Bull Run
by Paul Fleischman

Why Your 5th- 9th grader will enjoy reading Bull Run

The Civil War is a compelling historic subject. There is so much tragedy as brother fought against brother. In this telling of the first great battle Fleischman presents the voices of both North and South and encourages the reader to learn from and respect both the Union and Confederate points of view. One of the characters is Toby Boyce an eleven year-old "desperate to kill a Yankee before the supply ran out." The independent reader, ages 10 and up, may especially identify with his story.

Synopsis

Northerners, Southerners, generals, couriers, dreaming boys, and worried sisters describe the glory, the horror, the thrill, and the disillusionment of the first battle of the Civil War in Virginia, the campaign at Bull Run (Manassas.)

Description

Sixteen characters from the North and South and from all walks of life tell their Battle of Bull Run stories in two-page vignettes. The characters weave in and out so the reader may read the story of Colonel Oliver Brattle from the Southern army followed two pages later by the story of Lily Malloy of Minnesota. Though this can be a bit confusing, it also serves to offer a real insight to the thoughts and feelings of people on both sides of the conflict. To lessen the confusion Mr. Fleischman lists the speakers, the pages on which they tell their stories, and their geographical allegiance. Because the characters speak in two-page narrations, this book could also serve as a resource for a Reader's Theater or play.