My Brother's Keeper: A Civil War Story

My Brother's Keeper by Nancy Johnson is a well written historical fiction of the US Civil War as seen through the eyes of a 13 y.o. drummer boy.During the first 4 chapters,strong bonds are formed between 2 brothers and their younger sister as they manage a farm in upstate New York under the drunken tyranny of their mother's second husband. Their mother dies at the opening of the book. Joshua promises to take care of Jere who is the oldest.It is this promise that forces Joshua(13 y.o.)to enlist in the Union Army at the same time that Jeremiah(17 y.o)does. Jere joins for glory and adventure. Boot camp, long marches, train rides, army camp life are described. Jere gets killed in an ambush before he even fights in any battle. Joshua is devastated by his death and his inability to protect his brother. He lashes out at the enemy. Josh is repulsed by the killing, bloodshed, and noise of battle. He runs off into the woods and gets lost. Josh travels by night and sleeps by day like runaways slaves did because he feels like a deserter. Josh is found by soliders from the 20th Maine and meets Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. The outstanding character of Chamberlain is well portrayed. Josh serves bravely as a messenger boy and a "medic" during several battles including Little Round Top and Gettysburg.He's captured by the Confederates but escapes bringing pivotal information to General Grant. He's there during the surrender of Lee to Grant. This book will serve well in Literature Circles for those studying the Civil War. The issues of slavery and the insanity of war are well presented.