This year, the girls and I have read several books about The Underground Railroad, and now we’re learning about the Civil War.
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My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi was the perfect complement to our studies, and I learned about a piece of Civil War history I had not previously known about.
Claire Louise Corbet is thirteen years old in 1863, when her hometown, Vicksburg, is seized by Union soldiers. Every day there is endless shelling, except for the three times during the day when the Union soldiers take their meals. Many residents of Vicksburg seek shelter in the caves surrounding the town. Lucky for Claire Louise and her family, her father has taken the time to create a cave that has as many comforts of home as possible.
While they are hiding out in the cave, Claire Louise’s brother, Landon, returns home. Landon is a doctor like his father, but much to his physician father’s dismay, Landon decided to serve in the Union army, not the Confederate army.
Landon comes home with Robert, a Confederate soldier who is accused of treason and could face death if discovered. While Landon prefers to protect Robert, he knows that he can’t. However, he did not plan on his little sister, Claire Louise, taking matters into her own hands and doing what she feels is right.
This young adult novel offers a peek into a unique time in the Civil War and how the siege of Vicksburg affected the residents. I highly recommend this book.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars on the Mom’s Plans’ scale.
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