Across the Lines [Paperback]

Carolyn Reeder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Twelve-year-old Edward thought of Simon as his friend and never imagined life without his companion and slave. But when the Union army invades Virginia and takes over Edward's family's plantation, Edward's family flees to nearby Petersburg, while Simon runs toward freedom. With terrific detail and historical facts woven throughout, the author crafts a story set during the actual siege at Petersburg, complete with battle scenes, descriptions of army life on both sides of the war, and what life was like, told from the point of view of two young boys--one white and one black.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9. A novel about the Civil War that takes place from May 1864, to May 1865. The story has as much introspection as action as the author shows the coming of age of two childhood companions, one black, one white. Edward (about 12), his mother, younger sister, and older brother abandon their plantation home as Union soldiers advance. They are taken in by Edward's aunt in Petersburg, a town approximately 25 miles from the Confederate capital. Edward's manservant and constant companion, Simon, has run off to taste freedom. Told alternately in Edward and Simon's voices, the story relates both of their experiences during the war. Freedom, choice, and self-respect are constant themes as are the needs and demands of friendship. The novel gets off to a slow start but picks up each time Reeder ties the action to real events. Food and paper shortages are capably described and become more than plot devices; they provide psychological clues to Edward's growing sense of self. Historically, Petersburg was significant because of its railroad lines and munitions storage. Reeder uses the setting to focus attention on the way one family endures the hardships of war. Along the way she draws fine characters, including Aunt Charlotte, a strong, independent woman who understands war as the power of evil. A solid piece of historical fiction.?Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Just before his family flees from the Yankees, who soon capture their Virginia plantation, Edward searches without success for his slave and lifelong companion, Simon. Hidden in the chimney, Simon waits for freedom and finds himself making his own way in a land ruled by the forces of war; Edward and his family are caught up in the siege of Petersburg. Simon and Edward struggle with issues of freedom, courage, and friendship in surroundings that are new to them and sometimes quite frightening. The point of view shifts from one boy to the other throughout the novel, ending a year after the plantation's capture when both boys return there and catch a glimpse of each other. The boys care but acknowledge that things will never be the same, speaking wordless volumes with a distant hand gesture in their secret language. The switch back and forth from one boy to another breaks the narrative flow at times, but there are few Civil War books for children that explore the reality of war or the subtlety of race relations as sensitively as this involving novel. Reeder shows great respect for her readers by presenting a many-faceted view of these complex issues, which are all too often simplified to the point of distortion by writers eager to present their own points of view. With believable characters and an eventful plot, this novel offers a memorable, convincing view of the Civil War through the eyes of Simon and Edward. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380730731
• ISBN-13: 978-0380730735
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Military & Wars
  • #67 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Military & Wars
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, August 13, 2005

By 

Green Marker Girl "Bernadette" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Across the Lines (Paperback)

My school required me to read this book as I went from sixth to seventh grade. I must admit, at first, I was very confused. The story line moved so quickly, and books about wars tend to be confusing. But as a sank deeper into the story, it became more rapid and expressive with each page I turned. It got to the point where I couldn't put it down. If you plan to read this by your own will, you ought to be careful. You should be an experienced reader, and maybe have a thesaurus nearby. Other than that, an exeptional book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acrosss the Lines reveiw, April 22, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Across the Lines (Paperback)

Inside the chimney parlor Simon concentrated on bracing himself against the sooty bricks " He won't find me." " He won't find me."

Carolyn Reeder's book Across the Lines is about a 12 year old boy named Edward. His parents have a slave named Simon who is a little older than Edward but Simon is more of a friend than a slave to Edward. All thoughts change when the Yankees take over and Simon runs away. Across the Lines will teach you that friendship is stronger than anything, even a cold blood war.

People might think this book is only for boys but it will interest all. This book is historical fiction and has interesting fact like the Yankees had more food and were richer than the Confederates. If you like to read a lot and you like adventure books you will like this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exposing children to the realities of war., June 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Across the Lines (Hardcover)

Across the Lines provides children with a realistic view of what two young boys went through during the time period of the Civil War.