I picked up Rhythms of War expecting a book about Civil War drummer boys, but I was surprised by how much history was packed into it. The stories of the real boys were my favorite part because they made it easy to imagine what it must have been like to be so young and surrounded by war. I also liked that the book explains camp life, uniforms, military communication, and the different jobs drummers performed. The activities break up the reading and make it especially useful for kids who learn by doing. This would be a great addition to a homeschool history unit or classroom study of the Civil War. It makes history feel much more personal than simply memorizing names and dates.

Clear the Way: Book 1 is an engaging introduction to the true story of Michael Dougherty, a teenager who became a soldier during the Civil War. I enjoyed seeing the war through the eyes of someone so young and following Michael as he leaves home and faces the realities of military life. The story has plenty of action, but it also shows the courage, uncertainty, and determination it took for a boy his age to become a soldier. It’s an excellent choice for middle-school readers who enjoy true stories and history, especially those who might not normally pick up a traditional history book.

Clear The Way isn’t anything like Stephen Crane's classic, The Red Badge of Courage, other than its Civil War plot, but it reminded me of that book in so many ways. The Red Badge of Courage, published in 1865, thirty years after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. Three decades had passed, but the American Civil War, the bloodiest war in American History, was still fresh in memory when Stephen Crane wrote The Red Badge of Courage. One hundred and twenty-seven years had passed before Kellie May published Clear the Way, yet she writes with such authority that I felt like she was Crane’s contemporary.This may be a work of historical fiction, but the research that went into writing it was meticulous and makes it read like actual history. May nails the character of the real historical figures that make appearances in this tale, as well as the nature of historical sites like Andersonville, the Confederate prisoners of war prison. In some ways, I felt as if I had ridden that well-known DeLorean back in time and was right there in the heat of battle with The Dragoons.This is a great work of historical fiction, but no book is perfect. I felt let down by the ending. It didn’t end the way I had envisioned it ending. Was it a good ending? I’ll let you decide that for yourself after reading the story.

I picked up Rhythms of War expecting a book about Civil War drummer boys, but I was surprised by how much history was packed into it. The stories of the real boys were my favorite part because they made it easy to imagine what it must have been like to be so young and surrounded by war. I also liked that the book explains camp life, uniforms, military communication, and the different jobs drummers performed. The activities break up the reading and make it especially useful for kids who learn by doing. This would be a great addition to a homeschool history unit or classroom study of the Civil War. It makes history feel much more personal than simply memorizing names and dates.

Clear the Way: Book 3 brings Michael Dougherty’s remarkable Civil War story to a dramatic conclusion. After everything he has already survived, Michael faces yet another terrifying ordeal when he becomes caught up in the disaster of the Sultana. Knowing that these events really happened makes the story even more powerful. I found myself wondering how one young person could endure so much and still keep fighting to survive. This book introduces young readers to a tragic event in American history that many people have never heard about. It’s exciting, heartbreaking, and a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable true story.

Clear the Way: Book 2 takes Michael Dougherty’s story into a much darker chapter of the Civil War. Captured and imprisoned at Andersonville, Michael must endure hunger, disease, overcrowding, and conditions that seem almost impossible to survive. What makes the story so compelling is that Michael was still so young when he faced these hardships. His determination, courage, and ability to keep going make this a powerful read. The book introduces young readers to the reality of Civil War prison camps through the experiences of a real teenage soldier, making this difficult part of history personal and unforgettable.

Clear the Way: Book 1 is an engaging introduction to the true story of Michael Dougherty, a teenager who became a soldier during the Civil War. I enjoyed seeing the war through the eyes of someone so young and following Michael as he leaves home and faces the realities of military life. The story has plenty of action, but it also shows the courage, uncertainty, and determination it took for a boy his age to become a soldier. It’s an excellent choice for middle-school readers who enjoy true stories and history, especially those who might not normally pick up a traditional history book.

Rhythms of War brings Civil War history to life through the incredible stories of the young drummer boys who marched alongside soldiers. I especially enjoyed learning how important the drummers actually were—they weren’t simply making music, but helping communicate commands during marches, camp life, and battle. The real stories, historical information, and activities make the book engaging without feeling like a textbook. It’s a great choice for middle-school readers, homeschool families, or anyone looking for a different way to introduce children to Civil War history. Young readers will come away understanding that some of the people who witnessed these enormous events were children not much older than themselves.

I purchased Thunder Hooves: Daughter of the Revolution to use alongside our class study of the American Revolution, and it turned out to be one of those books that gets students talking about history instead of simply memorizing it.

From a teacher's perspective, I appreciated how many opportunities the book provided for discussion. We talked about courage, responsibility, perseverance, women's roles during the Revolution, communication before modern technology, and what it would have meant to ride alone through unfamiliar countryside at night.

One of my favorite discussions came from the idea that being courageous doesn't mean you aren't afraid. Sybil experiences fear and exhaustion, but she continues because other people are depending on her. That was something my students could understand and apply to their own lives.

Thunder Hooves gave us much more than another Revolutionary War lesson. It helped my students see history as the experiences of real people who had difficult decisions to make.

★★★★★ A Wonderful Story for Young History Lovers

I bought Thunder Hooves for my child because I wanted something that would make American history feel like a story rather than a textbook, and this book certainly did that.

My child especially loved Sybil's relationship with her horse, Star. Watching Sybil patiently earn the trust of such a spirited horse made both characters easy to care about, and it made their dangerous ride together even more exciting. By the time Sybil rode out into the terrible storm to warn the militia, my child was completely invested in what happened to both of them.

As a parent, I appreciated that the book shows courage in a way young readers can understand. Sybil is brave, but she is also frightened, exhausted, and sometimes unsure of herself. She doesn't become a hero because she isn't afraid—she becomes one because people need her and she chooses to act anyway.

The story also opened the door to some great conversations in our house about the American Revolution, the roles young people and women played in history, and why some people's contributions are remembered more readily than others.

There is plenty of adventure and danger to keep a young reader interested, but underneath it is a wonderful story about determination, responsibility, trust, and a girl discovering just how much she is capable of doing.

A great choice for middle-grade readers, especially children who enjoy horses, adventure, and true stories from American history. My child finished the book wanting to know more about Sybil Ludington—and, as a parent, I can't ask for much more from historical fiction.

★★★★★ My Grandson Actually Wanted to Talk About History!

I bought I Stand for Liberty: A Journey to Independence for my grandson because I wanted to encourage him to read more about American history without giving him something that felt like another school textbook. This book turned out to be a wonderful choice.

The story follows twelve-year-old John Morton, who travels with his family as a camp follower alongside the Continental Army during the American Revolution. My grandson could relate to John because the Revolution is shown through the eyes of a boy rather than only through famous generals and political leaders.

He especially enjoyed the adventurous parts—John carrying water during battle, overhearing British soldiers discussing an attack, and the frightening moment when he has to rescue his younger sister Emily from the river. But what impressed me most was everything he learned along the way without realizing he was learning history.

As a grandparent, I appreciated the values in the story. John learns about responsibility, courage, sacrifice, family, and what liberty really means. I also liked that courage isn't presented as being fearless. John gets scared, makes mistakes, becomes discouraged, and sometimes doesn't know what to do. He simply keeps trying to do what is right.

After finishing the book, my grandson started asking me questions about the Revolutionary War and what life was really like for children who followed the armies. Any book that gets a child voluntarily asking his grandparents history questions deserves five stars from me!

I would happily recommend I Stand for Liberty to grandparents looking for a wholesome, exciting book for a grandson who enjoys adventure, American history, or stories about ordinary young people doing extraordinary things.

Very good shows the true cost of war. Many lost, friends, family, hurt. Horrible prisoner of war camps. Then the wreck of the sultan when many thought they were safe at last killing 1500? .Good book fairly clean but with mature topics death& brutality. Should read earlier books in series.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sad story of the Anderson prisoners of war camp during the Civil War. Gives a good description of what life may have been like. Gives enough detail without getting too in depth. Fairly clean but sickness, death, abuse.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sad story of the Anderson prisoners of war camp during the Civil War. Gives a good description of what life may have been like. Gives enough detail without getting too in depth. Fairly clean but sickness, death, abuse.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Good story of civil war from a African American perspective. Easy read good for kids. Just enough info to know how tough life was fighting. But without gruesome details. Liked how it was pointed out that the North also had racial prejudice. Also how important a summer was to the war effort. I know a relative of mine was a drummer in revolutionary war. I never realized the importance.The train story showed exactly how hard life was for these boys and men.those men had determination I think today they would have given up when their hands blistered.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.