Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Fifteen-year-old soldiers Leander and Polly (disguised as "Paul") meet in a makeshift hospital in Rome, Georgia, during the Civil War and become fast friends. Individually, the characters journey through training, long marches, a stint in the Andersonville POW camp, and the explosion of the steamship Sultana. Rich historical detail makes this novel stand out. An author's note (with archival photos) provides background information. Bib.

ALA Booklist (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Leander Jordan wants to be seen as a man by his family and the girl he loves, but he never feels he can measure up. In order to prove himself, he joins the Union army. After an accident lands him in the hospital, he meets Paul Settles, a young soldier with a big secret to keep. Eventually Paul rejoins the fighting, only to be captured and sent to an army prison. While the novel starts out as Leander's story, the majority of the book centers on Paul's tale of survival. Though the characters' paths intertwine, the two story lines are disconnected at times. Wiechman doesn't shy away from the gory and horrific details of war, so be sure to give this to readers who can handle the grim and grisly. The novel explores many aspects of the Civil War that are sure to be intriguing to readers, such as survival in Camp Sumter and the tragedy of the Sultana. An extensive author's note with historic photographs and a bibliography provide additional details.

School Library Journal (Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2015)

Gr 5-8 Three years have passed since the beginning of the Civil War, when two underage teens, West Virginian Paul Settles and Ohioan Leander Jordan, both with secrets to guard, enlist in the Union Army. Their paths cross in a military hospital, where their mysteries begin to unravel, but the plot takes them in separate directions. Wiechman's debut novel details the pecking order of the Army camps, the grim hospitals, and survival in the prison. The plot is presented in short chapters, with an array of compassionate characters. American waterways comprise settings, as well as the motif for the theme of change: ("'Like a river,' Polly said. 'My pap al'ys said folks is like rivers, ever a-changin' and ever a-changin' others.'") The rich language and artful imagery will stay with readers long after finishing the last page. Well-researched details of Andersonville Prison and the Sultana Explosion are supported by an author's note with photos and a bibliography. This joins other great middle grade novels about the Civil War including Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulson (Delacorte, 1998), The Mostly True Adventure of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick (Scholastic, 2009), and the YA novel A Soldier's Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds by Marissa Moss (Abrams, 2012). A truly excellent first purchase for all fans of historical fiction who enjoy a hint of romance. Sharon M. Lawler, formerly of Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX