Annotated Bibliography

Aaseng, N. (1991).  Robert E. Lee.  Minneapolis, MN:  Lerner Publications Co. 

This is a stunning book that reveals the life of Robert E. Lee.  Aaseng focuses on the great commander who was, without question, a daring and brilliant confederate campaigns and strategies soldier, and his strengths and weaknesses as a great southern leader.  (Genre:  Biography/Informational)

Adler, D. (1989). A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln.  New York, NY:  Holiday House. 

“People called him ‘Honest Abe,’ ‘Father Abraham,’ and ‘Savior of the Union.’”  This book begins with Abraham Lincoln’s birth in Kentucky and ends with his assassination.  (Genre:  Picture Book)

Akerman, K. & Hays, M. (1990).  The Tin Heart. New York, NY:  MacMillan Publishing Co.

Two young girls, Flora and Mahaley, were best friends until they were torn apart due to different views about the Civil War.  (Genre:  Historical Fiction)

Alphin, E. (2001). Ghost Soldier. New York, NY:  Henry Holt and Company. LLC.

The ghost of a young soldier from the Civil War haunts a troubled teen in this story.  As an unusual friendship develops between the two, Alexander is drawn into a new reality were he comes face to face with the haunting past of his soldier friend.  (Genre:  Modern Fantasy)

Barkan, J. (1990). Abraham Lincoln and Presidents’ Day. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Silver Press.

A look at Abraham Lincoln’s life from his boyhood days to the end of the Civil War.  This book gives the reader a look at Lincoln’s travels as a young man and also his career as a lawyer.  (Genre:  Biography)

Bolotin, N. & Herb, A. (1995). For Home and Country:  A Civil War Scrapbook.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc. 

For the first time, Americans were fighting Americans during the devastating Civil War.  This book is record of pictures, diaries, stories, newspapers, etc. that tell of victories, defeats, and heartache suffered by the war-torn country.  (Genre:  Informational)

Borden, L. & Lewin, T. (1999).  A. Lincoln and Me. New York, NY:  Scholastic Press. 

A young skinny boy learns that Abraham Lincoln was also a little awkward during his young years.  He also learns, as he studies Lincoln, that Lincoln had a great ability to keep a nation together.  The book is wonderful for introducing young children to this great president.  (Genre:  Contemporary Realistic Fiction)

Brenner, M. (1994).  Abe Lincoln’s Hat. New York, NY:  Random House, Inc. 

Abe Lincoln didn’t have much money, but wanted to look his best when he became a lawyer.  He bought a long black coat and a tall black hat.  The tall black hat became a place to keep all of his important papers.  The book follows Abe’s life as a young lawyer to his presidential years.  He never changed his ways; he always kept important papers in his hat.  (Genre:  Picture book/Historical fiction)

Carbone, E. (1998). Stealing Freedom. New York, NY:  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

So many slaves were stripped of their families and their freedom. This true story explains the life of Ann Marie Weems.  Stripped of her family when she was 12 years old, Weems, if willing to give up the life she has, has the chance to meet her family again by traveling the Underground Railroad.  (Genre:  Biography)

Cox, C. (1991). Undying Glory:  The Story of the Massachusetts 54^th Regiment.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc. 

The 54^th regiment of Massachusetts, better known as the “Glory” regiment, was composed of all black soldiers as young as 16 years to 40 years.  The courageous men fought for the Union, risking their lives to free their families from slavery.  (Genre:  Multicultural)

Fontes, J. & Fontes, R. (2001). Abraham Lincoln:  Lawyer, Leader, and Legend.    London, England:  Dorling Kindersley Ltd.

This book takes the reader from Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginning in a log cabin in Kentucky to his death in Washington D.C.  Abe held many important positions throughout his life and always worked for the good of all people.  (Genre:  Informational)

Gauch, P. (1991). Thunder at Gettysburg. New York, NY:  Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. 

In the summer of 1863, Tillie Pierce was sent from her hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to live on a neighbor’s farm for safety.  The Civil War was just beginning and Tillie wanted the Union soldiers of the north to win.  But even the farm did not offer her the protection she needed and she found herself right in the middle of the battle.   (Genre:  Historical fiction)

Gorrell, G. (1996). North Star to Freedom. New York, NY:  Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

A history of the Underground Railroad, from the origins of slavery to the period beyond the Civil War.  The book takes the reader on a journey from the over-crowded slave ships from Africa, to the risky railroad routes to freedom, and finally to freedom in the north.  Each step the slaves took presented challenges and fears to overcome if freedom was to be theirs.   (Genre:  Historical fiction)

Hargrove, J. (1988).  Encyclopedia of Presidents:  Abraham Lincoln. Chicago, IL:  Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises, Inc. 

This is an encyclopedia of President Lincoln that explains his life, trials of his presidency, the Civil War, and his death.  (Genre:  Informational)

Haskins, J. (1993). Get on Board:  The Story of the Underground Railroad.  New York, NY:  Scholastic.

Few records of the Underground Railroad were kept, but many of the stories survive today.  Slaves came up with ingenious plans to escape to freedom; some even included long dangerous journeys to safety.  (Genre:  Informational)

Hesse, K. (1999).  A Light in the Storm:  The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin.  New York, NY:  Scholastic. 

A realistic account of the Civil War is presented by Amelia Martin.  Stories of family hardships and struggles are talked about in the diary entries dated throughout the Civil War.  (Genre:  Historical fiction)

Housten, G. (1998). Bright Freedom’s Song. Orlando, FL:  Harcourt Brace and Company. 

This book is a very passionate and compelling book that discusses the true heroism of a girl and her family, who provide a safe house for slaves and the Underground Railroad.  (Genre:  Biography)

Johnsten, N. (1999).  Over Jordan. New York, NY:  Avon Books, Inc.   

During the times leading to the Civil War, so many slaves helped one another to safety.  Over Jordan is a gripping story about a 14 year old who helps her servant and his fiancé’s escape to freedom and they were aided by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  (Genre:  Historical fiction)

Kay, E. (1997). Americans of Character:  Abraham Lincoln. San Diego, CA:  Young Peoples Press. 

Each section of this book revolves around an important trait that people of character possess and how president Lincoln’s qualities made him the respectable person that he was.  (Genre:  Informational)

Lincoln, A. (1995). The Gettysburg Address. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Michael McCurdy excellently illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s riveting Gettysburg Address.  (Genre:  Picture book)

Livingston, M. (1993).  Abraham Lincoln, A Man for All the People. New York, NY:  Holiday House, Inc.

This ballad narrates Abraham Lincoln’s life through excellent illustrations and some of Lincoln’s famous quotes.  The book gives an overall picture of Lincoln’s childhood through his assassination.  (Genre:  Poetry)

Marrin, A. (1994).  Unconditional Surrender:  U.S. Grant and the Civil War.  New York, NY:  Macmillan Publishing Co. 

As we all know, U.S. Grant was one of the most influential generals during the Civil War for the union.  Marrin recounts Grant’s life and his race in the Civil War.  (Genre:  Informational)

McKissack, P. (1997).  A Picture of Freedom:  The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc. 

This is a fictional story about a young slave girl who, even though it is against the law, learns to read and write.  The diary takes the reader on a day-by-day journey through the life of this brave young girl as she tries to understand and survive the life she is forced to live.  (Genre:  Multicultural/Historical fiction)

McKissack, P. & McKissack, F. (2003). Days of Jubilee. New  York, NY:  Scholastic Press.

This is a great passage by the McKissacks that explains, through narratives, letters, and diaries, the days and weeks leading to freedom.  The book focuses on the Emancipation Proclamation, which is the document that freed the slaves.  (Genre:  Informational)

Murphy, J. (1990). The Boys’ War:  Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc.

Young children, some of them only 12 years old, were fighting against grown men in the Civil War. They did it for many different reasons.  Some were protecting their families, some just wanted to escape their homes, and others were fighting against slavery.  This book is based on the true stories and diaries of how the boys lived and survived the Civil War.  (Genre:  Informational)

Murphy, J.(1992). The Long Road to Gettysburg. New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc.

This book recounts the hardships and anxieties of the battle.  The book conveys firsthand accounts of the battle by confederate Lt. John Dooley and union soldier Thomas Galway, to recount the trials of preparing for battle, the rigorous days of fighting and the heartache of treating the injured and burying the dead.  (Genre: Informational)

Porter, C. (1994). Happy Birthday, Addy!  A Springtime Story.  Middleton, WI: Pleasant Company Publications. 

It is the first Spring that Addy and her parents have spent in Philadelphia since moving into the boarding house.  Like many people who grew up in slavery, Addy does not know when she was born.  Addy meets a new friend, M’dear, who encourages her to claim a day for her birthday. M’dear also helps Addy to overcome anger and fear as she faces prejudice and danger.    (Genre:  Historical fiction)

Ray, D. (1991). Behind the Blue and Gray:  The Soldier’s Life in the Civil War.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc. 

This book explores the lives of Union and Confederate soldiers.  Comparisons are made between their uniforms, strategies, drafts, and survival techniques.  (Genre:  Informational)

Shura, M. (1991). Gentle Annie – The True Story of a Civil War Nurse.  New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc. 

This is a true story about 16 year old Annie Etheridge.  Annie was a fearless nurse who faced battle to help the troops.  She was the only nurse to remain of 17 nurses when the troops went to battle.  (Genre:  Biography)

Sullivan, G. (2000). Abraham Lincoln. New York, NY:  Scholastic, Inc.

George Sullivan travels through the life of Abraham Lincoln as he develops from a young man to the greatest United States president.  Sullivan writes about the hardships and experiences President Abraham Lincoln survived.  (Genre: Biography)

Van Steenwyk, E. (2000). When Abraham Talked to the Trees. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 

A wonderfully illustrated book about how Abraham Lincoln would practice giving speeches.  Lincoln would speak to anyone who would take the time to listen to him.  If no one were available to listen, he would practice his speeches to the trees in the woods.  This was how Abraham Lincoln became one of the greatest speakers in history.  (Genre:  Biography)

Winnick, K. (1996).  Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.  Honesdale, PA:  Caroline House Boyds Mills Press, Inc. 

An amusing true story about how Abraham Lincoln decided to grow his beard.  An eleven-year old girl named Grace Bedell had seen a photograph of Lincoln and felt that his face looked to thin.  She wrote a letter to him suggesting that if he grew a beard he might receive more votes, especially from the women.  During a whistle stop visit to Grace’s hometown, Abraham Lincoln stopped to see what Grace thought about the beard he decided to grow.  (Genre:  Informational)

Winter, J. (1988). Follow the Drinking Gourd. New York, NY:  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

The story about the legendary one-legged railroad conductor, Peg Leg Joe.  He befriended the slaves and taught them a folk song name “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”  Within the lyrics were hidden directions to the Underground Railroad.  The Drinking Gourd referred to the Big Dipper constellation.  The slaves were led to safe places in the north by following the hidden directions and the stars.  (Genre:  Poetry)

Wroble, L. (1997).  Kids During the American Civil War. New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 

This book gives an interesting account of life in the north and south during the Civil War.  Throughout the book are definitions and pronunciations of terms for many different items used during the Civil War.  A brief overview is given on food, clothing and schooling of the young children of the Civil War.  (Genre:  Informational)