A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Reader's Hist- Civil War) [Hardcover]

Ina Chang (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Young Reader's Hist- Civil War

Stirring vignettes from such notables as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Clara Barton, Harriet Tubman, Soujourner Truth, and Louisa May Alcott, as well as portraits of lesser known but equally courageous individuals, comprise this eye-opening third volume in the Young Readers' History of the Civil War series. Archival photographs and illustrations throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- Chang introduces many familiar names, such as Harriet Tubman, Belle Boyd, and Clara Barton, as well as women who rolled bandages at home, nursed injured soldiers near the front, or fought disguised as men. Through her use of primary-source materials such as letters and diaries, the author personalizes this history without whitewashing it. She also captures the prejudice faced by those women with nerve enough to assist in the war effort in a more public way, especially their poor treatment by men. In one of the most vivid passages, she describes Sojourner Truth facing down an audience of hostile men and bringing them to their feet cheering. The black-and-white archival photographs and reproductions are excellent, some showing how women continued to be portrayed as ``delicate and demure'' even though their work required determination and energy. This is valuable addition to American history and women's studies collections. --Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

In the ``Young Readers' History of the Civil War'' series, a survey of women's many roles, vividly illuminated with dozens of personal stories of both the famous and the obscure. Beginning with abolitionist Angelina Grimk‚, who was born a wealthy South Carolinian but moved to Philadelphia because she abhorred slavery, Chang introduces several other prewar ``Voices for Freedom,'' both black and white, from North and South. Succeeding chapters discuss ``Supplying the Armies'' (not just with sewing skills but with organizational genius); doctors and nurses who had to endure male doctors' prejudices in addition to the appalling hospital conditions; clever and courageous spies and the many women, some never revealed, who posed as men to serve as soldiers; trials and sorrows on the home front, including taking on men's roles and coping with shortages (there were bread riots all over the South); and, finally, the aftermath, when Angelina Grimk‚ reappears to discover that she has half-black nephews, put them through college and graduate school, and declare that ``these young men...far exceed in talents any of my other Grimk‚ nephews.'' Archival photos and engravings, maps, broadsides, cartoons, and boxed treatment of special topics are all skillfully chosen to support the fascinating, well-organized text. This book is Chang's debut: a splendid achievement. Bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525673652
• ISBN-13: 978-0525673651
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,957,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > Black History

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars REAL GIRL POWER!, November 2, 1999

By 

Diana ([e-mail]) (Lakeland, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War) (Paperback)

I bought this book while working on a Women's History project for college and also to help with Civil War living history presentations. Because this book is for young readers I have not used if for much more than an overview and to point out photographs (which are wonderful) during my presentations. However, I recommend this book for any young reader interested in history or teacher wishing to include more women into the curriculum. It gives a great overview of women's roles during the Civil War, how their lives changes, what roles they took on, and what struggles they endured! Now that is GIRL POWER!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction format will grab the most apprehensive reader, July 17, 2004

By 

Teacher Friend "middleschoolssteacher" (Fort Campbell, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War) (Paperback)

The text looks at the famous and not so famous women who participated in the Civil War. It is written in a narrative format, more like a fictional text than a non-fiction. The book is filled with original pictures and short informational biographies of the most important women featured. The illustrations are very large and would be nice to use with an opaque projector when speaking about some of the women or events covered in the book. I also think it would be an excellent book for independent reading due to the format.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars civil war pic, May 9, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War) (Paperback)

this book has tons of info on women and nurses in the Civil WAr