Main Page

5. A. Lincoln and Me By Louise Borden and Ted Lewin A young, skinny boy learns that Abraham Lincoln was very much the same as he during his young years. He also learns, as he studies Lincoln, that Lincoln had a great ability to keep a nation together. The book is wonderful for introducing young children to this great president. Recommended for grades K – 1 Contemporary Realistic Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

6. Follow the Drinking Gourd By Jeanette Winter This story is about the legendary one-legged railroad conductor, Peg Leg Joe. He befriended the slaves and taught them a folk song named, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Within the lyrics were hidden directions to the Underground Railroad. The Drinking Gourd referred to the Big Dipper constellation. The slaves were led to safe places in the north by following the hidden directions and the stars. Recommended for grades 2 – 3 Poetry Return to Civil War Main Page

7. Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers By Karen B. Winnick An amusing true story about how Abraham Lincoln decided to grow his beard. An eleven year old girl named Grace Bedell had seen a photograph of Lincoln and felt that his face looked thin. She wrote a letter to him suggesting that if he grew a beard he might receive more votes, especially from the women. During a whistle stop visit to Grace’s hometown, Abraham Lincoln stopped to see what Grace thought about the beard he decided to grow. Recommended for grades 2 – 3 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

8. When Abraham Talked to the Trees By Elizabeth Van Steenwyk A wonderfully illustrated book about how Abraham Lincoln would practice giving speeches. Lincoln would speak to anyone who would take the time to listen to him. If no one was available to listen, he would practice his speeches on the trees in the woods. This was how Abraham Lincoln became one of our greatest speakers in history. Recommended for grades 2 – 3 Biography Return to Civil War Main Page

9. Abraham Lincoln Lawyer, Leader, Legend By Justine and Ron Fontes This book takes the reader from Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginning in a log cabin in Kentucky to his death. Lincoln held many important positions throughout his life and always worked for the good of all people. Recommended for grades 2 – 3 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

10. The Gettysburg Address By Abraham Lincoln (Foreword by Garry Wills) Michael McCurdy excellently illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s riveting Gettysburg Address. Recommended for grades 4 – 5 Picture Book Return to Civil War Main Page

11. In Their Own Words Abraham Lincoln By George Sullivan George Sullivan travels through the life of Abraham Lincoln as he develops from a young man to the greatest United States president. Sullivan writes about the hardships and experiences President Abraham Lincoln endured. Recommended for grades 4 – 5 Biography Return to Civil War Main Page

12. Happy Birthday, Addy! By Connie Porter It is the first Spring that Addy and her parents have spent in Philadelphia since moving into the boarding house. Like many people who grew up in slavery, Addy does not know when she was born. Addy meets a new friend, M’dear, who encourages her to claim a day for her birthday. M’dear also helps Addy overcome anger and fear as she faces prejudice and danger. Recommended for grades 4 – 5 Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

13. Thunder at Gettysburg By Patrica Lee Gauch In the summer of 1863, Tillie Pierce was sent from her hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to live on a neighbor’s farm for safety. The Civil War was just beginning and Tillie wanted the Union soldiers of the north to win. But even the farm did not offer her the protection she needed and she found herself right in the middle of the battle. Recommended for grades 4 – 5 Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

14. Ghost Soldier By Elaine Marie Alphin The ghost of a young soldier from the Civil War haunts a troubled teen in this story. As an unusual friendship develops between the two, Alexander is drawn into a new reality where he comes face to face with the haunting past of his soldier friend. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Modern Fantasy Return to Civil War Main Page

15. The Long Road to Gettysburg By Jim Murphy This book recounts the hardships and anxieties of the battle. The book conveys first hand accounts of the battle by Confederate soldier Lt. John Dooley and Union soldier Thomas Galway, to recount the trials of preparing for battle, the rigorous days of fighting, and the heartache of treating the injured and burying the dead. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

16. Stealing Freedom By Elisa Carbone So many slaves were stripped of their families and their freedom. This true story explains the life of Ann Marie Weems. Stripped of her family when she was twelve years old, Weems, if willing to give up the life she has, has the chance to meet her family again by traveling the Underground Railroad. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Biography Return to Civil War Main Page

17. Bright Freedom’s Song By Gloria Housten This is a very passionate and compelling book that discusses the true heroism of a girl and her family and how they provide a safe house for slaves and the Underground Railroad. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Biography Return to Civil War Main Page

18. Unconditional Surrender: U.S. Grant and the Civil War By Albert Marrin As we all know, U.S. Grant was one of the most influential generals during the Civil War for the Union. Marrin recounts Grant’s life and his race in the Civil War. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

19. Over Jordan By Norma Johnston During the times leading to the Civil War, so many slaves helped one another to safety. Over Jordan is a gripping story about a fourteen-year old who helps her servant and his fiancé escape to freedom. They were aided by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Recommended for grades 6 – 7 Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

20. North Star to Freedom By Gena K. Gorrell A history of the Underground Railroad, from the origins of slavery to the period beyond the Civil War. The book takes the reader on a journey from the over-crowded slave ships from Africa, to the risky railroad routes to freedom, and finally to freedom in the north. Each step the slaves took presented challenges and fears to overcome if freedom was to be theirs. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

21. The Boys’ War By Jim Murphy Young children, some of them only twelve years old, were fighting against grown men in the Civil War. They did it for many different reasons. Some were protecting their families, some just wanted to escape their homes, and others were fighting against slavery. This book is based on the true stories and diaries of how the boys lived and survived the Civil War. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

22. Behind the Blue and Gray: The Soldier’s Life in the Civil War By Delia Ray This book explores the lives of the Union and Confederate soldiers. Comparisons are made between their uniforms, strategies, drafts, and survival techniques. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

23. Undying Glory By Clinton Cox The 54th regiment of Massachusetts, better known as the “Glory” regiment, was composed of all black soldiers as young as sixteen years to forty years. The courageous men fought for the Union, risking their lives to free their families from slavery. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Multicultural Return to Civil War Main Page

24. Gentle Annie By Mary Francis Shura This is a true story about sixteen-year-old Annie Etheridge. Annie was a fearless nurse who faced battle to help the troops. She was the only nurse out of seventeen to remain when the troops went to battle. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Biography Return to Civil War Main Page

25. Dear America A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin By Karen Hesse A realistic account of the Civil War is presented by Amelia Martin. Stories of family hardships and struggles are talked about in the diary entries dated throughout the Civil War. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Historical Fiction Return to Civil War Main Page

26. Dear America A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl By Patricia C. McKissack This is a fictional story about a young slave girl who, even though it is against the law, learns to read and write. The diary takes the reader on a day-by-day journey through the life of this brave young girl as she tries to understand and survive the life she is forced to live. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

27. Get on Board: The Story of the Underground Railroad By Jim Haskins Few records of the Underground Railroad were kept, but many of the stories survive today. Slaves came up with ingenious plans to escape to freedom, some even included long dangerous journeys to safety. Recommended for grades 7 – 8 Informational Return to Civil War Main Page

28. Civil War Return to Civil War Main Page