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Book List

I thought maybe if I kept a list of books, it would be a good thing. We'll see if I can keep it up.  

The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale by Trinka Hakes Noble, illustrated by Robert Papp
copyright 2006, published by Sleeping Bear Press

I am a big fan of books by Trinka Hakes Noble. I was first introduced to this author through the humorous book Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch.... Later, I found some of her other books, The Orange Shoes and The Scarlet Stockings Spy. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Noble at the 2012 IRA Annual Convention in Chicago and chatted with her a bit about the impact her books have made on me and my students. At the same time, I bought The Last Brother and had her autograph it. She warned me that it is a tear-jerker!

Gabriel is the youngest in his family near Gettysburg, PA, and wants to go to war to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers, even though he isn't actually old enough. He becomes a bugler in the Union army in the same regiment as his older brother. One day after training, Gabe goes off into the woods to practice a bit, and ends up meeting Orlee, a bugler from the 11th Mississippi Regiment. The two boys enjoy an afternoon of story-telling, fishing, remembering home, and just being boys. Later, back in camp, Orlee comes to warn Gabe to leave, because his regiment received battle orders and are on their way. Gabe's brother returns after a battle near Little Round Top, and Gabe continues to worry what it will be like in battle. Heavy gunfire and fighting follow the next day. Gabe's choices at that battle, later known as Pickett's Charge, made quite an impact on many soldiers.

And yes, I cried, which is not a surprise to those who know me. Definitely a great book, especially if you love historical fiction!

What I'm reading right now: Elliot and the Goblin War by Jennifer Nielsen; copyright 2010 published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

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