Annie, Between the States

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Summary: Annie: Between the States
Review: I have just finished reading ANNIE: BETWEEN THE STATES, L.M. Elliott's newest novel, and am thrilled to say that as phenomenal and accurate a piece of historical fiction as UNDER A WAR TORN SKY (Ms. Elliott's first novel) was, ANNIE exceeds it -- not only in excitement but also in the moral dilemma it both presents and resolves. This is a "must read" for teenagers, boys and girls alike, as it transports the reader back through time into an era of incredibly bloody strife marked by fanatical devotion and commitment. That Annie is so torn reflects the mental and emotional state of any teenager who thinks and feels as intensely as Annie does -- and is an eerily on-target rendering of true adolescent angst, regardless of the era. Until now UNDER A WAR TORN SKY was my favorite novel for kids; ANNIE has moved it over a notch, so that now both are mandatory reading for my own children and, as I am a teacher, for my students.

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Summary: A nice Civil War novel
Review: The great Civil War has broken out in America and Annie Sinclair is literally caught between the states. She lives in Hickory Heights, a small town in the state of Virginia that is right in the midst of the Union and Confederate army's attacks. Her family is caught up in the battle too. Her old brother Lawrence enlisted in the Confederate army and her younger brother Jamie joined the Gray Ghost, John Mosby. Annie and her mother cannot avoid the war either. Together they tend to the many wounded Confederate soldiers. The experience is very hard on Annie but she takes even more daring roles to help the Confederate cause. Soon she is dubbed Lady Liberty by Lawrence's commanding office Jeb Stuart for her acts to help the Confederate army defeat the Union forces. However Annie's views on the war change when a Union officer is dragged to her farm. Thomas Walker was saved from being hit by a bullet because of his volume of Keat's poetry and soon he and Annie connect because of both's passion for poetry. As tragedy and conflict erupt in Hickory Heights, Annie must question her stance in the war. Which side is really right? Which side is the one she believes in? I am a big fan of L.M. Elliot's Under a War-torn Sky. The book is still one of my all time favorite historical fiction stories. Annie, Between the States was not as good but it is still a worthy addition to my Civil War collection. Annie is a strong protagonist that most girls will connect with. A definite recommendation!