A Voice from the Border [Hardcover]

Pamela Smith Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

Living in the border state of Missouri during the Civil War, fifteen-year-old Reeves tries to understand her father's decision regarding their slaves.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-This historical novel introduces a complex aspect of the American Civil War seldom dealt with in fiction for young people. The main characters are residents of Missouri, a border state. They are slave-holding secessionists but have friends and neighbors who are Union sympathizers. Some of these same neighbors also own slaves. Reeves, the narrator, is a bright 15 year old who records all that is happening around her. Her beloved father is killed in an early battle and her family's home is commandeered as a residence for a Union captain and his mean-spirited wife. Amid all of the turmoil, the household slaves remain stoic yet apparently loyal. The author does a good job of describing the complexities of the relationships among Union loyalists, secessionists, slaves, and slave owners who worked side by side even as the war raged around them. Reeves's sympathies lie clearly on the side of freeing their slaves. Still, she has no sympathy for the Jayhawkers, who are portrayed here as lawless ruffians. The characterizations are believable if a bit overdone at times. The captain's wife has no redeeming features; she serves the plot by giving readers a villainous character to despise. The slaves are not well developed, perhaps because they are seen always from Reeves's perspective. Still, this is a well-researched historical novel that should hold readers' attention. Pair it with Patricia Beatty's Jayhawker (Morrow, 1991), which is set in the same area but gives a sympathetic view of the Jayhawkers and a less friendly portrayal of the Confederates and slave owners.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Pamela Smith Hill was born in Springfield, Missouri, where she developed her long-abiding interest in the Civil War. After receiving a master's degree in English literature from the University of South Dakota, she began a career in advertising and public relations that led to teaching posts at universities in Colorado and Oregon. Ms. Hill now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family. She is also the author of Ghost Horses.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082341356X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823413560
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, romantic Civil War novel, August 10, 2001

By 

"evilgrrlfriday" (the US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Voice from the Border (Paperback)

While a lot of Civil War novels tend to focus on very well known battles or on the East coast, "A Voice From The Border" takes place in one of the most torn states during the war: Missouri, where Unionists and Secessionists battled each other and set up rival governments.

"A Voice From The Border" is about fifteen year old Reeves, whose father joins the Confederate side during the war. Reeves' neighbors are divided over the war, and even she is not entirely sure. Reeves' eleven year old sister, Lucy becomes friends with a staunchly pro-Union woman, Mrs. Brown, much to her family's distress. Reeves herself falls in love with Percy, a charming young Union officer.

Reeves' story is interwoven with quotes from writers such as Keats, George Eliot and Shakespeare and military dispatches. While "A Voice From The Border" starts out a bit slow and confusing, it gets much better later on as Reeves struggles with an increasingly difficult life. The only thing that's regrettable is that the romance between Reeves and Percy never really develops, though that is for a purpose. It's a very different take on a popular subject.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Voice From the Border, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Voice from the Border (Hardcover)

It was a wonderful book. Even if you are not interested in the Civil War, you cannot put this down. It's a great book for all ages. It has both interesting historical facts and human-interest issues.

4.0 out of 5 stars My review for this book, April 2, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Voice from the Border

I liked this book because it has a good plot and it had a good problem. This book is set in Springfeild, Missouri in 1860-61.The main character is Reeves. She is suffering with the problem of her father is a confederate and she likes a Yankee. She is pressured both ways. It teaches that war is an ugly thing. I love this book except ater the climax is a little boring. All and all I give this book 8/10 or 4 stars.

-McKenzie