The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale (Tale of Young Americans) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Robert Papp (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–This Civil War story resonates with courage and fear, love and loyalty. Eleven-year-old Gabriel has followed his 16-year-old brother Davy to war after their older brothers were killed fighting. As a bugler for the Union Army, Gabe has the important job of blowing orders to the troops. On the day before the Battle of Gettysburg, he is afraid and seeks comfort at a nearby creek. As he quietly practices his bugle calls, he is surprised to hear them answered with the reverse commands. He meets Orlee, a young Confederate bugler who is fishing in the stream. The boys share an interlude that has nothing to do with the imminent battle and they part, hoping to meet again. The next day, as Gabe's regiment marches into the fray, he must figure out a way to save Davy from danger in the front lines and to honor his new friendship. The well-rendered paintings are hauntingly detailed and place readers right in the action. They realistically convey the setting, the intensity of battle, and the emotions of the characters. This book puts a human face on one of our country's bloodiest confrontations and will spark discussion about the Civil War and about how people can be friends even if they have different beliefs.–Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Eleven-year-old Gabe's two older brothers have already died in battle, but he still decides to accompany Davy, his "last brother," when he joins the Union Army. They march to Gettysburg, and three days of fighting and death are seen through Gabe's eyes. But there are personal moments as well. Gabe meets Orlee, a Confederate bugle boy almost his mirror image; worries about his brother; practices the 60 calls that every bugler needed to know. Papp's richly colored illustrations resemble tableaux: their dramatic poses and fully realized figures recall N. C. Wyeth--or the movies. Readers won't learn much about the war or the battle, but they will get a sense of its sorrow and hardship. Noble says her tale is based on family history, and Papp thanks a reenactment group for its research assistance. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585362530
• ISBN-13: 978-1585362530
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #536,165 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traitor or hero?, September 15, 2007

By	Joan "a compulsive reader" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

Set at the battle of Gettysburg this is story that does not glorify war. Instead, it gets children thinking about the fact that war often involves senseless death. Questions to ask after reading this book: Does the young Union bugle boy make the right decision? Is he a hero or a traitor? Ask young readers to look at his decision to halt the charge from the points of view of the different players in the war - his brother, his parents, his Conferderate counterpart, the generals, and even President Lincoln. Although this is a picture book, its message is one that can be debated even by high school students.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the Civil War, July 17, 2009

By	Tracy L. Polyak "honey bunny mom" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book with my 4yo who has been asking about the Civil War, which is a lot harder to explain than other wars. I was afraid that it would be above her head, as there is a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary (much of it military-related). But she waded through it, asking me what the words meant. It is hard to tell how much she understood, but it gave us the chance to talk about topics like honesty, loyalty, friends and enemies, obedience, responsibility, etc.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Done, November 29, 2008

By	Lynda Foote "Larue" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We have all read the....tales of opposing soldiers who find a moment of peace with each other. This book tells the same tale. Two buglers from a Civil War battle, fishing together in a secret spot, while all around them doom is planned. The pictures are beautiful. The story is timeless. You will not be disappointed. Every classroom should have this book in it's library.