Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero

(Paperback)

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Description

This is the incredible true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who dressed as a man and fought in the Civil War. When she was 19, Sarah cut her hair, donned her brother's clothes, and fled from Canada, where her father wanted her to marry an elderly gentleman. In the U.S., she went by the name Frank Thompson and joined the Army to fight the Confederates. She was a nurse working on the battlefield when, because of her heroism, she was asked to serve as a spy. At her death, Edmonds was buried in a military cemetery, in a plot reserved for Civil War veterans - the only woman to have this honor.

Reviews

The incredible story of how Sarah Edmonds becomes Frank Thompson is full of adventure, bravado and pathos. * San Francisco Chronicle *
Readers won't stop until the last page of Marissa Moss' exciting Civil War story about Sarah Edmonds' life as a man in the Union Army. Vivid illustrations by artist John Hendrix match Moss' exciting account of Sarah's life in the Army. * Sacramento Bee *

**STARRED REVIEW**
Hendrix's artwork is, as usual, a showstopper, and his bold caricatures convey Edmonds's strength and determination. Moss delivers a riveting narrative, making it clear that Edmonds was fighting for more than one kind of freedom.

* Publishers Weekly, starred review *
The pen-and-ink with acrylic wash illustrations are full of vibrant detail. Hendrix presents a meticulous view of military life, including army camp layouts and fortifications. Hand-drawn typography highlights important or humorous points in the text and adds even more visual interest. * School Library Journal *
Hendrixs art emphasizes the horror and drama of war. Using hand-lettered text reminiscent of broadsides of the time, he visually shouts danger to the reader when tension is the highest. * The Horn Book *
In ink-and-wash illustrations, Hendrix again displays his knack for visual narrative. The aerial view of Edmonds approaching the Confederate camp is particularly effective. This large-format picture book illustrates Edmonds courage and determination while conveying a good deal of information in a highly readable way. * Booklist *
Admirable and enlightening. Moss is a lively prose writer, and Hendrixs illustrations inject humor into what is actually a serious subject. * The New York Times *

**STARRED REVIEW**
Boldly illustrated. The text is full of interesting details. This book strikes a fine balance which conveys the horrors of the Civil War without portraying too much blood and violence for elementary readers. A very useful and researchable picture book."

* Library Media Connection, starred review *

Author Bio

Marissa Moss has written and illustrated many books for children, including the popular Amelias Notebook series and A Soldiers Secret. She lives in Berkeley, California.

John Hendrix received four starred reviews for John Brown. His other books include Shooting at the Stars and Drawing Is Magic. Hendrix lives in St. Louis, Missouri. www.johnhendrix.com.