The Storm Before Atlanta by Karen Schwabach

Jeremy's one goal in life is to die a heroic death as a soldier in Civil War.  So he's only 11 and is acceptable only as a drummer boy.  They go into action, too.


Random House Books for Young Readers sent me a hardcover of this book for review (thank you).  It was published at the end of December, so you can find a copy at your local bookstore now.


This is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  The war between the states and even between families ended with many dead, a lot of land destroyed, and a lot of hurt to be healed before the country would become whole again.


Jeremy is young and naive.  His father is in prison, he's indentured, he has no future, he may as well die as a hero in the war.  Then people would remember him and he'd have some status in life.


He certainly never expected to run into an escaping slave or to become friends with a young boy on the other side.  He also has a lot to learn about the men in the company with him.


Ms. Schwabach does a good job of describing the battlefield conditions, the food or lack of it,  the men's supplies, and how right and wrong can blur on the battlefield.  The war is authentic and there's no glamor around it.  There aren't many heroes either.


This is written for ages 8-12 and is a good way for young ones to learn about the Civil War and how it impacted our country.  It would also be good to read out loud chapter by chapter and for the parent and child to have a discussion about what happened in that chapter and why.  Use it as a history lesson.  It won't feel like one, but they will learn.