Girl In Blue [Hardcover]

Ann Rinaldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up

As an adolescent, Sarah Louisa Wheelock vowed never to let a man control her. With this unshakable conviction, she abandoned her life on a Michigan farm and disguised herself as a boy so she could fight in the Civil War. Ann Rinaldi¹s well-researched and superbly wrought narrative illuminates the courage and audacity of this colorful historical figure.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Rinaldi (Coffin Quilt; Wolf by the Ears) delivers another fast-paced Civil War adventure, this time about a Michigan girl who masquerades as a Union soldier and then becomes a Pinkerton spy. Readers will immediately like 16-year-old Sarah, introduced just as she is planning to shoot at the lecherous widower whom her abusive father intends for her to marry. Before long, Sarah has enlisted in the Second Michigan under the alias Neddy Compton. Rinaldi rather quickly describes Sarah's efforts to conceal her identity (she cuts her hair and avoids the latrine), and more exacting readers may also wonder how she hides menstruation and breasts. On the other hand, the rapid narrative doesn't leave the audience too much time to question Rinaldi's devices. Sarah works for a Union doctor, enters into battle and shoots her first Rebel, then carries out a dying man's poignant last request. When her secret is at last discovered, she is pressed into service as a spy and thrust undercover as a maid for a notorious Confederate socialite and spy. There Sarah craftily deduces how her Mata Hari mistress ferrets messages behind enemy lines, and there, too, Sarah falls in love with the rakish Lieutenant Sheldon, who may or may not be a traitor. The relationships between the characters do not seem as strong as the narrative claims, however; fortunately, Sarah's force of personality is enough to hold readers. Ages 9-14.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Inspired by the war fever of 1861, and tired of her father's mistreatment, 15-year-old Sarah Wheelock determines to run away and join the Union forces to fight the Confederacy. The last straw comes when her father promises her hand in marriage to a man who is twice her age and has the manners of a bear. After she cuts her hair, changes clothes, and lowers her voice, Sarah has few problems passing as a boy: years of hard farm labor have toughened her physically, and she has a natural talent for impersonation. Soon, young Private "Neddy Compton" is on the road to Washington, DC, with the 2nd Michigan Infantry. Despite being a model enlisted "man," Sarah is unmasked, and is transferred into the Secret Service, part of Allan Pinkerton's network of spies. Her acting skills are tested in a new and dangerous disguise, as a servant to notorious Rose Greenhow and other Southern sympathizers who are being held under house arrest. Here, the young woman's patriotism, loyalty, and intelligence will be tested beyond anything she experienced as a soldier. While Sarah and the other characters lack depth, Rinaldi's novel offers an exciting plot based on solid historical research.-Starr E. Smith, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 310 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439073367
• ISBN-13: 978-0439073363
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,607,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for bringing history vividly to life. A self-made writer and newspaper columnist for twenty-one years, Ms. Rinaldi attributes her interest in history to her son, who enlisted her to take part in historical reenactments up and down the East Coast. She lives with her husband in central New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girl in Blue, September 14, 2003

By 

Jessica (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl In Blue (Hardcover)

Girl in Blue is an excellent book. In this book, set in the times of the Civil War, Sarah Louisa in being harshly mistreated by her father and betrothed to an awful man who tries to touch her at every opportunity. Sarah knows she won't stand for it. She won't marry a man who she knows will beat her. So she disguises as a boy and runs away to join the army and fight for the Union. While entertaining people in the hospital, Mr. Pinkerton notices she has skil in mimicry. When her true sex is discovered, she is offered to become a spy. So the she works in a suspected spy for the Confederasy's house as a 'maid.' She learns to adapt to life in a world where she can trust know one. She also learns the true meaning of loyalty to one's country.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good historical novel by Ann Rinaldi, August 2, 2002

By 

hiphopgirl_1000 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl In Blue (Hardcover)

Desperate to flee the control of a demanding, abusive father and a marriage to her despicable neighbor Ezekie Kunkle, who is twice her age, sixteen-year-old Sarah runs away from home and cleverly disguises herself as a man and joins the 2nd Michigan Infantry during the Civil Wars. Posing as "Neddy Compton" Sarah soon learns the horrors of war as she participates in the battle of Bull Run. When her true identity is finally revealed, Sarah finds she must choose between jail or posing as a spie for Allan Pinkerton, head of the Pinkerton Detective Agensy, who observes that she has a talent in the art of mimicry. Not wanting to go to jail, Sarah agrees to pose as a spy to investigate Rose Greenhow, who is thought to be a spy for the Rebels. What Sarah doesn't expect is the lies, love, betrayal, and intrigue that will come with this new, dangerous job.

I am a big fan of Ann Rinaldi, and though "Girl in Blue" I felt was not her best work, it was still a pretty good book. Though at times the book was a little slow going, especially during the time Sarah does her spy work, it is still one to be read. If you like this book I am sure you will also enjoy Amelia's War, another Civil War historical by Ann Rinaldi.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling Civil War tale, April 24, 2002

By 

Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl In Blue (Hardcover)

Ever since she was 13 Sarah has known that she'd never give her life up to a man. But if her father gets his way she'll have to marry a horrible man twice her age that she detests. So when she learn that the Union is looking for soldiers, she disguises herself as a man and quickly signs up. She starts out as a male nurse and soon moves to battle. But when people find out her true sex they are shocked and impressed at Sara's gift for mimicry. They sign her up to work for a spy with Mr. Pinkerton and her first job, to find the Diary of secrets of a fiery confederate female spy, is tougher than she ever suspects.

I enjoyed this book very much, I read it all in one day. Sarah's tale is thrilling and accurate to the time it took place. If you enjoy suspenseful historical fiction novels with a bit of adventure and a dash of romance this is for you. Although it doesn't measure up to other Anne Rinaldi books I've read (I found her descriptions to be too brief as someone here already said and occasionally a bit forced) it's defiantly worth a look at. You'll read it in one day I guarantee it.