John Lincoln Clem Civil War drummer boy

A nine-year-old fighting in the Civil War? Readers may be a bit skeptical at first, but this historical tale is based on a true account. After feuding with his father, young Johnny impulsively steals away on a Union troop train. He captures the good will of the regiment and ends up as a drummer boy and then later a soldier. Johnny's pluck, erstwhile patriotism, and sheer determination make him a likable and sympathetic hero, and these characteristics also carry him through frightening times in the war, including the heat of battle and imprisonment. Focusing on the Shiloh and Chickamauga campaigns, Abbott engages readers with particulars on weaponry, drumming signals, uniforms, and other details, while depictions of the sheer horror of being in battle and the traumatizing aftereffects of war are sure to linger. Historic photos and paintings enhance the narrative, though their juxtaposition with line drawings is a bit odd. Still, the blend of strong story and illustrations brings to life a unique Civil War tale. For those interested in fact, concluding notes illuminate Johnny's fascinating real-life story.--O'Malley, Anne Copyright 2016 Booklist

In one of four titles launching the Based on a True Story series, Abbott (a pseudonym for author Kristin O'Donnell Tubb) profiles the youngest known soldier in the American Civil War, John Lincoln Clem, who ran off with a Union regiment when he was nine. Colloquial narration gives a sense of the time ("dadgummed," "breeches"), but the down-home tone soon gives way to graphic battle scenes: "Some soldiers had fought a terrible struggle with the monster death.... Their hands were often full of the mud and grass they clutched in their last agony." Twenty short chapters, interwoven with archival photos and Noble's line drawings, depict the grueling realities of a being a Civil War soldier-including long marches, little food, lice, prison camps-while dashes of hope (a regiment dog, a roasted pork dinner) help keep this war story palatable for younger audiences. An author's note delineates which parts of the story are real (most) and which are based historical events of the time. Titles about Mary Jemison, Nettie and Nellie Crook, and Sybil Ludington are available simultaneously. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 3-5-The lives of "real" children growing up during extraordinary circumstances are documented here in these slightly flawed fictionalized biographies. In Orphan Train Sisters, five-year-old twins Nettie and Nellie Crook are sent west on an orphan train after their neglectful parents are deemed unfit to care for them. They end up in an abusive household, only to get rescued once again and moved to yet another home, the trauma of which isn't adequately captured. The book lacks in-depth characterization and has uninspired dialogue that fails to entirely engage. Primary source photographs and maps as well as vintage-looking black-and-white drawings add an authentic element but also somewhat distract from the narrative. In Civil War Drummer Boy, nine-year-old John Lincoln Clem, who eventually becomes known as "Johnny Shiloh," runs away from home to join the Union Army but is rejected because of his age. He eventually becomes a drummer boy, fights in battle, and gets captured and sent to the Andersonville Prison. What should be a riveting story falls flat with inaccurate use of language (the word moron didn't exist at the time), clunky vernacular such as the use of the term idjit in some places and idiot in others, and excessive and repetitive use of the word fellas. A glossary of terms and drummer's calls is appended. An author's note in each book briefly describes the time period and concludes with a summary of the adult life of the main character/real person. Elementary-aged readers might do better to look for the "Dear America," "My Name is America," and "I Survived" series (all Scholastic) or even the nonfiction "Who Was?" series (Penguin) instead. VERDICT These title will appeal only to the most die-hard fans of historical fiction.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.