Civil War Book Camp

             There are numerous books both fiction and nonfiction about the War Between the States.  The suggestions listed on this page will provide a reasonable selection to begin or add to your classroom historical library.   To make history exciting and alive for my students, I prefer to read nonfiction books written by credible historians about the people, places, events, of a specific historical period as I am preparing for my unit development and classroom instructional practice. My students can always manipulate me to tell them another story.  They are always asking questions and love to listen to tid bits of information that is NEVER found in a textbook.  No wonder my students love history! Additionally, check the links on the Civil War Unit main page for information and primary sources to be included in the unit.  Because I integrate literature and writer's workshop into the social studies and history units, I have included books with a range of reading levels.  Again, there are many more books on the market but I always read the books FIRST to determine historical accuracy, level of reading text, and student interest.  I keep the "just for fun" historical fiction in baskets in the room.  Kids can read from these baskets during independent reading.

               UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADE BOOKS

Across Five Aprils	Literature Study Guide	Downloadable Literature Plans
Shades of Gray	My students have loved this book for years.	Charlie Skedaddle    Teacher's Guide     Click here for Amazon Link
	Read an account of the history of Sarah Emma Edmonds who joined the Union army disguised as a man.  A true event.	Very high interest book

                          More Intermediate Grade Fiction

Very Good!	This book has been popular YEARS!  Text and content material for upper grades (5th,6th)	Kids like this book.
Grades 4-5 - Love this author!	WONDERFUL!  Grades 3-5	Virginia setting - not a strong story but kids do enjoy the read.

                        Easy Chapter Books

My students enjoy this book	A slave runs off to join the Union Army	Two boys, two perspectives
Excellent book!	Nonfiction

                                  Series Books

          BY:  Ann Rinaldi - some have some accurate historical notes and settings.  Upper Elementary, challenging text.

                                                Intermediate Grade Series Books

     * Many have a captivating story line, sound historical settings, and notes.  Students enjoy reading the books and gain a strong sense of people and time.  Not recommended as a "diet" without stirring in some nonfiction or historical literature heavily seasoned with facts.

	Dear America  Magic Tree House     My America     Series Books

                           Two Perspectives - Two books in one

Grade 4-8–Each flip book contains two short novels that showcase different perspectives and opinions of the same situation. The Brothers' War takes place in Virginia during the beginning of the Civil War. Melody's family is loyal to the Union while her cousin Marshall's family sides with the Confederacy. The overlapping plot here is more evident than in Escape from War. Great for compare and contrast activities and perspective.

                               CIVIL WAR SPIES

                I often reenact Rosie O'Neal, Confederate spy, for my students. There were women who participated in the War Between the States as soldiers, nurses, spies, and more.  Be sure to spice up the lessons with a few of these stories.  Great adult book for teachers to read for background.

                 Other Books about Women in the Civil War for Teacher Background

Many stories of different women.  I enjoy this book

Very exciting to read

Great information and perspective from a soldier's journal

                                JOURNAL MUST HAVE FOR INFORMATION            

	This original diary of the wife of Confederate General James Chestnut, Jr., who was also an aide to President Jefferson Davis, provides an eyewitness narrative of all the years of the war. Period photographs illustrate this you-are-there account of the daily lives and tribulations of all who suffered through the war, from ordinary people to the Confederacy's generals and political figures.
	Mary Chestnut Diaries     You will become totally lost in her descriptions, feelings, and comments!

        NONFICTION BOOKS AND RESOURCES

                                                       TEACHER RESOURCE BOOKS

Primary Sources and Activities	Read Aloud Plays
	The Civil War Teaching Guide:  A Scholastic Publication.

                                  Civil War Leaders

                                          SERIES NONFICTION

Triangle Histories of the Civil War                 Series Book   This is one example of several books in the series.

These biographies of individuals whose names are synonymous with the Civil War focus on the war years. The men's early lives, education, occupation, and family life are outlined in two chapters or less. All three of them overcame great personal and professional obstacles, sometimes mistakes, to reach their lifetime goals and to fulfill their duty to their country. The texts incorporate quotes, sidebars, and highlighted topical pages. In addition to coverage of the war years, Lee and Grant also briefly discuss their postwar lives. Common themes and repeated information tie these series titles together and reinforce basic facts about the era. Excellent color and black-and-white illustrations, maps, and photographs are found throughout each volume. Although there are no textual citations, each book includes lists of suggested readings and Web sites for additional information. Text is not too challenging.

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