Children’s Books and the Civil War

Contributed by Julie Douglas, Family Programs Director

 The Sesquicentennial of the Civil War presents parents and teachers with a unique opportunity to introduce an important part of American history to children.  Children’s books are always a good place to start!  Many books dealing with a variety of subjects related to the Civil War are available.  Web sites full of information and age-appropriate activities are also a wonderful resource for parents and teachers.  We’ve compiled a list of some good books and sites to help you get started.

 On the Web:

http://www.gettysburgmuseum.com�
The Gettysburg Museum offers a good assortment of children’s books about the Civil War, Gettysburg, Abe Lincoln, and Black History, as well as coloring books, music, and games and puzzles about history.

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/civilwar/
Brain Pop provides animated, curriculum-based content for kids. The site features interesting videos, games, and activities to help children learn about a subject.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/civil/jb_civil_subj.html
The Library of Congress presents timelines with related anecdotes about the causes, battles, and people of the Civil War.

http://www.civilwar.org/education/students/�
The Civil War Trust is America’s largest non-profit organization devoted to the preservation of our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields. The website contains stories, maps, games, puzzles, and even a Civil War coloring book.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/kids/
The Secretary of State’s website for children provides information and links on a variety of topics related to Missouri history.

 Books (AGE 4-8)

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Nurse During the American Civil War!: A Job That’s Not for the Squeamish by Kathryn Senior (Franklin Watts 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Civil War Soldier!: A War You’d Rather Not Fight by Thomas Ratliff (Children’s Press 2004)

Both of these books from the “You Wouldn’t Want to Be” series are filled with interesting details of daily life during the Civil War era.

 

 

Clara Barton (Rookie Biographies) by Wil Mara (Children’s Press 2003)

   

 An easy -to-read biography of Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross.

 

 

 

Cecil’s Story by George Ella Lyon (Scholastic 1995)

A touching, beautifully illustrated story of a young boy awaiting the return of his father from fighting in the Civil War.

 

 

 

Books (AGES 9-12)

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco (Philolmel 1994)

Pink, a young slave, and Say, a 15 year old Union soldier, become friends when Pink rescues the injured Say. A touching and haunting story of friendship during the horror of the Civil War.

 

 

… If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America by Anne Kamma (Scholastic 2004)

Tackling a difficult subject, Kamma introduces the concept of slavery and describes the daily lives and experiences of slaves in North America.

 

 

 The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Janis Herbert (Chicago Review Press 1999)

An overview of the Civil War using interesting, hands-on activities, including crafts, drama, music, and reenactments.  Includes maps, photographs, and a list of museums and historical sites.

 

 Civil War On Sunday (Magic Tree House #21) by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House Books for Young Readers 2000)

The Magic Tree House series introduces children to historical events in engaging, easy to understand stories.  Civil War on Sunday places Jack and Annie near a battle where they meet Clara Barton, civil war nurse.  Great as a read-aloud or a read alone for independent readers.

 

 

Welcome to Addy’s World, 1864: Growing Up During America’s Civil War (American Girl) by Susan Sinnott (American Girl 1999)

Non-fiction companion book to the American Girl books featuring Addy, an African-American girl living during the time of the Civil War. 

 

 

 Books (Young Adult)

The Boys’ War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War by Jim Murphy (Sandpiper 1993)

Using firsthand accounts and excerpts from diaries and letters, The Boys’ War tells the story of the Civil War through the eyes of the young soldiers who fought it.

 

  Two Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, Terrible, and Totally True Story of the Civil War by Steve Sheinkin (Flashpoint, Reprint 2009)

Bored by textbook treatments of the Civil War, Sheinkin presents interesting facts and stories about that period of our history in an entertaining and engaging way.

 

 

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