Civil Finds: Book Recommendations on the Civil War

Once more we had to really think to pick out just three favorite books/series about the Civil War. There are hundreds of books on the Civil War, good and bad. We prefer to stick to the more Christian based/clean ones though, but if you want to get into the real thick of Civil War history you may want to check your local library for classics like The Red Badge of Courage (which does have a lot of swearing in it) or Across Five Aprils, a very good book about a family during the Civil War. Whatever your reading level or genre, you can bet there’s a book out there to suite you! These are just our top favorites. We hope you like them!

Rifles for Watie

By Harold Keith

Young Jeff Bussy was probably the only soldier in the West to see the Civil War from both sides and live to tell about it. Amid the roar of cannon and the swish of flying lead, Jeff learned what it meant to fight in battle. He learned how it felt never to have enough to eat, to forage for his food or starve. He saw the green fields of Kansas and Oklahoma laid waste by Watie's raiding parties, homes gutted, precious corn deliberately uprooted. He marched endlessly across parched, hot land, through mud and slash-ing rain, always hungry, always dirty and dog-tired. And through it all, he made friends and enemies, people who would change his very life and his view of the war.

What we like about this book: This book is very unusual in many areas. It not only shows both sides of the war but it has a whole cast of colorful characters and depicts the soldiers as men who were fighting for their country-- Whether Southern or Northern. It’s also got some great adventure in it, so hang onto your hats!

Age Range: 12 and up

Audience: Boys, but girls would like this book, too.

Cautions: There is war violence in some areas, and we don’t remember if there was any bad words in it. Reader discretion advised, depending on what your parents are okay with you reading. The story may be too intense for young readers, as the writer is a master in the craftsmanship of suspense, with a frightening chase scene and a couple others that may frighten young kids.

Era: 1861-1865

Special Notes: This is probably one of the best Civil War books we’ve ever read. It’s witty, it’s funny, and it had a great story to it. The plot twists leave you on the edge of your seat and the author gives a good view of both sides of the war.

Addy: an American Girl *

Meet Addy

Addy Learns a Lesson

Addy’s Surprise

Happy Birthday, Addy!

Addy Saves the Day

Changes for Addy

Author: American Girl and Connie Porter

Addy Walker's family is planning a dangerous escape from slavery in the summer of 1864. But before they can make the escape, the worst happens-- Master Stevens decides to sell some of his slaves, including Poppa and Addy's brother, Sam. Addy and Momma take the terrible risk of escaping by themselves, hoping that the family eventually will be together again in Philadelphia. Set during America's own struggle over slavery, the Civil War, Addy's story is one of great courage and love-- love of family and love of freedom.

What we like about this series: These books are cute and great for young girls who want to read a story about the Civil War without a lot of war violence involved. Addy is a very sweet character and quite likeable, one of the better American Girl characters.

Age Range: 9-14

Audience: Girls

Cautions: May be a bit scary for young readers, as the slave masters are brutal and vicious.

Era: 1864-1865

Special Notes: None.

* These are the ones we’ve read, there are more

Daria’s Discovery

By Norma Jean Lutz

Daria Fisk's father is a doctor who's serving with the Union Army. When her financially-strapped mother must open their home to boarders, a wounded soldier comes to stay. Daria's twin brother, David, is thrilled by the man's stories of war, but Daria has her suspicions. Daria Solves a Mystery uses actual historical events to tell the exciting fictional story of an eleven-year-old girl caught up in the confusion and drama of America's Civil War, and shows that anyone-no matter how young or seemingly insignificant-can make a difference. Melding fiction with real events is ideal for teaching history and faith!

What we like about this book: This has real adventure in it, the kind you kids like. There’s danger for Daria and her brother and you never know where it’s going to come from! Also, they’re written from a Christian perspective and Daria is slowly learning what it means to grow to be a young Christian lady.

Age Range: 9-16

Audience: Girls, but boys would like this book, too.

Cautions: Young readers may be scared by one of the scenes that takes place later in the book. Though the outcome is good, it may be a little too intense for little kids.

Era: 1862

Special Notes: None.

                Join us next week when we take a trip to the battlefront-- and almost let a costly mistake change the outcome of the war!