Very good, well-written Civil War story. Though ostensibly for "young adult readers", I (age 53) enjoyed it quite a lot.

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This is a great historical novel for teens, centered in the south during the civil war era, It is a Female version of this time in history for the young lady in the story it is a time of uncertanty, when the story unfolds it is amazing as to the diversity that makes the city of New Orleans the wonderous place that it is. surprises at every turn and a comming together of great cultures, this book is a must read.

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By Newbery-winning author of A Year Down Yonder. Within a masterful tale of mystery and the female Civil War experience, Richard Peck has spun a breathtaking portrait of the lifelong impact one person can have on another.

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Excellent book about the culture of the Civil War and what happened to the New Orleans culture of people who were left behind. I really loved this book. It was about how two women made their lives at the beginning of the war when blacks were held with suspision.

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Great book for youth about the Civil War. The characters are well developed and the descriptions of early steamship explosions, field hospitals, and New Orleans black women are all tastefully and interestingly dealt with.

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Fantastic story!

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Civil War fiction

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Good story and plot. Surprise ending.

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We enjoy everything Richard Peck writes. The River Between Us was educational in an entertaining and thought provoking kind of way. All of his characters seem so real, as if he really knows them. This book is a little on the sad side and maybe a little too adult for very young children. My kids we all over 10 when they read it. Some very good life lesson discussions took place afterwards.

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This young adult book centers around Tilly Pruitt, a young woman growing up at the cusp of the Civil War. Her twin brother, Noah, is itching to go fight, but because their father walked out on the family, their mother is hesitant to lose someone else. They live in a town along the Mississippi River where boats frequently make stops. One day, an exotic young woman from New Orleans, Delphine, and her black companion, Calinda, disembark there, seeking refuge at Tilly's house. They bring with them mysteries, secrets, and a way of life unknown to the Pruitt family. Ultimately, their arrival will change the Pruitts forever.

I found this to be a very interesting read. Set during the Civil War, the war itself isn't prominently featured for most of the book (it is towards the later part of the book). This story is more focused on the way of life and society during that era and even discusses points about race and how fluid race can be. Keep in mind that the first chapter is set in 1916 by telling the story of a descendant of the Pruitts on his way back to the family homestead with his children in tow, then the bulk of the book is a flashback, and finally everything comes back together in 1916. I bring this up only because it isn't mentioned on the back cover & it's a bit weird to start reading a book that you think is going to be about the Civil War and have it start in 1916. This is a pretty captivating read with a few twists that will make it worth your while. Although meant for young adults, adults can read this too without feeling talked down to. In fact, it does give you some pretty mature, deep things to think about afterward.

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