Red Cap [Paperback]

G. Clifton Wisler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Thirteen-year-old Ransom (later dubbed "Red Cap") thought fighting in the Civil War would be an adventure--until the day of his first battle. "A sober but important contribution to the growing number of Civil War novels".--Booklist. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These vivid historical novels each center on an imperiled male protagonist: in the first, a 13-year-old lies about his age to enlist in the Union Army, while The Raid brings danger for 14-year-old Lige when his brother is kidnapped in an Indian attack. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140369368
• ISBN-13: 978-0140369366
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great History Novel!, March 1, 2005

By 

Lissy Bouvier (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Cap (Paperback)

I personally loved "Red Cap." If you're reading this for school, you (or your teacher) picked a good choice! I even wrote a basic summary of the book (if you're writing a book report or something and you just can't think of what to write!). You can thank me later. ;)

This is a story about a young Yankee drummer, Ransom J. Powell that left his home because all of his friends were signing up for the army. Ransom wasn't allowed by his parents to become a drummer in the army because of his lack of height, and because he was too young. He left home without telling his family to become one of the Union Army's drummers. He said that he was 15 when he was really only 13, and he was very short, so some people had suspicions. He didn't think or know that war would be the terrible, horror occurrence that it is.

Ransom's home is in Frostburg, Maryland. Mostly, the book takes place in Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland. Ransom traveled to Piedmont, on the Maryland-Virginia border to sign up for the Union Army. This story took place in 1862; during the civil war period. Later in the story, Ransom is captured in a side battle (known now as the Battle of Moorefield Junction in January of 1864) and is shipped by train into Libby Prison camp, Andersonville from Richmond. The most important historical people mentioned in the book are Ransom Powell (Red Cap), Lewis Jones, and Captain Wirz.

One of the 2 most important conflicts in the novel is the fighting against the rebs. The rebs constantly attacked the Union Army when the Union Army traveled through (Winchester) Virginia, and on the steep, rocky soil of Droop Mountain. They even killed Ransom's friend Danny, who was also a drummer, and at age 14, lied about his age. Ransom was very upset about this and had a hard time overcoming his friends' death.

Another important conflict was at Andersonville. Ransom was against the nature, his shelter, and the fatigue that his body suffered. To him, it was like a nightmare; he was starving, not clothed well, and the guards abused him. There were also mosquitoes and deadly blood-thirsty centipedes, which only added to the problem-Ransom felt terrible all the time.

The most important decision in this novel is when Ransom decides to leave his home, like his friends, to join the Union Army, at only age 13 and barely over 4 and a half feet tall. Even though his friends were killed in the war, he wanted to go too, to prove himself. He left at night when his parents were sleeping to head for Piedmont.

The novel ended when the Union Army wanted to trade naval prisoners. Ransom lied and said he was one and was sent back home. Ransom also was given money-close to a hundred and twenty dollars-for his fighting in war and every day he was in Libby Prison. There weren't any unresolved issues-Ransom was happy because soon he was going to be sent home. Ransom was shipped back by a fourth-class carriage that traveled to Cumberland, Maryland so he could go see his family. He departed from Hank, his friend, at the end of the story and wished him the best of luck.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My thoughts on Red Cap, March 12, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Red Cap (Paperback)

who said that history wasn't for children?Red Cap was a great story of how an underaged boy was able to sneak into the Union Army during the Civil War and become a drummer-boy. The suspense carries you from the very beginning of the story, through all of Ransom's (main character) prison experience, all the way to the very last page. All of Ransom's friends and company-mates are dying of diseases such as scurvy-will he be the next victim? Read and find out!
G. Clifton Wisler did a great job of making every single character believable and with their own special personalities. Also, every situation seemed like it was actually unfolding as you read. It was a great book and I give Red Cap 5 stars!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Young Boy Becomes a Prisoner of War, April 24, 2006

By 

CoolTigersRule (Versailles, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Cap (Paperback)

Red Cap is one of Ransom J. Powell nicknames the other one is RJ. He lives in Frostburg, Maryland. He signs up for the Union army as a drummer boy. While he was in the army he sees a big battle. The battle makes him have more respect for the men fighting. He is taken as a Prisoner of War during a raid, and taken to prison. He is taken to two prisons and the last one was the worst, and that is the one he stays at the longest. At the camp many people died. Will Red Cap die or live; you will read this book and find out what happens.

I would recommend this book to war story lovers or and people that like action and adventure in their book.

I liked every thing about this book besides the ending it was ok. The end was kind of hard to follow, but you might not think so.