Caves, Cannons and Crinolines [Kindle Edition]

Beverly Stowe McClure (Author)

Book Description

In May of 1863, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford decides to enlist in the Confederate Army. Two incidents trigger her decision. First, for months General Ulysses S. Grant and his Federal troops have been shelling Vicksburg, Mississippi. To control Vicksburg is to control the Mississippi River. Now, Vicksburg is under siege, cut off from the rest of the world.

Caves, Cannons and Crinolines is the story of Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford and her family's daily struggle to survive a changing way of life during the American Civil War. This is a story of fear, courage, and understanding that people, no matter where they live, have the same needs: love, peace and security.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Gold Winner Children's Literary Classics YA Fiction 2012
Finalist Eric Hoffer YA 2012
Honor Reader's Favorite YA Fiction 2012
Next Generation Indie Book Award 2011
Finalist Global eBook Award Teen 2011

About the Author

Beverly Stowe McClure is the author of novels for teens including Listen to the Ghost and Rebel in Blue Jeans. A native Texan, she lives in the country with her husband and cat.

Product Details

• File Size: 335 KB
• Print Length: 156 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1606191128
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Twilight Times Books; First edition (June 15, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003T0HACO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,613 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable historical fiction July 15, 2010

By Wayne S. Walker VINE™ VOICE

Format:Perfect Paperback

Do you know what a crinoline is? Most young ladies today would have no idea. However, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford is a fictional young lady, who lives at Vicksburg, MS, in 1861 during the Siege of Vicksburg by General Grant and his Union forces. Her father is a physician at the local hospital. Her two older brothers, Joseph and Willie, are soldiers in the Confederate Army fighting in Virginia. She, her mother, her younger brother Nathan (Nat) who seems slightly slow-witted, and their two servants are forced to live in a nearby cave while the Union cannons are shelling Vicksburg. Patrick, the young man who had been sweet on her, signed up with Joseph and Willie, but he had already been killed.
Lizzie has a rebellious streak, and feeling great anger toward the Union forces due to all the changes they forced in the Stamfords' lives, she puts aside her crinoline, which is a hoop skirt with a petticoat of highly sized, stiff fabric to make it flare, and sneaks out, disguised as a boy dressed in Nat's clothes calling herself Eli, to join General Pemberton's Confederate defenders. However, that does not go too well, especially after Private Arnold, who had become like a mentor to her, is killed right before her eyes, so she decides to return home. On the way, she discovers a Yankee soldier, Private Benjamin Clayton from Ohio, who had been shot in the arm, and, thinking about what she would want people to do if they found either of her brothers injured, she took him home where her father attended to his wounds. The soldier leaves a few days later in the confusion when the Stamfords receive a letter about Willie. Will it be good news or bad news? And will Lizzie ever see or even hear from Ben again?
Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre of young people's literature, and Beverly Stowe McClure, author of Rebel in Blue Jeans, does a great job of presenting the Civil War for teenagers from both Southern and Northern viewpoints. There is no bad language or, for that matter, much to which anyone would object, aside from a couple of minor references to drinking alcohol. All the characters are portrayed quite naturally, and the action is carried forth in a way that will keep the reader turning the pages. One can really get a feel for how the war affected the lives of the people who experienced it. Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines would make good historical fiction supplementary reading in connection with any study of the Civil War, especially the capture of Vicksburg.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing read, not to be missed for historical fiction readers October 7, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Perfect Paperback

Even when the world is coming down around you, the need for love and comfort is more important than ever. "Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines" tells the story of Lizzie Stamford and her family as they struggle to survive and live their lives as the American Civil War explodes around them. Through the chaos around them, they try to remember what is truly important in their lives. "Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines" is an intriguing read, not to be missed for historical fiction readers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Historical Fiction September 7, 2010

By pksm

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The main character, Lizzie, is a wonderful blend of strength and vulnerability. She is faced with changes in her life that she neither wants nor likes and she is determined not to accept all of them. The supporting characters in this story are equally likeable and very believable.

This historical fiction is steeped in emotion, danger and trauma. It is so compelling that I didn't realize I was approaching the end (read it on my Kindle) and was sorely dissappointed when I found I had reached it. I would have loved for this adventure to continue.

More About the Author

When Beverly was a child she hated to read. She hated to write. She was grown and married, with children, before she discovered what she was missing. Reading to her sons was the beginning. Then she started teaching and read to her students. Today, she's retired and reads every spare minute. When she's not reading she is writing.

She lives in the country with her husband, two cats that adopted her, and a variety of wild critters that stop by for a handout. Her five novels for teen readers,Life on Hold, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, and Rebel in Blue Jeans are available here on Amazon. Just Breeze, a MG/tween novel is available in print and Kindle. Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is an Honor Book in the 2012 Eric Hoffer Awards YA Category. It's also a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Awards, novella category, and in the Dan Poynter eBook Global Awards, teen division. Her first picture book, Frankie's Perfect Home, is absolutely gorgeous thanks to Alex Morris' beautiful illustrations. And her first easy reader, Tumbleweed Christmas, has the neatest characters illustrated by Bridget McKenna. available.

Life is good.

If you have comments or questions, Beverly is happy to answer them. Her blog is http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com. Website: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com She loves visitors. Please leave a comment.