A Ballad of the Civil War

This book of historical fiction about the Civil War for young readers opens in 1862 with 21-year-old Tom Rigby, a Union Cavalry officer, riding his horse through a storm back to camp. The sight of a wounded Confederate soldier by the side of the road, who might be his twin brother Jack, leads into the history of the brothers' relationship. The boys had grown up on a plantation in Virginia and were given a personal slave named Aaron, who was a few years older than they were, as a christening present. However, on their ninth birthday, Aaron, who had become their friend, was sent out to work in the fields for being too "Uppity." As a result of this experience, Tom became very troubled by all the problems that he saw with slavery, but Jack continued to support their rigid father's views. Eleven years later, when the Civil War erupted, Tom decided to join the Union army, while Jack enlisted in the Confederate army. The story then returns to that day when Tom finds the wounded Southern soldier who makes him think of Jack. What will Tom do? The author wrote that her grandfather and great-uncles fought for the North in the Civil War and brought back stories and songs with them that were passed down through the family to her. One of those ballads, about two little boys who played soldier and then grew up to fight on opposite sides during the Civil War, was sung so often that she remembered the words by heart, and it gave her the idea for the book. I really like historical fiction, and this is a wonderful chapter book for children that should help them to appreciate the fact that some people could not defend a person's right to own other people and to understand that sad era that ended in the "brothers' war." It has four chapters with a prologue and a closing author's note. The conversations that Tom has with the household slave "Uncle Roger" provide some unique insight into the dilemma that slaves faced in the antebellum South. This is a great supplemental book for upper elementary students who are interested in or studying about the Civil War. REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker

This is a sad story about two boys who grow up and become enemies. It was a good book. I learned more about the civil war from this book. I didn't like that the book was so short and also the ending of the book.

I must say that I am well read. I have read many books by many great authors--Cooper, both Brontes, Austen--and yet I find myself coming back to this ballad. I read this when I was in fifth grade, and liked it, but didn't care for it overmuch. Previously this year I found myself faced with a challenge. My english teacher wanted each class member to read something they liked, a poem, a song, part of a book, etc. to the class. I couldn't think of anything. I was searching through my mind trying to think of what I could read, then I thought back to my fifth grade teacher, and remembered this ballad. I read it to my class, and nearly everyone had misty eyes. This is the most touching poem I have yet to see. Each time I read it I get chills down my back. Background information on the Civil War is a good idea. I hope in time you readers who were "board, bord" or bored with this book will be able to realize how touching this really is.

A story of twin brothers fighting on opposite sides in the civil war. Addresses slavery from a child's viewpoint, then from an adult's viewpoint. This historical book has good black and white illustrations. Excellent book and I would recommend it for the 1st through 4th grades, as well as teachers and parents.

Imagine if you had a brother,and you and he were fighting on different side of the Civil War! One of you is fighting for African Americans and one is not. Tom and Jack Rigby are in this situation in A Ballad Of The Civil War, by Mary Stolz. The story of the brothers begins on a Virginia plantation before the Civil War. Tom and Jack Rigby are raised on the plantation. Their friend, Aaron, who is a young slave, is four years older than they are. He has watched out for them growing up. On their ninth birthday, Tom becomes upset when Aaron is taken away from them and sent to work in the fields. The brothers separate when they grow up and become soldiers. Tom leaves home to join the Union Army. Jack stays in the South to join the Confederate Army. Will they ever fight face to face in the same battle? This is a good book for people who want to learn some of the reasons why we had the Civil War. The author gives lots of details to explain how the brothers grow up to believe in different things. This is an excellent book for young people who have an interest in history.