My Vicksburg

I am always impressed with Ann Rinaldi's work - the vast amount of knowledge she has about the Civil War is amazing. My Vicksburg is the first book I can count in the War Through the Generations challenge, a book by Rinaldi featuring a family in the Confederate South. Claire and her family have been forced to move into a cave as Vicksburg and the surrounding area is being shelled by Union soldiers. Claire's older brother, Landon, is a doctor for the Union army, while her father practices medicine with the Confederate army. Landon returns home for a brief visit with his family, bringing with him Robert, a Confederate soldier who he is treating and who is in some trouble of his own. Although Claire's family had been affluent, now that there is a war food is scarce. While Claire does not bemoan the hardships that have befallen them, it is obvious that her way of life is dramatically changed. When Landon takes her with him to assist with ailing soldiers, she also finds a way to reach out to these men, growing up a bit in the process. And, when she finds out what Landon has in mind for Robert, who has been staying with them, Claire makes up her mind on her own about how she will help Robert escape.

It has been a long, long time since I have read a childrens historical fiction book about the Civil war. Although I love, love, love many books set during World War II, the 1800s are a harder sell for me. However, I should have realized that Rinaldi does not disappoint. My Vicksburg was such an interesting read, and I was able to learn a great deal about what transpired in Vicksburg in 1863.