Customer Reviews

Black Angels

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Three children, each with their own harrowing stories of pain and loss, find each other in the woods in the midst of Civil War terror. Luke, just eleven years old, is a run-away slave determined to head North in search of freedom. Daylily, two years younger, has just witnessed a brutal set of murders and is paralyzed with fear and shock. Little Caswell, the only white child in the group, lost his mother in the panic of an attack by Yankee soldiers and is desperately confused about where to go.

As the oldest and equipped with a gun, Luke quickly takes on the role of leader and caregiver as he guides the other two through the woods in search of food, water, and shelter. As they struggle to overcome incredible danger, sickness, and hunger, they learn to love and trust not only each other, but also two women who serendipitously take on guardian roles in their journey to freedom and safety.

Black Angels provides an eye-opening account of some of the traumatic aspects of slavery, the Civil War, and the post-war treatment of African Americans, as well as a story of how love and support help three children to navigate this trauma and grow stronger. Added to the mix are important lessons in economics related to scarcity, discrimination, and the institution of slavery. Some of the violent scenes make this book more appropriate for older children and young adults, who will undoubtedly walk away with a deeper understanding of the Civil War era and a stronger appreciation for social justice.

BLACK ANGELS is the beautifully-crafted story of three children - two escaped slaves and one lost white boy - on the run during the heart of the Civil War. Luke and Daylily seek freedom in the north while little Caswell just wants to find his "mamadear." With his home turned to ashes by the Rebs, Caswell's all alone - he has little choice but to tag along with the other children. Feeling responsible for his young charges, Luke leads them toward Harper's Ferry. It's a long journey, fraught with danger from soldiers, wild animals, starvation, fever, and so on. Each new adventure bonds the kids together until they've formed the strongest sort of family. Even in the enlightened North, black and white children can never be brothers and sisters - after all they've been through, will Luke, Daylily and Caswell see their family ripped apart? Will any of them find the kind of world in which they long to live, the kind where friendship and love matter more than skin color?

One of my favorite reads of the year, this is an unflinchingly honest, but tender story about courage, faith and friendship. It's engrossing, moving and memorable. I loved it.

BLACK ANGELS is targeted for young people, but like all great literature, it's appeal is universal and ageless. As the children of this compelling novel bravely grapple with the consequences of senseless ware and racism, we realize how relevant their story is for our time. Luke, Daylilly and Caswell are presented to us with such moving depth and insight, we take them into a permanent place in our hearts as we have the children of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Following the challenging journey of these children, we are hooked from the first page to the last.

Just one warning: you will get so engaged you're likely to be sorry it ends and find yourself saying, "Please, Linda Brown, continue the story."

Dr. Brown has written a book that should be required reading for all students studying the Civil War as well as other wars. Too often we forget the quiet tragedies in wars - the children. This well-written riveting book shows us the innocence and survival of small children (ages 7,9 and 11) and what the war has taken away from them. Dr. Brown has given us a gift of her prose. Book clubs would benefit by using this book - 2 of the children are Black and one is white and the interactions between them would stimulate much discussion. I highly recommend Black Angels as a must read.

As two runaway slave children and a small lost white boy struggle to survive and succeed in the woods of the Civil War South, some profound change and bonding takes place.

Dr Brown has given us a treasure on various aspects of 'family' and what it means. Positive and negative. Liberating and controlling.

The scenes and descriptions bring hard times to life, calling us all not to forget, but to remember and learn.

This is an involving book, one that well deserves to be widely read. I would strongly recommend it high school history classes that can discuss it openly.

Ralph Cauthen
Social Worker in Greensboro, NC

I purchased this book for my grandson, I read the book and I am really happy I did, this is on of the most wonderful well written books I have ever incountered for young readers. I look forward to reading other books written by this author.

Dr. Welch

I have read quite a few books about the Civil War and its stories still continue to amaze me. Black Angels is one of the more "hard-core", if you will, books I've read about this subject because it carries the weight of young perspectives and a whole lot of gritty truth. Not only were Will, Daylily, and Caswell lost and alone, they faced things that many adults may not have ever had to go through. I think I liked this book because of it's vividness and honesty. If you don't have those things, you don't have a truthful story. Life was harsh back then and Brown did a fascinating job on capturing not only with the terrible battle scenes and struggles, but the language of the characters as well. I felt, even though Will (the oldest character in the book) is only eleven, his voice will hold an older reader's attention as well as someone as young as himself; and although the old timey language may put some off, I still think it's a great addition to the story and the character's personalities.The only thing that I happen to dislike about Civil War era books is that they describe the Civil War as being about acceptance and freeing slaves. The Civil War was not about the slaves, it was about power and money--black slaves were just part of the bargain. I didn't much care for the ending either because it just stopped with Will, Daylily, and Caswell seeing each other again for the first time in ten years. I would have liked to find out what happened to them, but I guess Brown left that up to your imagination.With that said, Black Angels is still a honest and breath taking story about the Civil War. I would recommend to tweens and young adults who like history or just a good timeless tale of courage and hope.

|Age Group: Ages 11+|Content: A scene of sensuality and some graphic details of gore|
|Recommend?| Yes

[...]

"Black Angels" held my attention even though I am definitely not a young reader. The descriptions were sparsely worded but exceedingly vivid. I was particularly struck by the way Dr. Brown described the battle scenes. The approach through the eyes of children was unique. Brava!!