Daring Women of the Civil War (Civil War Library)

Gr. 3-5. Titles in the new Civil War Library series are not segments of a chronological account of the war, as are some multivolume military histories, but rather accessible, stand-alone discussions of individual topics. Daring Women introduces Rosie the Riveter's predecessors from both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Slavery and the Underground Railroad explores the roots of the Civil War, and offers a profusion of true stories about "passengers" and "conductors" on the railroad. Well-chosen, primary-source quotations, culled from a variety of sources, bring the drama up close. There's plenty to gratify a thirst for alluring details (for example, the tale of Henry "Box" Brown, who mailed himself to freedom in a crate), but Ford is equally sensitive to children's need for basic information; statements such as "the Underground Railroad was not underground, and it was not a railroad" perceptively nip confusion in the bud. Compelling archival images illustrate, and thorough chapter notes, a glossary, and suggested print and Internet resources conclude each of these thoughtfully executed volumes. Jennifer Mattson
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