Jayhawker

You should read this book! It had depth and it wasn't boring like some civil war books can be. It has a childish view of war in the beging and in the end it turns out to be a more wide range of hope, love, trust, and understanding of what war is.

This book is set in the Civil War in the midst of the heated battles between freedom fighting Kansas Jayhawkers and the slavery defending Missouri Bushwackers. Lije Tulley, the main character, is the son of a Jayhawker that is blessed by the famous John Brown at the very beginning of the book. Lije's father, Jake Cousins, and Lije went on a slave raid and are lured into a trap, and are shot by a man named Prentiss. Lije narrowly escapes death but not without a beating. The death of his father spurred a deep emotion for revenge. That emotion leads to Lije becoming a spy for the Jayhawkers. In the end Lije encounters his father's killer and discovers something about him. This book tells how people in the Civil War were neither good or bad, just with different opinions. I recommend this book since it is suspenseful and exhilarating.

The story of Lije Tulley and his experiences as a Kansas Jayhawker and spy among the Missouri Bushwhackers is interesting and exciting. Lije is forced to grow up quickly as he becomes immersed in both sides of the slavery issue. His romantic notions of war and killing are challenged by harsh reality. He struggles with the notion of violence while trying to do what he feels is right. Historical situations and characters are believably blended into this fictional account. Recommended reading for whole classes in the middle grades in conjunction with Civil War study, or individual reading for ages 11 and up.

I read this book for my English class and really enjoyed it. I hope that everyone who reads this review will do themselves a favor and read Jayhawker. Even if you aren't a fan of Civil War material you will enjoy this book.