Myers, Laurie. Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure

Myers, Laurie     Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure    

Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2011  120p  14.99 978-0-8050-8825-0     elem  E-BN  Historical  

   During the Civil War, Tommy and Annie and their dog Samson meet a wounded soldier at the hospital in their church.  They conclude that he is a Yankee and help him and a local slave escape from Augusta, GA. For grades 3-6.   As a wagon load of wounded soldiers rolls past their window, Tommy and Annie see a one-armed man clutching a book.  The book falls and Tommy retrieves it.  Returning it to the man and forming a friendship, Tommy comes to realize that the soldier is really a Yankee.  When he learns the man has a young son he wants to return to, Tommy debates what it means to “do justly, and love mercy”.  He finally decides to help the man escape.
    This Civil War story is perfect for young independent readers.  Simply written, it has enough of the gruesomeness of war to be real, but it is handled very gently.  The moral debate Tommy wages with himself is very well written and balanced with adventure.  It is especially touching when Tommy’s father, Reverend McKnight, recognizes Tommy’s strength of conviction even if he believes his choice is wrong.
   The story is loosely based on the childhood of Woodrow Wilson.
The sparse pen and ink illustrations help the reader picture the characters, setting and action.  They enhance the text for the reader.
An excellent choice for young readers interested in the Civil War. For grades 3-6.              Civil war - fiction     Joan Theal