Between Two Fires: Black Soldiers in the Civil War

by Joyce Hansen

Documents the recruitment, training, and struggles of African American soldiers during the Civil War and examines the campaigns in which they participated

Genres: History

Library Binding

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

Joyce Hansen has been writing books and stories for children and young adults for over twenty years. Joyce was born and raised in New York City, the setting of her early contemporary novels. She grew up with two younger brothers and her parents in an extended family that included aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, all living nearby in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.

Attending Bronx public schools, she graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1960. While working secretarial jobs during the day, Joyce attended Pace University in New York City at night, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then began her teaching career in the New York City public schools and earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University. She also taught writing and literature at Empire State College (State University of New York).

Joyce’s first children’s book, The Gift-Giver, published in 1980, was inspired by her own Bronx childhood and by her students. She continued to teach and write until retiring from teaching in 1995. Joyce Hansen presently lives in South Carolina with her husband and writes full-time.

Reviews

[Karen_RunwrightReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the straightforward narrative with which this history is presented. In Between Two Fires, we learn about the country in the late 1700s and the people of African descent, some formerly enslaved, who fought in the Revolutionary war, because they believed freedom of the country would lead to their own personal freedom. Later, in the mid 1800s, we read about the eruption of violence that became the Civil War but also the riots in places like New York where citizens resisted the idea of the Civil war because they didn't want to fight for the freedom of those same enslaved Black people.
This book was written with a younger audience in mind so the language is uncomplicated and it follows individuals so that the reader can use people to follow the chronology. I found that to be such a refreshing way to absorb the history.
Definitely recommend this one.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, small book -- large message.

Loved it, read it in two days straight through. Very true, very painful. Great writing, easy to read. Well done.