Stonewall Hinkleman (yup, that’s his real name) hates participating in historical reenactments with his Civil War-obsessed parents. And they drag him to one every weekend. He can’t play his Game Boy but he has to play his stupid bugle (cause he’s a bugle boy-how lame can you get?) to lead the battle charges. Who wants to pretend to fight in some old war anyway? But one day, Stonewall finds himself transported back in time to the actual Battle of Bull Run-and he’s not alone! Mr. Dupree, an ardent Confederate from Stonewall’s time, has also traveled back in order to change the outcome of the whole Civil War. Stonewall needs to use all of his knowledge of the battle to stop Dupree and save the course of American history as we know it.
Last Brother: A Civil War Tale (Tales of Young Americans)
In July 1863 the bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought outside the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. In “The Last Brother” the story of one small boy is told amidst the dramatic events of those early days of July.
Though he is only 11 years old, Gabe is a bugler in the Union Army. He takes his responsiblity very seriously; after all, there are over 60 different battle calls for buglers to learn. But what is even more important to Gabe is watching over his older brother Davy who, as a foot soldier, is right in the thick of the fighting. Two of Gabe’s older brothers have already perished, and he is not willing to lose the only one he has left.
During those long days, Gabe meets another young bugler – one who fights for the other side. Suddenly, what was so definite and clear has become complicated by friendship and compassion. Does one have to choose between service to country, to kin or to a friend? As the cannons fire and the battle rages on, Gabe must do his duty while searching for a way to honor all that he holds dear.