The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) [Paperback]

Janis Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: For Kids series

History explodes in this activity guide spanning the turmoil preceding secession, the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the fierce battles on land and sea, and finally the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Making butternut dye for a Rebel uniform, learning drills and signals with flags, decoding wigwag, baking hardtack, reenacting battles, and making a medicine kit bring this pivotal period in our nation’s history to life. Fascinating sidebars tell of slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, the adventures of nine-year-old drummer boy Johnny Clem, animal mascots who traveled with the troops, and friendships between enemies. The resource section includes short biographies of important figures from both sides of the war, listings of Civil War sites across the country, pertinent websites, glossary, and an index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Using a clear style and lively tone, this book provides a look at the Civil War and its leaders and includes activities such as battle reenactments and recipes for soldiers' rations. The contributions of women, African Americans, and even children are described. Sidebars provide biographical and other information about individual soldiers and events. Occasional quotes provide a humanistic view of the war. Antislavery is offered as the main reason for the war, with only a brief mention that other reasons even existed. Maps and black-and-white reproductions are scattered throughout. A lengthy resource list of historical sites, museums, and Web sites is appended. Most of the activities require adult supervision and are geared toward groups, making them ideal for classrooms.
Sarah Smith, Harrison Community Library, MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The works themselves ingeniously address the child audience and provide a wide range of creative explorations." -- Duke Gifted Letter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556523556
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523557
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Children's Books > History > Military & Wars
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1800s

More About the Author

I love history! And I hope my books will inspire kids to feel the same way. Find out more about me and my award-winning books at www.janisherbertforkids.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise history of the Civil War and 21 activities, January 30, 2004

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

The two main elements of "The Civil War for Kids: A History With 21 Activities" work independently of each other. In the main text Janis Herbert provides a concise history of the Civil War that provides a more in-depth look at that period of American history than what young students are likely to find in their textbooks at school. Herbert begins with the turmoil preceding succession and the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the battles fought on land and seas, up to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. The text is supplemented with dozens of sidebar stories providing details on everything from Lincoln's beard and Johnny Clem to what Army engineers did and what "Chickamaugua" meant. The book is illustrated with historic photographs and drawings, as well as battlefield maps. There is a time-line of the Civil War up front and a glossary, guide to officers, list of resources, bibliography and index in the back.

The other key part of this book are the 21 activities that are scattered throughout its pages and provide a wide variety of experiences to give young readers in or out of class. Some of the activities are fairly detailed, such as making a North Star Safe Quilt or your own soldier's uniform, and acting out the battle of Antietam (really, but you need 30 kids). Others are fairly simple, like making a coffee can drum and having a Rebel yell contest. Several of the activities are specific to the fighting of the war, such as creating a code, signaling with a wigwag, measuring the depth of a pond or river, building a lean-to- shelter, and making battlefield bandages. A few of the exercises are duplications of things people would have actually done during the war, such as making berry ink, a housewife sewing kit, homemade butternut dye, and hardtack. Teachers would not be expected to use even half of these exercises, but those teaching a unit on the Civil War can certainly find a couple of choice activities to use with their students. The same is true for all of the other books on history and the arts with 21 activities that you can find.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great hands on activities, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

We are using this book for a homeschool unit on the Civil War with eight-year-old twins. The chapters give them an interesting overview of this history of the war, but the hands on activities have really made them excited about what they are learning. We have made hardtack (recipe included in the book), facsimile uniforms, lean-tos, and quilts. Most of the activities can easily be accomplished by one or two kids, but some are more appropriate for an entire classroom. The graphics and photographs are exceptional. I am eager to use other books by Chicago Review Press to supplement our study.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!, July 28, 2000

By 

bert1761 (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

After buying Ms. Herbert's gorgeous "Leonardo da Vinci for Kids," I bought this book. Notwithstanding my high expectations for this book, I was not in the least bit disappointed. Ms. Herbert has again written an interesting and informative book with entertaining activities that enhance and reinforce the educational value of the book. As the previous reviewer noted, a small number of the activities in this book really need groups of children to make them effective, but overall the book can be recommended for all.

An interesting aside -- adults who enjoy this book should check out the author's first (and adult) book, which was written under the name Janis Martinson. In "The World Don't Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards," the author took the exact words of Mr. Edwards and constructed an fascinating autobiography that is also quite an interesting history lesson.