In this book, Bruchac crafts a story about the US Civil War that's suitable for children but that pulls no (well, few) punches. His characters travel through the story despising their circumstances but still finding beauty and hope in life and the landscape around them. Through the perspective of French Canadian Abenaki Louis Nolette, this novel addresses race, prejudice, nationhood, and what it means to be a leader. ( )

I was unsure what approach this book would take, and was hesitant to get into a pro-warfare book. I am glad I took a chance, this was an excellent historical book showing the bloody awful side of warfare along with the physical exertions required during the Civil War just to hike to the battlefield.
I read this with my son and we both found it to be very interesting. Bruchac integrates into this well-researched history the feelings of a Native American participant. Louis feels like an outsider as the main way the white soldiers can relate to him is to call him "Chief." I particularly liked the Indian humor played out when Louis meets a soldier from a different tribe. Another heart-touching part is his connection with his dead father and with his mother. She was one strong woman! ( )

Historical fiction with an Indian tribe that is not often written about, the Abenaki. Combined with New York state's Irish brigade during the Civil War makes a good read. ( )

A fifteen-year-old Abenaki Indian from Canada is recruited to join the army to fight for the north in the American Civil War, and is assigned to the famous Fighting Irish 69th. The journey of the Irish Brigade and the battles in which it engaged during the Virginia Campaign in 1864, through the eyes of a young soldier, was well written for a young adult audience. The setting felt real, the characters mostly believable, though often flat. I was put off by the author’s obvious politics leaking through, and by the gratuitous insertion of the characters of Walt Whitman and a descendant of the Thomas Jefferson family. (“Massah Tom’s brother was a little faster getting to the slave quarters that night.”) The story is based on the author’s own Abenaki great-grandfather’s participation in the war. 2.8 stars ( )

sick warfare. a little too gross, though..... ( )