Annie, Between the States

ALA Booklist

"Part Ken Burns’ The Civil War, part Gone with the Wind…will be devoured by fans of historical fiction."

Children's Literature

Living in Virginia, Annie Sinclair finds her family in the crosshairs of the Civil War. Early in the conflict Annie and her mother are forced to serve as nurses tending to both Union and Confederate wounded from the Battle of First Manassas. In that capacity Annie discovers that in her heart she saw no difference in the sadness attendant to the death of either a Yankee or a Rebel soldier. Despite her love of her native South—for which two of her brothers are fighting—the issue of slavery troubles Annie and causes her to question the morality of their cause. To further complicate matters, a chain of events leads Annie to the brink of personal disaster. Only the intervention of a Union officer can save Annie from what appears to be destruction. Can she overcome her hatred of the Yankee invaders to accept the help that will save her? Readers with an interest in historical fiction and the Civil War era will enjoy finding the answer to this question when they complete this story. Written with an eye toward historical accuracy, the novel tells the sad story of the divisions and loss that were inherent in America's bloodiest war. Yet, despite the sadness that permeates the pages of this novel, the author also creates a strong female character in Annie Sinclair. In the person of Annie, readers will learn about both the Civil War in Virginia and one girl's journey to young womanhood. 2004, Katherine Tegen Books, Ages 12 up.
—Greg M. Romaneck

VOYA

Fifteen-year-old Annie Sinclair leads a typically sheltered, decorous life in her ancestral Northern Virginia home, Hickory Heights, until the Civil War wreaks havoc through her beloved land and turns her life upside down. Annie is a likeable, brave heroine who endures countless ordeals and runs grave risks to keep her family together, protect their property, and help Confederate troops whenever possible. Confederate Army General Jeb Stuart playfully dubs her "Lady Liberty" in admiration for her courageous ride to warn him and his men of an impending attack by Union troops. Despite her fierce loyalty to the Southern cause and the Confederate Army where her two brothers also serve, Annie finds herself deeply attracted to a handsome young Union officer-an emotion that poses a heart-wrenching quandary for the young woman. To complicate matters even further, she eventually incurs the open enmity of Union forces for her role in the daring rescue of two young female slaves captured by Northern soldiers, a selfless gesture that ultimately lands Annie in a Federal prison. Against a background of authentic events peopled with true historic figures, Annie and her contemporaries are brought to life in this compelling book that, because of its length and often stilted dialogues, might appeal only to the most avid history buff. The author's note, time line, and bibliography are particularly enlightening and reflect Elliott's careful, thorough research. The result is high quality historical fiction that highlights a most important and decisive period in American history. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; JuniorHigh, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, HarperCollins, 496p.; Biblio. Chronology., and PLB Ages 12 to 18.
—Delia Culberson

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Elliott does a fine job of weaving the issues of the day into her story, helping readers to come away with an understanding that the Civil War was not just about North versus South or even slavery. Annie's older brother fights in the Southern Army, while her younger brother takes up with a vigilante group. When her mother catches diphtheria from a sick and wounded soldier, Annie is left to manage their Virginia home and farm. Early on, the teen meets a wounded Yankee officer, Thomas Walker, and they discover that they share a love of poetry. By the end of the novel, Annie has come to a growing awareness that slavery is wrong, has spent six months in a prison in Washington, DC, for carrying messages and hiding Confederate soldiers, and has made the difficult decision to marry the Yankee she loves. Annie is a strong and memorable heroine, and her story is one of a young woman loyal to her Southern roots but aware of the wrongs on both sides. At the same time, the book contains romance and gives a rich portrayal of the everyday life of a prosperous family during this period and an understanding of the effect of the war on both sides of the conflict.-Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A third of the major battles of the Civil War took place in Virginia. The last state to leave the Union and the state with the most residents voting against secession, Virginia, ironically, suffered most from the horrors of the war. Elliott's novel opens with the Battle of Manassas and a sea of confusion as Union troops retreat across the property of 15-year-old Annie Sinclair. By the end of the war, Annie's home and all of her relationships have changed irrevocably. Battle scenes are so powerfully drawn that readers will be engaged from chapter one. Though history lessons sometimes intrude on the narrative, Elliott does an admirable job of balancing the human story and the historical context. Her excellent author's note fills in the complicated history of the era, and the bibliography includes a fair number of resources for young readers. A rich experience for Civil War history buffs. (timeline) (Fiction. 12+)