Soldier's Heart
Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers
Author: Gary Paulsen
At the start of the Civil War in 1861, 15-year-old Charlie leaves his farm and enlists in the First Minnesota Volunteers. After experiencing the horrors of war, Charlie comes back a man changed forever. This "stark, utterly persuasive novel of combat life" ("New York Times"), by a three-time Newbery Honor winner, explores the condition of battle fatigue.
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Summary
At the start of the Civil War in 1861, 15-year-old Charlie leaves his farm and enlists in the First Minnesota Volunteers. After experiencing the horrors of war, Charlie comes back a man changed forever. This "stark, utterly persuasive novel of combat life" ("New York Times"), by a three-time Newbery Honor winner, explores the condition of battle fatigue.
Description
In June 1861, when the Civil War began, Charley Goddard enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteers. He was 15. He didn't know what a "shooting war" meant or what he was fighting for. But he didn't want to miss out on a great adventure.
The "shooting war" turned out to be the horror of combat and the wild luck of survival; how it feels to cross a field toward the enemy, waiting for fire. When he entered the service he was a boy. When he came back he was different; he was only 19, but he was a man with "soldier's heart," later known as "battle fatigue."
Awards
Winner of ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2000 Winner of ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers 2000 Winner of Massachusetts Children's Book Master List 2001 Winner of Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year 2000 Winner of Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List 2000 Nominated for Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award 2003 Nominated for Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award 1999
Critic Reviews
“"A stark, utterly persuasive novel of combat life in the Civil War that may well challenge generations of middle-school readers."--The New York Times "Paulsen's storytelling is so psychologically true that readers will feel they have lived through Charley's experience."--Publishers Weekly, Starred "The nightmare of the Civil War comes to the pages in this novel from Paulsen . . . based on the real-life experiences of a young enlistee."--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer "The novel's spare, simple language and vivid visual images of brutality and death on the battlefield make it accessible and memorable to young people."--Booklist, Starred”
"A stark, utterly persuasive novel of combat life in the Civil War that may well challenge generations of middle-school readers."--The New York Times
"Paulsen's storytelling is so psychologically true that readers will feel they have lived through Charley's experience."--Publishers Weekly, Starred
"The nightmare of the Civil War comes to the pages in this novel from Paulsen . . . based on the real-life experiences of a young enlistee."--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer
"The novel's spare, simple language and vivid visual images of brutality and death on the battlefield make it accessible and memorable to young people."--Booklist, Starred
About the Author
Gary Paulsen is the author of more than 100 books.
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