Rebel Hart

by Edith Morris Hemingway, Jacqueline Cosgrove Shields, Edith M. Hemingway

A farm girl from the mountains of what would become West Virginia leaves home to join a group of rebel raiders who strike Federal Army encampments during the Civil War.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Civil War

185 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about a girl who became a Confederate spy during the Civil War in the USA. The writing isn't bad, the story isn't bad, and it was nice to read about how a young woman took initiative and stepped up to fight for a cause she believed in.

However. This book neglected to even mention one of the main reasons the Civil War took place - slavery. Now, perhaps I missed it - I admit I was skimming for much of the book - but in everything I read, I didn't really see why the MC's conviction was so strong. Why did she believe in the cause of the south? Did she believe that slavery wasn't wrong? Was she upset that they'd have to change their lifestyle? Or was she so strong-minded because that's how she'd been raised, because she was only hearing the arguments of one side? What was she thinking, what did she believe?
I would have liked to read a text that grapples with the issue - perhaps showing how people that struggled with the idea of such a major change in their way of life, perhaps showing a person struggling to think through the morality of slavery, despite being raised to see it as normal and acceptable. I wouldn't mind hearing a genuine, nuanced picture of someone on the Confederate side. But this seemed to skip over it entirely. I don't even remember coming across any black characters in the book. This allowed the MC the luxury of never having to think about it, effectively erasing an entire group of people and their struggles. Does no one else see how problematic this is???

If I missed something in my reading/skimming of the book, please feel free to correct me.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. . Too bad it wasn't a true story

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Civil War Story about a girl who wants to fight! Be prepared-- it's also has sad moments, but what do you expect from a book set during a war?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good children's historical fiction about Nancy Hart, a 14-year-old girl who was a young Confederate spy in Virginia. She joined the Moccasin Rangers, a band of rebel raiders. Her family and friends shunned her, she was captured twice, but was able to make it through the Civil War alive and lived until 1902.

I guess the thing I didn't like was that the book played up her infatuation with a married man. I think that part could have been left out, even if it was true.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, this one was pretty interesting. I read it for my reading class, for extra credit. It was fascinating, seeing the story from the side of the south. Most of the time, you only hear the north's story.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic account of Nancy Hart, who fought with the Moccasin Rangers and acted as a spy for the Confederacy in the Civil War. This is a work of fiction, but is reminiscent of the Little House series, as it is also based on true events.

[Tara]

i really enjoyed this book

[Kim]

5 copies

[Caroline Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

those is my favorite book it has everything in it love adventure mystery and a girl my own age going through it all I have read it eight time and it never gets old

[Heidi Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel Hart is historical fiction about the Civil War. I love historical fiction, I enjoyed seeing into the southern perspective of the war.

[Sam Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has stuck with me through the years. I encourage anyone who hasn't read it to get their hands on it.

[Fay Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Hart's story takes place just as the Civil War is beginning in Virginia. The story tells of Mary's bravery and courage as she outsmarts the Union soldiers.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book forever ago... It was totally awesome then, and let me tell you, it's totally awesome now.