American Adventures: Joseph's Choice: 1861 [Hardcover]

Bonnie Pryor (Author), Bert Dodson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: American Adventures

"I hope Kentucky stays neutral because I truly don't know what side to take."

At the beginning of the Civil War, Kentucky hasn't sided with the North or the South, but it seems that in Branson Mills everyone has taken sides ... except for Joseph Byers.

He knows that slavery is wrong--he sees firsthand how his friend Hannah is mistreated because of the color of her skin. Yet at the same time he recognizes how much trouble speaking out against slavery can cause. His stepfather's abolitionist actions have put the whole family in danger of the vigilante violence that is sweeping the town.

Although Joseph admires his stepfather's bravery, he is afraid to stand up for what he has come to believe. But when the violence escalates, he is forced to take action. In this gripping adventure, Joseph reaches for his own courage to try to save the lives of the people he cares about.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-In this sequel to Joseph: 1861-A Rumble of War (Morrow, 1999), the young protagonist must take a stand about slavery and the Union. The 10-year-old Kentuckian's decision is complicated by the memory of his slave-owner father and the convictions of his abolitionist stepfather. Other influences include a free black girl, a Quaker boy, a 12-year-old who joins the Confederate army, and a bully from a family of slave owners. The oversimplification of politics and history makes Joseph's choice obvious from the start, and the simplification of facts and detail about life in the 1860s gives the book a modern feel. Overall, the characters are flat and stereotypical. While Pryor's book may make history understandable and relevant to reluctant readers, the "Dear America" books (Scholastic) more accurately reflect the past.-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Set in the small Kentucky town of Branson Mills at the beginning of the Civil War, this well-crafted story gives children a startling glimpse of a community divided by greed, violence, and politics. Joseph tries to stay neutral in a town full of slave owners and Southern rights supporters: he knows slavery is wrong but isn't entirely convinced that the South shouldn't have the right to secede from the Union. He also knows that the few folks who sympathize with the Union--among them, his stepfather--are considered "Yankee traitors." But a series of increasingly violent events, including hostility directed at his family, quickly makes him realize that staying neutral is no longer possible. This new entry in the American Adventures series, a sequel to Joseph: 1861--A Rumble of War (1999), is a great vehicle for increasing awareness and understanding of this pivotal period in our country's history. It's certain to raise plenty of issues for discussion. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (August 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068817633X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688176334
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,975,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph's Choice, November 7, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Joseph's Choice: 1861 (American Adventures Series) (Paperback)

I read the book Joseph's Choice by Bonnie Pryor. In the beginning of the book The civil war is starting and Kentucky is still a neutral state. It seems that this statement is not true because people in Branson Mills start siding and friends turn against friends and people start to harm each other. Mainly Joseph's dad is getting hurt because he is an abolitionist and works to stop slavery while almost everyone else in town is for slavery. Now that all this is happening Joseph thinks it is now impossible to keep Branson Mills neutral. Now Joseph is stuck because he can't decide which side to be on. He doesn't like slavery but he knows the south can have things he is for as well. Joseph will have to decide for his own good.

I liked how the book started because there was a ton of suspense like when the two men blew up the bridge and the train almost crashed. I also liked how Matt would always have something very exciting happening to him like when the Vengeneance Comittee took his dad and he fought to get him back, and then finally the police got him back.
The books theme is a story of a war that caused a lot of problems to the people in the U.S. The lesson the author is trying to teach you is that you should always stick up for what you believe in and to never give up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifth Graders Review, March 10, 2008

By 

Miss S. - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Adventures: Joseph's Choice: 1861 (American Adventures) (Hardcover)

My fifth grade students just finished reading "Joseph's Choice" by Bonnie Pryor. They previously read, "Joseph: 1861-A Rumble of War". My students read these books as part of an ELA unit on the Civil War. As a wrap-up for this unit, I asked the students in question and answer format to review "Joseph's Choice". For classroom teachers, I think it is interesting to read book reviews from the students' perspective. Below I have written a summary of my student's reviews.

This book is full of action and suspense. It begins with a bridge explosion and a train crash adverted with seconds to spare. Mr. Byers, Joseph's stepfather, is an abolitionist in a town where the majority is on the Confederate's side. Joseph and his family are affected by Mr. Byers beliefs. Mr. Byers's business is set on fire and he is kidnapped. As the war draws closer, the reader will see how the town and Joseph change.

As my students read "Joseph's Choice" they learned important information about the Civil War. They learned the Civil War was not only about slavery, but state's rights. Some masters treated their slaves cruelly (cutting off their toes and separating families as they are sold at auctions). They learned about Kentucky and its division within the state and towns causing brothers and neighbors to fight against each other. Kentucky was neutral at the beginning of the war, but eventually joined the Union.

The students felt there were many important themes that emerged in this book. These included racial inequality, violence, peer pressure and standing up for what you believe is right.

The students all rated the book 5 stars. Their favorite parts included Hannah and Joseph stopping the train before it crashed, the Vengeance Committee tarring and feathering Mr. Byers, the town working together to put out the fire, and Joseph standing up to the Vengeance Committee.

They recommend this book to other students because there is a lot of action and it keeps you interest throughout the book. "It is an adventure every chapter and it is hard to put down." In addition, you learn information about the Civil War in a fun way.

5.0 out of 5 stars GO JOSEPH!!!, November 26, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: American Adventures: Joseph's Choice: 1861 (Hardcover)

I love all of Mrs.Pryor's books, but this one is my favorite !!!
You see our teacher read it to the class and when we finished our 2 chapters for the day, everybody would ask for one more chapter . This book is really fun to read because Mrs. Pryor really reasearched and her editor checked well. Overall, the book is beautifully written and I highly reccomend it !!