Most elementary teachers who teach about the Civil War know the book, Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco. Through the main characters, the story shows the nations' dividing views of African Americans at that time. It, also, shows how compassion, friendship, and trust are built when there's a common need and differences don't matter.
Books like that one, help students to personally connect to the story because they can easily connect to the characters. Here are some of my favorites:
The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale, Trinka Hakes Noble
Gabe, an 11-year old boy, has followed his "last brother," a 16-year old, by joining the Union Army. Worrying about his brother, after 3 days of battle, he goes off to practice his bugle calls and meets his mirror image, Orlee, a Confederate bugle boy. The next day, as he is in the battle, he faces it with a new vision after having made that new friend. The story shows the hardships and sadness of how that war divided as a people.
A 13-year old farm boy joins the Union army after hearing Lincoln speak in his small hometown. He narrates the story as he talks to President Lincoln about how the realities of war changed his idealistic views inspired by Lincoln's words. Great discussions develop as students place themselves in his place and consider what they hope or think they will be doing at that age, how their lives would be if they were in that situation.
Lil' Dan, the Drummer Boy: A Civil War Story, Romare Bearden
A great story to compare and contrast with the previous one!
Lil' Dan is a young slave boy who loves to play the drum. After black Union soldiers tell him he's free, he joins them and uses his drum to save them from a Confederate attack. It gives a voice to African Americans and provides a different view and motivation for their fight.
The book comes with a CD with Maya Angelou narrating...wonderful!
Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy, Seymour Reit
The writer used Edmonds' memoirs, U.S. army records, and the National Archives to write this story. Through Edmonds' story we find out about the role of women in this war, and the courage and determination Emma Edmonds showed.
When I share this story, among all the others mentioned here, I read excerpts from the beginning chapters. Students are quickly hooked...especially the girls!
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