Against All Odds
A Civil War Adventure for Young Readers
History is full of famous battles—but the real story is about the people who lived through them.
A powerful journey through history.
The Civil War armies were not made up of just one kind of person. Behind the uniforms were individuals with very different backgrounds and stories. Many soldiers were farmers or laborers, but thousands were immigrants, freedmen, Native Americans, or children who enlisted too young. Against All Odds explores these soldiers and the extraordinary paths that led them into one of the most defining wars in American history.
History is full of famous battles—but the real story is about the people who lived through them. Against All Odds takes readers inside the American Civil War to meet the unlikely heroes history often forgets.
From child soldiers and brave women in disguise, to former slaves fighting for freedom, clever spies risking everything, loyal animals on the battlefield, and the surprising technology that changed warfare forever—this book shows how ordinary people faced extraordinary choices.
Packed with gripping true stories, fascinating facts, visual timelines, and interactive sections, this book brings the Civil War to life in a way textbooks never do.Discover how courage doesn’t always look the same—and how, even in the darkest times, people found ways to stand up, survive, and change history.Because history isn’t just about what happened.It’s about who stepped forward—against all odds.
Powder Monkeys (Child Sailors)
Children also served in the Navy. Boys aged 10–14 sometimes worked as
powder monkeys on warships. Their job was to carry gunpowder from storage areas to the cannons as quickly as possible.
It was extremely dangerous. Gunpowder could explode if it touched a spark, burning wood, or hot metal from a cannon blast. Warships were crowded, and the narrow staircases and tight spaces made the job even harder. Adults would have struggled to move quickly, whereas smaller boys could squeeze through more quickly. Some sailors treated powder monkeys like mascots and looked out for them. Others were less kind, and some boys were bullied or mistreated. Powder monkeys were paid about $6 per month, which would be roughly $170 today.
What's Inside
Perfect for Young Readers
Editorial Reviews
""We enjoyed this book as it is a comprehensive look at the Civil War from a child's perspective. Lots of interesting facts and informational snippets that kept my children wanting to read more. We will definitely read more from this series."
"My kids really enjoyed this book, but so did I. I learned new, curious facts about the US Civil War and the unknown heroes who found themselves caught up in the conflict. We were surprised to learn that there were even some Chinese who fought"
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Packed withgripping true stories, fascinating facts, visual timelines, and interactivesections, this book brings the Civil War to life in a way textbooks never do.
Because history isn’t just about what happened. It’s about who stepped forward—against all odds.