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A Soldier's Secret
The story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as a man named Frank Thompson during the Civil War. Among her many adventures, she was a nurse on the battlefield and a spy for the Union Army, and was captured by (and escaped from) the Confederates. The novel is narrated by Sarah, offering readers an in-depth look not only at the Civil War but also at her journey to self-discovery as she grapples with living a lie and falling in love with one of her fellow soldiers.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
27 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Moss
114 books264 followersMarissa Moss has written more than seventy books, from picture books to middle-grade and young adult novels. Best known for the Amelia's Notebook series, her books are popular with teachers and children alike. Her picture book Barbed Wire Baseball won the California Book Award gold medal. Moss is also the founder of Creston Books, an independent children's publishing house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 23, 2016
What it says on the tin: this is the story of a young woman who ran away from her life, and created a new one wearing trousers. Her life as a girl was intolerable, so she reinvented herself as a man, and when the Civil War came along she, or rather he, enlisted in a spirit of determined patriotism, and became the best soldier in his unit – and a nurse, devoted to his patients, and postmaster (which I never really realized was so dangerous) and attaché and Union spy. And in two years of service to the Union (almost) no one ever even suspected Frank Thompson was actually a girl named Sarah.
I'm not sure what this book is, exactly. (Besides received from Netgalley - thank you to them and the publisher.) It's based on historic fact, which could make it historical fiction. Moreover, it's based on the life of a real individual, so maybe it could be called a fictional biography – but no, it's in the first person, so maybe a fictional memoir. Except that the individual in question, a woman named Sarah Emma Edmonds, wrote a memoir of her own in 1864, so it's a little odd to have a novelized version.
I read this with the understanding that it was based on a true story, and the notes following the book emphasize this:
Although more than four hundred women are known to have dressed as men to fight in the Civil War, most of them were joining husbands, brothers, fathers, or fiancés. They had someone to help with their disguise and share the burden of their secret. Sarah Emma Edmonds was the only one known to have lived as a man before enlisting.
(The numbers I've seen regarding women who served in the Civil War in disguise actually range from something like 250 to 700, so four hundred is a happy median.)
But immediately after stressing the truth of the story, the author reveals that a major event at the end of the book was a complete fabrication, almost exactly the opposite of what really happened. The end of the story is not how the story ended. So, while "the bones of the story are all true", this event at the end "seemed like something that should have happened, and the advantage of fiction is that you can choose the shape of the story".
Yes, but – this isn't fiction. Not really. It's fictionalized. And I have a problem with the change that was made. Problems. For one, I don't see making a change this big at the end of the story of a woman few have heard of as any more acceptable than, say, changing the end of a certain evening in April 1864 to have John Wilkes Booth miss his shot, or than saying that eventually Thomas Jefferson freed and married Sally Hemings. Or to have Henry VIII say "You know, that Catherine is actually rather nice. I believe I'll go back to her and be a good husband." If a writer takes on the task of writing about a life, about an individual's existence, to make a change just because it feels like what should have happened is, in my opinion, intellectually dishonest. It breaks faith with the subject of the writing.
The other side of it is that now I have doubts about everything else in the book. There are some highly improbable events in the story, and the story as a whole is improbable, and I went along with all of it because, I was assured, it was all based on history. But. If that last really quite large happening never happened, I'm inclined to doubt the rest, however much the author assures me it's faithful. There was so much luck running through it – sheer dumb luck that kept Sarah/Frank from major injury in battle, not to mention from discovery – that it became a little hard to swallow; s/he glided through the War like the Maryest of Sues, able to do absolutely anything they set her to: she was a crack shot, a born rider, a gentle and patient nurse with an iron nerve, a natural spy, a daring messenger, and no more concerned about killing the enemy than the next man. So to speak. Very shortly she had everyone thinking Frank was the best fellow ever, and in the two years she fought only completely coverable glitches occurred, and – as I said, almost no one ever even entertaining a suspicion that Frank wasn't what he seemed to be in two years of sleeping and eating and everything else in close quarters with no real privacy. Only the "but she really existed!" thing kept me going. Once there was a hole knocked in that, all bets were off.
Image of Sarah Emma Edmundson (or Sarah Edmonds) as "Frank Thompson" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The point is played up that all the names in the book are true to life, that Sarah Emma Edmonds/Frank Thompson did indeed serve in the same unit with Damon Stewart (hmm) and Jerome Robbins (!) and so on. But I wish the real names had not been used. I feel like this would have been a more honest novel – more honest as a novel – if the heroine had been named Jane Doe calling herself Joe Schmoe, and bunked with a lad named John Doe and fell in love with Richard Roe. Or something. My understanding is that Sarah's experience served as the backbone of the book, and the plot was filled in with bits and pieces and shreds and patches from other tales of others of the four hundred women. If this had been straightforwardly presented as a composite portrait, leaning heavily on Sarah but not trying to revivify Sarah, I feel it would have been a much better book – a cleaner book, in a way.
Another way to keep it honest would have been to simply tell Sarah's story without messing about with facts.
You can't have it both ways. You can't preen about how factual the story is and then say "well except for this bit here which I just didn't like the historical reality of".
Finally, and this is purely a personal reaction, I find it very sad that Frank's way of proving his masculinity was to tell dirty stories and spit and scratch and fart.
I'm not sure what this book is, exactly. (Besides received from Netgalley - thank you to them and the publisher.) It's based on historic fact, which could make it historical fiction. Moreover, it's based on the life of a real individual, so maybe it could be called a fictional biography – but no, it's in the first person, so maybe a fictional memoir. Except that the individual in question, a woman named Sarah Emma Edmonds, wrote a memoir of her own in 1864, so it's a little odd to have a novelized version.
I read this with the understanding that it was based on a true story, and the notes following the book emphasize this:
Although more than four hundred women are known to have dressed as men to fight in the Civil War, most of them were joining husbands, brothers, fathers, or fiancés. They had someone to help with their disguise and share the burden of their secret. Sarah Emma Edmonds was the only one known to have lived as a man before enlisting.
(The numbers I've seen regarding women who served in the Civil War in disguise actually range from something like 250 to 700, so four hundred is a happy median.)
But immediately after stressing the truth of the story, the author reveals that a major event at the end of the book was a complete fabrication, almost exactly the opposite of what really happened. The end of the story is not how the story ended. So, while "the bones of the story are all true", this event at the end "seemed like something that should have happened, and the advantage of fiction is that you can choose the shape of the story".
Yes, but – this isn't fiction. Not really. It's fictionalized. And I have a problem with the change that was made. Problems. For one, I don't see making a change this big at the end of the story of a woman few have heard of as any more acceptable than, say, changing the end of a certain evening in April 1864 to have John Wilkes Booth miss his shot, or than saying that eventually Thomas Jefferson freed and married Sally Hemings. Or to have Henry VIII say "You know, that Catherine is actually rather nice. I believe I'll go back to her and be a good husband." If a writer takes on the task of writing about a life, about an individual's existence, to make a change just because it feels like what should have happened is, in my opinion, intellectually dishonest. It breaks faith with the subject of the writing.
The other side of it is that now I have doubts about everything else in the book. There are some highly improbable events in the story, and the story as a whole is improbable, and I went along with all of it because, I was assured, it was all based on history. But. If that last really quite large happening never happened, I'm inclined to doubt the rest, however much the author assures me it's faithful. There was so much luck running through it – sheer dumb luck that kept Sarah/Frank from major injury in battle, not to mention from discovery – that it became a little hard to swallow; s/he glided through the War like the Maryest of Sues, able to do absolutely anything they set her to: she was a crack shot, a born rider, a gentle and patient nurse with an iron nerve, a natural spy, a daring messenger, and no more concerned about killing the enemy than the next man. So to speak. Very shortly she had everyone thinking Frank was the best fellow ever, and in the two years she fought only completely coverable glitches occurred, and – as I said, almost no one ever even entertaining a suspicion that Frank wasn't what he seemed to be in two years of sleeping and eating and everything else in close quarters with no real privacy. Only the "but she really existed!" thing kept me going. Once there was a hole knocked in that, all bets were off.
Image of Sarah Emma Edmundson (or Sarah Edmonds) as "Frank Thompson" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The point is played up that all the names in the book are true to life, that Sarah Emma Edmonds/Frank Thompson did indeed serve in the same unit with Damon Stewart (hmm) and Jerome Robbins (!) and so on. But I wish the real names had not been used. I feel like this would have been a more honest novel – more honest as a novel – if the heroine had been named Jane Doe calling herself Joe Schmoe, and bunked with a lad named John Doe and fell in love with Richard Roe. Or something. My understanding is that Sarah's experience served as the backbone of the book, and the plot was filled in with bits and pieces and shreds and patches from other tales of others of the four hundred women. If this had been straightforwardly presented as a composite portrait, leaning heavily on Sarah but not trying to revivify Sarah, I feel it would have been a much better book – a cleaner book, in a way.
Another way to keep it honest would have been to simply tell Sarah's story without messing about with facts.
You can't have it both ways. You can't preen about how factual the story is and then say "well except for this bit here which I just didn't like the historical reality of".
Finally, and this is purely a personal reaction, I find it very sad that Frank's way of proving his masculinity was to tell dirty stories and spit and scratch and fart.
November 14, 2015
The book started out well, and after a few chapters I felt it going downhill. The story kept changing, and when it wasn't changing it was repetetive. Alot of the descriptions were a waist of time and I just skipped passages at a time (Something I never do).
April 29, 2014
This is the story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as a man named Frank Thompson during the Civil War. Among her many adventures, she was a nurse on the battlefield and a spy for the Union Army, and was captured by (and escaped from) the Confederates. The novel is narrated by Sarah, offering readers an in-depth look not only at the Civil War but also at her journey to self-discovery as she grapples with living a lie and falling in love with one of her fellow soldiers.
This book intrigued me with the story of a real woman who fought in the Civil War. I have to say I was impressed by the level of dedication the author put into telling as close a rendition of Sarah's real story as it really happened, choosing to only describe the battles in which she or her unit were involved in. This made the story seem more realistic and really kept me interested in Sarah's story. Although the author does admit that some parts of her story are changed ever so slightly from what actually happened (won't tell you what you have to read it to find out), much of the descriptions, journal entries and much of the 'plot' (you have to remember this was a real war) actually come from the diaries of the soldiers in Sarah's regiment. This brings an unvarnished feel to the writing style, not bothering to cover up or romanticize just how gruesome this war really was. Overall, I would call this one of the best written, closest to the truth historical fiction novels I have ever read.
This book intrigued me with the story of a real woman who fought in the Civil War. I have to say I was impressed by the level of dedication the author put into telling as close a rendition of Sarah's real story as it really happened, choosing to only describe the battles in which she or her unit were involved in. This made the story seem more realistic and really kept me interested in Sarah's story. Although the author does admit that some parts of her story are changed ever so slightly from what actually happened (won't tell you what you have to read it to find out), much of the descriptions, journal entries and much of the 'plot' (you have to remember this was a real war) actually come from the diaries of the soldiers in Sarah's regiment. This brings an unvarnished feel to the writing style, not bothering to cover up or romanticize just how gruesome this war really was. Overall, I would call this one of the best written, closest to the truth historical fiction novels I have ever read.
April 13, 2021
I've always been fascinated by the American Civil War era and I love historical fiction, so of course I was drawn to this title. However, it wasn't what I was hoping for. While the real-life narrator is a fascinating subject, the way the book was written just didn't work for me. A lot of the book is spent in Sarah's head as she struggles to figure out who she is. That's completely understandable, and fine up to a point. But eventually, it got repetitive. Then when there was action, there was real, gritty action - too gruesome for my tastes. My favorite parts were definitely the spying bits. Those were pretty interesting, though it felt like some of them could have been fleshed out more, had less time been spent on the other stuff. I stuck with it because I wanted to see how Sarah's story turned out in the end. I guess I was mostly satisfied, though it felt a bit depressing.
June 9, 2013
I suppose, if I knew nothing about Sarah Emma Edmonds/Frank Thompson, if I knew nothing of women who disguised themselves to fight in the Civil War, if I enjoyed sappy romances....I might have enjoyed the story. But I didn't. Because Sarah Emma Edmonds/Frank Thompson was one of my heroines growing up. I read fictitious stories, biographies, any story I could get my hands on about her or the females who disguised themselves to fight. And so while I picked this book up with deep interest, I should have realized that my experience in the subject would be somewhat alienating. Though I am no where near as much an expert on her as I am on Mary, Queen of the Scots or the Lincoln assassination, I have a general knowledge that was slightly skeptical of this story.
On top of just little things, like the creative license taken with Sarah, three things specifically bothered me.
1. The writing. The first person style worked...to a point. It was rather limiting, though. Confusing. It's not quite a memoir, yet full of 'flash backs' so that it's hard to pin it down. Cluttered at times. I didn't really like it.
2. This was the real big one...the romance. There isn't much of an actual story here, as much as a girl disguising herself as a boy and getting all sappy over a soldier. A soldier who can never love her....just all confusing and weird. True love isn't all about the emotional hype, and that's all there is here. Butterflies and un-returned longing and....yeah. It got old because the story could have been so much more. It could have reflected an independent young woman fighting for her country and being creative and courageous. Instead, we mostly get her mooning over a guy.
3. The modern mindset was also glaringly distracting. This is a personal pet peeve. Sarah has nothing good to say about being female. She's all about independence, being her own person...all good things! Yet I cannot help but be skeptical of how much our 'modern' mindset on femininity would have entered her thoughts. Distracting at best, downright irritating at worst.
So....there is a better retelling out there. I mean, it wasn't a bad story. Probably someone else's cup of tea. Just not my idea of good historical fiction
On top of just little things, like the creative license taken with Sarah, three things specifically bothered me.
1. The writing. The first person style worked...to a point. It was rather limiting, though. Confusing. It's not quite a memoir, yet full of 'flash backs' so that it's hard to pin it down. Cluttered at times. I didn't really like it.
2. This was the real big one...the romance. There isn't much of an actual story here, as much as a girl disguising herself as a boy and getting all sappy over a soldier. A soldier who can never love her....just all confusing and weird. True love isn't all about the emotional hype, and that's all there is here. Butterflies and un-returned longing and....yeah. It got old because the story could have been so much more. It could have reflected an independent young woman fighting for her country and being creative and courageous. Instead, we mostly get her mooning over a guy.
3. The modern mindset was also glaringly distracting. This is a personal pet peeve. Sarah has nothing good to say about being female. She's all about independence, being her own person...all good things! Yet I cannot help but be skeptical of how much our 'modern' mindset on femininity would have entered her thoughts. Distracting at best, downright irritating at worst.
So....there is a better retelling out there. I mean, it wasn't a bad story. Probably someone else's cup of tea. Just not my idea of good historical fiction
August 26, 2014
This was originally a 5 star read for me, but I knocked a star off because the author changing the ending of Sarah's life really bothered me, but more on that in a minute.
I loved this book, the topic is fascinating and I am SO HAPPY to see a YA Historical Fiction title based on a female spy during the Civil War that actually existed. On top of that, it was about my 2nd favorite female spy to read about (Sorry Elizabetn Van Lew is still my fav! She's local!) My favorite part about this story is how true to Sarah Emma Edmonds life Marissa Moss tried to stay, until the end of the book. Because of the romantic feelings Sarah feels towards Jerome, Marissa changed how Sarah's life ended instead of having her married to her husband she has him die early and reunite with Jerome- because (as she states in the end notes) "it seemed like something that should have happened". While I am a romantic and agree that they should have ended up together, Sarah's husband outlived her and they built the home for veterans that Sarah dreamed of. To me, that is still a happy ending. But that is just me and it bothered me enough to knock a star off the review.
Other than the ending, I really loved this book. Moss does a wonderful capturing the insanity of battle and how Sarah might have felt as a woman dressed as a man, surrounded by men. I especially enjoyed the meeting between Sarah "Frank" and Pauline Cushman.
I highly recommend this book to any lover of historical fiction-- or someone who wants a story about a strong woman.
I loved this book, the topic is fascinating and I am SO HAPPY to see a YA Historical Fiction title based on a female spy during the Civil War that actually existed. On top of that, it was about my 2nd favorite female spy to read about (Sorry Elizabetn Van Lew is still my fav! She's local!) My favorite part about this story is how true to Sarah Emma Edmonds life Marissa Moss tried to stay, until the end of the book. Because of the romantic feelings Sarah feels towards Jerome, Marissa changed how Sarah's life ended instead of having her married to her husband she has him die early and reunite with Jerome- because (as she states in the end notes) "it seemed like something that should have happened". While I am a romantic and agree that they should have ended up together, Sarah's husband outlived her and they built the home for veterans that Sarah dreamed of. To me, that is still a happy ending. But that is just me and it bothered me enough to knock a star off the review.
Other than the ending, I really loved this book. Moss does a wonderful capturing the insanity of battle and how Sarah might have felt as a woman dressed as a man, surrounded by men. I especially enjoyed the meeting between Sarah "Frank" and Pauline Cushman.
I highly recommend this book to any lover of historical fiction-- or someone who wants a story about a strong woman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2020
Sarah Emma Emmonds is my hero! Little-known woman who passed as a soldier in the Union army and worked in the hospital.
April 6, 2020
Mrs. Prodoehl
Block 4
Lauren D
Quarter 3 Book Review on A Soldier’s Secret
Lexile Value: 860
A soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss is written in the first-person point of view of Sara Edmonds, a civil war hero. While this book is fiction, Sarah Edmonds really did live during the Civil War, and some of the books events actually took place. Sarah Edmonds, as a child was raised on a farm in Canada along with her mother, father, and brother. Sarah's father was very physically and verbally abusive towards his family. Sarah had to step up to fill her brother shoes because he was physically incapable. As a child Sarah did such things as hunting, breaking horses, taking care of livestock, and other farm-related things. Sarah left the farm at a very young age to flee an arranged marriage. Her father had arranged this marriage to a very seniored man in trade for a piece of land. Sarah left the farm at age sixteen, put on her brother's clothes, and changed her name to Frank Thompson. Frank for three years, after leaving, was a traveling book salesman. At the age of nineteen she first tried to sign up to join the Army. She was turned down, for the recruiter believed she sixteen because of her soft skin and large brown eyes, they made her “look more boy than man”. The next day, Frank attempted again, this time it was a different recruit that barely took a second look at her. All the recruiter asked was if she could read and write, she then told him she wanted to work as a field nurse. She would now be known as private Frank Thompson in Company F, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry of the Army of the Potomac. Frank then moved to camp in Washington where more than one hundred thousand other soldiers are also camped. Frank made friends with her tent mate, Damon and they did lots of there orders and drills together. When Damon and other soldiers are gambbeling, drinking, and fighting she steers clear of them. Instead, Frank will do drills, eat meals, clean artillery, and patch clothes with non-intoxicated soldiers. This continues for about four months until the Battle of Bull Run begins. As union starts the up hill battle and so does the chaos. Frank can only do one thing, be a nurse. She runs to every soldier on the ground that she can, hoping there alive. Soon the the chaos changes to fear. The retreat signal is given. Frank rides back to the hospital in Centreville. Frank is horrified by the sight and comes to realize what war actually means, death, pain, and gruesome suffering. Bodies were everywhere, some piled up like fire wood, others on the ground waiting to have an arm or leg amputated. This is where she meet Jerome, a fellow union nurse, and they become great friends. As they spend more and more time together, Frank becomes to like Jerome as more than a friend. This leads to her telling Jerome that she is a woman in disguise. This rattles their friendship for a while but they soon becomes just friends again. Frank eventually leaves the Army due to illness and fear of being found out. Her plan was to return after a month of recovering but, if she was seen as Frank she was to be “Shot on site” for desertion. During the war, Frank served as a soldier, field nurse, a spy, a writer, mail deliverer and, an orderly (the person who delivers messages from general to general during battle). She was the only “...woman to be recognized by acts of Congress as an honorably discharged soldier, with rights to back pay and a pension, and the only women allowed to join the Grand Army of the Republic, the association for Civil War veterans”(pg.366). Sarah/Frank died of malaria in 1898 at the age of fifty-six and “...was the only woman of her era granted a military funeral and is buried in a cemetery for Civil War veterans in Houston. Her headstone simply described her as a NURSE, the role she was proudest of” (pg.367).
A soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss is beautifully written, so much so that it feels as if you were actually there, living as Sarah Edmonds, and living her life. Every scene the author presents is so descriptive. It allows you to imagine what it actually was like to be there and to live ans a soldier during the Civil War. Another aspect I am keen about in Sarah’s story is how it glows with the power of women. It is inspiring. It developes a mindset that you can do anything you put your mind to, even if you are descriminated because of you sex. Throughout the novel, Marissa Moss establishes Sarah’s life goal; To be able to stand up for herself, to never back down to fear, and to be able to make her own choices. “I cowered then, as I did whenever Pa had a fit of his ugly temper, hating myself for not fighting back. I was taller than the time he had beaten me in the stable… , but he still had a good eighty pounds on me and fists like hammers. What could I do?”(pg.51). “Now I realize my whole childhood had been a lie, I promise Pa had no intention of keeping” “I just knew I wanted more from life than being harnessed as a mule by a grouchy old man. I'd already had years of that with Pa. I wasn't going to trade one master for another”(pg.52). The only way Sarah could be free from a man, was to become one. It would take an intense amount of bravery, not only to leave home at age sixteen, but also to disguise yourself as a man, considering it was illegal. “I know it's illegal… The law condemns it as ‘ an infringement on the Rights and Privileges of the lords of creation.’ ...men hold a natural position of superiority and women should stay in their place”(pg.55). This book is so well written and it should be a major accomplishment for Marissa Moss.
I think A soldier's Secret an awesome book and I would recommend it to anyone over the age of ten because everyone could relate to this story. This book was very unpredictable, it took twists and turns I couldn’t have possibly imagined. The ending was my favorite part but, it was also the part I disliked the most. The ending to the story is the only part the of the story that is not a direct refection of Sarah’s life. Marissa Moss is a beautifully written book and I would definitely read it again.
Block 4
Lauren D
Quarter 3 Book Review on A Soldier’s Secret
Lexile Value: 860
A soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss is written in the first-person point of view of Sara Edmonds, a civil war hero. While this book is fiction, Sarah Edmonds really did live during the Civil War, and some of the books events actually took place. Sarah Edmonds, as a child was raised on a farm in Canada along with her mother, father, and brother. Sarah's father was very physically and verbally abusive towards his family. Sarah had to step up to fill her brother shoes because he was physically incapable. As a child Sarah did such things as hunting, breaking horses, taking care of livestock, and other farm-related things. Sarah left the farm at a very young age to flee an arranged marriage. Her father had arranged this marriage to a very seniored man in trade for a piece of land. Sarah left the farm at age sixteen, put on her brother's clothes, and changed her name to Frank Thompson. Frank for three years, after leaving, was a traveling book salesman. At the age of nineteen she first tried to sign up to join the Army. She was turned down, for the recruiter believed she sixteen because of her soft skin and large brown eyes, they made her “look more boy than man”. The next day, Frank attempted again, this time it was a different recruit that barely took a second look at her. All the recruiter asked was if she could read and write, she then told him she wanted to work as a field nurse. She would now be known as private Frank Thompson in Company F, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry of the Army of the Potomac. Frank then moved to camp in Washington where more than one hundred thousand other soldiers are also camped. Frank made friends with her tent mate, Damon and they did lots of there orders and drills together. When Damon and other soldiers are gambbeling, drinking, and fighting she steers clear of them. Instead, Frank will do drills, eat meals, clean artillery, and patch clothes with non-intoxicated soldiers. This continues for about four months until the Battle of Bull Run begins. As union starts the up hill battle and so does the chaos. Frank can only do one thing, be a nurse. She runs to every soldier on the ground that she can, hoping there alive. Soon the the chaos changes to fear. The retreat signal is given. Frank rides back to the hospital in Centreville. Frank is horrified by the sight and comes to realize what war actually means, death, pain, and gruesome suffering. Bodies were everywhere, some piled up like fire wood, others on the ground waiting to have an arm or leg amputated. This is where she meet Jerome, a fellow union nurse, and they become great friends. As they spend more and more time together, Frank becomes to like Jerome as more than a friend. This leads to her telling Jerome that she is a woman in disguise. This rattles their friendship for a while but they soon becomes just friends again. Frank eventually leaves the Army due to illness and fear of being found out. Her plan was to return after a month of recovering but, if she was seen as Frank she was to be “Shot on site” for desertion. During the war, Frank served as a soldier, field nurse, a spy, a writer, mail deliverer and, an orderly (the person who delivers messages from general to general during battle). She was the only “...woman to be recognized by acts of Congress as an honorably discharged soldier, with rights to back pay and a pension, and the only women allowed to join the Grand Army of the Republic, the association for Civil War veterans”(pg.366). Sarah/Frank died of malaria in 1898 at the age of fifty-six and “...was the only woman of her era granted a military funeral and is buried in a cemetery for Civil War veterans in Houston. Her headstone simply described her as a NURSE, the role she was proudest of” (pg.367).
A soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss is beautifully written, so much so that it feels as if you were actually there, living as Sarah Edmonds, and living her life. Every scene the author presents is so descriptive. It allows you to imagine what it actually was like to be there and to live ans a soldier during the Civil War. Another aspect I am keen about in Sarah’s story is how it glows with the power of women. It is inspiring. It developes a mindset that you can do anything you put your mind to, even if you are descriminated because of you sex. Throughout the novel, Marissa Moss establishes Sarah’s life goal; To be able to stand up for herself, to never back down to fear, and to be able to make her own choices. “I cowered then, as I did whenever Pa had a fit of his ugly temper, hating myself for not fighting back. I was taller than the time he had beaten me in the stable… , but he still had a good eighty pounds on me and fists like hammers. What could I do?”(pg.51). “Now I realize my whole childhood had been a lie, I promise Pa had no intention of keeping” “I just knew I wanted more from life than being harnessed as a mule by a grouchy old man. I'd already had years of that with Pa. I wasn't going to trade one master for another”(pg.52). The only way Sarah could be free from a man, was to become one. It would take an intense amount of bravery, not only to leave home at age sixteen, but also to disguise yourself as a man, considering it was illegal. “I know it's illegal… The law condemns it as ‘ an infringement on the Rights and Privileges of the lords of creation.’ ...men hold a natural position of superiority and women should stay in their place”(pg.55). This book is so well written and it should be a major accomplishment for Marissa Moss.
I think A soldier's Secret an awesome book and I would recommend it to anyone over the age of ten because everyone could relate to this story. This book was very unpredictable, it took twists and turns I couldn’t have possibly imagined. The ending was my favorite part but, it was also the part I disliked the most. The ending to the story is the only part the of the story that is not a direct refection of Sarah’s life. Marissa Moss is a beautifully written book and I would definitely read it again.
November 2, 2018
SPOILERS:
Tyler Melton
Mr. Herman
Issues In Nonfiction
November 1, 2018
A Soldier’s Secret
In the book “A Soldier’s Secret” you have 1 main character. Her real name is Sarah Edmonds, but in the book, her name is Frank Thompson. The reason for this was because she was serving in the military and at the time, girls weren’t allowed to serve in war. When Sarah was very young she lived with her mother and her father. Sarah and her father never got along. He would always abuse her and hit her.
One of Sarah’s ways to cope with her father was to go in their barn. In their barn, they had plenty of animals, but the one that Sarah loved was the horse. This was her way to communicate with the animals. The two have been best friends ever since she was very young. It got to the point in Sarah’s life and eventually had the idea of running away because her father was so mean.
After running away she acquired the name, Frank Thompson. At the age of 19 Sarah signs for the Union Army of the Potomac. The reason for this is because she feels that when she was younger she didn’t get the respect and power that she deserves. At first, Sarah loves being apart of the army and then she gets surrounded by death and horror. She then soon finds out that she has to fulfill her duties as a nurse.
After becoming a nurse, Sarah decides that she doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore. She hates watching people die. Two days after she quit being a nurse, she gets a call from the General. He wants her to be their new spy. In hopes that while she goes through testing, they don’t find out about her secret. She doesn’t want the general to know that she is a girl. Sarah goes through all of the testing and General states that she is the one for the job. I enjoy this part of the story because it is one of the biggest turning points in the whole book. Sarah is only doing this for respect that she deserves and there are many risks involved.
As a spy, Sarah heads over to Potomac base in searching for answers for the enemy’s defense. This mission is very risky. Sarah knows that if she gets spotted, she’s dead. Her plan was to get inside of the base and act almost as like a slave and pretend to be doing work. As she is working she meets a kid. He actually decided to help her by switching jobs. Sarah wanted to get the water from the wells because she knew it was the only way to get inside of their base. This part is the most important because this situation is life or death.
Tyler Melton
Mr. Herman
Issues In Nonfiction
November 1, 2018
A Soldier’s Secret
In the book “A Soldier’s Secret” you have 1 main character. Her real name is Sarah Edmonds, but in the book, her name is Frank Thompson. The reason for this was because she was serving in the military and at the time, girls weren’t allowed to serve in war. When Sarah was very young she lived with her mother and her father. Sarah and her father never got along. He would always abuse her and hit her.
One of Sarah’s ways to cope with her father was to go in their barn. In their barn, they had plenty of animals, but the one that Sarah loved was the horse. This was her way to communicate with the animals. The two have been best friends ever since she was very young. It got to the point in Sarah’s life and eventually had the idea of running away because her father was so mean.
After running away she acquired the name, Frank Thompson. At the age of 19 Sarah signs for the Union Army of the Potomac. The reason for this is because she feels that when she was younger she didn’t get the respect and power that she deserves. At first, Sarah loves being apart of the army and then she gets surrounded by death and horror. She then soon finds out that she has to fulfill her duties as a nurse.
After becoming a nurse, Sarah decides that she doesn’t want to be a nurse anymore. She hates watching people die. Two days after she quit being a nurse, she gets a call from the General. He wants her to be their new spy. In hopes that while she goes through testing, they don’t find out about her secret. She doesn’t want the general to know that she is a girl. Sarah goes through all of the testing and General states that she is the one for the job. I enjoy this part of the story because it is one of the biggest turning points in the whole book. Sarah is only doing this for respect that she deserves and there are many risks involved.
As a spy, Sarah heads over to Potomac base in searching for answers for the enemy’s defense. This mission is very risky. Sarah knows that if she gets spotted, she’s dead. Her plan was to get inside of the base and act almost as like a slave and pretend to be doing work. As she is working she meets a kid. He actually decided to help her by switching jobs. Sarah wanted to get the water from the wells because she knew it was the only way to get inside of their base. This part is the most important because this situation is life or death.
October 4, 2018
A Soldier's Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, Civil War Hero, by: Marissa Moss, is an overall good historical fiction. doing fictional retelling of a young woman searching for a place in the world where it was taboo for things like that at the time. It excelled at retelling the life of Sarah Edmonds, a very interesting person with a long backstory, while still filling in the gaps to tell a good novel, making it good for most people, weather it be for knowledge or story time. I especially enjoyed the real life facts and trivia of the civil war after the story.
However, disliked the very end for it's fast paced, but slows down after a while to fully celebrate Sarah's accomplishments. I also disliked a few factual errors, and while some were believed by Sarah at the time, the ending was partially made up, which overall felt insulting to Sarah and a certain person (I will not say who due to spoilers).
However, it is still a good book, and the pros outweigh the cons, making this an overall good read, solidly at 4/5 stars in terms of quality.
However, disliked the very end for it's fast paced, but slows down after a while to fully celebrate Sarah's accomplishments. I also disliked a few factual errors, and while some were believed by Sarah at the time, the ending was partially made up, which overall felt insulting to Sarah and a certain person (I will not say who due to spoilers).
However, it is still a good book, and the pros outweigh the cons, making this an overall good read, solidly at 4/5 stars in terms of quality.
Read
December 2, 2019The book I read was a soldier's secret the book was about a girl sarah edmonds. She grew l up on a farm with an abusive father. she then runs away and lives her life as frank thompson a male in the 1800s who works a dangerous job.
What I liked most about the book was the will power of “frank thompson” she feared every moment of what she did but that didn't stop her she fought in the war was a nurse and a spy
While in love with her comrade i think the theme the author is trying to portray is “don't judge a book by its cover”. Because the book is about a girl living the life of a boy while everyone thinks she's nothing more than a boy implying you have to dig deep to see the reality of the stuff around you doesn't look like what it seems.
That is why I liked the book because the author is portraying this fearless man doing his job fighting for his country in the war when deep underneath it's just a girl scared to face the true reality of what's happening and to go back to her abusive father and just her family so that is what I liked about the book.
What I liked most about the book was the will power of “frank thompson” she feared every moment of what she did but that didn't stop her she fought in the war was a nurse and a spy
While in love with her comrade i think the theme the author is trying to portray is “don't judge a book by its cover”. Because the book is about a girl living the life of a boy while everyone thinks she's nothing more than a boy implying you have to dig deep to see the reality of the stuff around you doesn't look like what it seems.
That is why I liked the book because the author is portraying this fearless man doing his job fighting for his country in the war when deep underneath it's just a girl scared to face the true reality of what's happening and to go back to her abusive father and just her family so that is what I liked about the book.
August 14, 2023
A Soldier's Secret is a kindle book buried in the pages of my kindle. I thought it would be a quick read but alas 408 pages is not a quick read for me. To be honest, I am always skeptical of stories of females impersonating males, especially in a war setting. The funny thing is that I pretty well went into this read blind. The cover pretty much told me it would be a Civil War story.
Sarah begins her life in a rural setting in eastern Canada. She embarks on a journey that turns her into not just a soldier but a spy as well. The story started out strong with her family and what lend her to leave them behind. It is an interest journey, the places she went to and the people she met.
There were some great author note's, especially as the author explained what was fact and I must say she did stay true to history. I would have loved more time spend on the spying part verses being in Sarah's head for her internal dialogue, which was rather repetitive at times.
All in all an interesting story about an unknown heroine in US history.
Sarah begins her life in a rural setting in eastern Canada. She embarks on a journey that turns her into not just a soldier but a spy as well. The story started out strong with her family and what lend her to leave them behind. It is an interest journey, the places she went to and the people she met.
There were some great author note's, especially as the author explained what was fact and I must say she did stay true to history. I would have loved more time spend on the spying part verses being in Sarah's head for her internal dialogue, which was rather repetitive at times.
All in all an interesting story about an unknown heroine in US history.
August 15, 2024
I think I’d stick 3.5 stars on this one. After reading another fictional story which involved a woman pretending to be a man to fight in the civil war, I was intrigued when a friend from book club offered up this read. I was gripped by the storyline, and wanted to keep reading. I do understand this falls along the lines of historical fiction, but would like to read the character’s real life memoir to see if major war-time events differ as much as the conclusion of this fictionalized version do.
The epilogue really threw me as I read the true events in the brief pages detailing truths about who book was written about. I do understand that it’s fiction and the author can do whatever they want, but if it’s meant to be more biography/memoir-ish then it maybe should have followed more closely to the truth in terms of the closing chapter? However, if I take this for just fictional purposes, then I very much liked the way the story closed out.
Would recommend to a friend! Definitely wanting to read Sarah’s memoir as well.
The epilogue really threw me as I read the true events in the brief pages detailing truths about who book was written about. I do understand that it’s fiction and the author can do whatever they want, but if it’s meant to be more biography/memoir-ish then it maybe should have followed more closely to the truth in terms of the closing chapter? However, if I take this for just fictional purposes, then I very much liked the way the story closed out.
Would recommend to a friend! Definitely wanting to read Sarah’s memoir as well.
March 25, 2021
I did like this book, but...
It was a little heavy on the history and not heavy enough on the narrative. I also thought it was interesting that there was so much talk about battles and terrain and not a single map in the book. The story was also heavy on the narrative of all Northerners were good folk fighting to stop slavery and Southerners were often dishonorable and all fighting for the sole goal of maintaining slavery.
Those points aside, the story itself is amazing and the fact that the author tried to make the narrative as close to the historical records as possible, gives it added depth. And despite my assertion that this was historical fiction that was too much history, it wasn't written poorly.
If you are interested in the Civil War at all, I would definitely recommend this. Don't be turned off by the fact that it is labeled a YA book. The story of Frank Thompson/Sarah Emma Edmonds is one you should definitely know. Solid 3 stars.
It was a little heavy on the history and not heavy enough on the narrative. I also thought it was interesting that there was so much talk about battles and terrain and not a single map in the book. The story was also heavy on the narrative of all Northerners were good folk fighting to stop slavery and Southerners were often dishonorable and all fighting for the sole goal of maintaining slavery.
Those points aside, the story itself is amazing and the fact that the author tried to make the narrative as close to the historical records as possible, gives it added depth. And despite my assertion that this was historical fiction that was too much history, it wasn't written poorly.
If you are interested in the Civil War at all, I would definitely recommend this. Don't be turned off by the fact that it is labeled a YA book. The story of Frank Thompson/Sarah Emma Edmonds is one you should definitely know. Solid 3 stars.
January 22, 2019
This was an amazing book, and one that I truly enjoyed because of the time in history the book is set in. The civil war is a topic that really interests me, and I have always loved to read about it, regardless of non fiction or fiction. This was an excellent story telling about a female soldier named Sarah Edmonds, who struggled to disguise herself, while at the same time fitting into the all-man US Army. Her disguise was that of Frank Thompson, and in this disguise she served as a nurse, while undergoing harrowing challenges in the face of constant danger. This was truly a heroic story, and the description of certain scenes really helps you imagine what is going on and what it is like for the characters. I highly recommend this book to civil war fanatics and to anyone looking for a good read.
January 11, 2023
Changed things up w a YA historical fiction novel - sophie said she read it in 5th grade and it got her so good (in so many words) and said it was worth the read even as a post-grad adult and i totally agree. this was a good push for me in my attempt to expand my genre repertoire.
this book was a cool and true story of a woman doing awesome things that also helped me gain a greater understanding of the innards of the civil war and american war/history in general. had me sweaty at multiple parts for sure. ending felt a little sudden, but it had an epilogue that made it feel more complete. overall a solid read (i read more than half of it in one night on my comfy couch, kinda an awesome experience).
this book was a cool and true story of a woman doing awesome things that also helped me gain a greater understanding of the innards of the civil war and american war/history in general. had me sweaty at multiple parts for sure. ending felt a little sudden, but it had an epilogue that made it feel more complete. overall a solid read (i read more than half of it in one night on my comfy couch, kinda an awesome experience).
February 18, 2025
The story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as a man named Frank Thompson during the Civil War. Among her many adventures, she was a nurse on the battlefield and a spy for the Union Army, and was captured by (and escaped from) the Confederates. The novel is narrated by Sarah, offering readers an in-depth look not only at the Civil War but also at her journey to self-discovery as she grapples with living a lie and falling in love with one of her fellow soldiers.
I found this a compelling story about Sarah Edmonds and of the Civil War from the perspective of a few soldiers. I would have like it more if it didn't focus so much on the longing of a relationship between Sarah (Frank) and another soldier.
Could be a a potential ESL book club book though a bit long.
I found this a compelling story about Sarah Edmonds and of the Civil War from the perspective of a few soldiers. I would have like it more if it didn't focus so much on the longing of a relationship between Sarah (Frank) and another soldier.
Could be a a potential ESL book club book though a bit long.
June 23, 2017
Nothing wrong with how a female decided to up and change her whole life and become a boy during that period. That is actually amazing how she decided to do that.
Is just that the story aspect is not interesting, and the author edit her life to the point that only interesting parts were left behind. And like in real life, not everything that is interesting would be amazing. Especially since is in the war period. Which kinds of sucks.
I would not re-read the book, and I would not recommend it unless somebody want to feel inspire to do what she did or had a homework to do about her.
Is just that the story aspect is not interesting, and the author edit her life to the point that only interesting parts were left behind. And like in real life, not everything that is interesting would be amazing. Especially since is in the war period. Which kinds of sucks.
I would not re-read the book, and I would not recommend it unless somebody want to feel inspire to do what she did or had a homework to do about her.
September 17, 2019
This is young adult historical fiction about a fascinating Civil War soldier. The writing is solid overall and certainly held my attention but is undermined by over-the-top descriptions of the protagonist’s romantic feelings, which I think also weaken the portrayal of an incredible real-life individual. Although I read this book to my 8-yo, it really is a young adult book. Even aside from the violence of war, the book is rife with profanity, and the sexual innuendo is probably inappropriate for most younger children.
October 7, 2025
The Soldier's Secret is a fascinating book about Sarah Edmonds, who disguises herself as a man named Frank Thompson to fight in the Civil War. During her time in the war, she becomes a skilled nurse, spy, postmaster, and writer. Sarah shows bravery and fearlessness despite having a difficult childhood with an abusive father. At sixteen, she escapes her home by dressing in her brother’s clothes, finally gaining the freedom she longed for. From her story, I learned the importance of being brave and strong during life’s challenges.
June 21, 2019
La historia me ha encantado, sobre todo sabiendo que es una historia real y que Sarah/Frank existió y luchó en el ejército haciéndose pasar por hombre. Sin embargo, no le puedo dar más nota porque está MUY mal escrito. Ha habido momentos que me he planteado dejarlo y leer en wikipedia cómo termina la historia.
January 10, 2017
It was enjoyable to read. Sarah Emma Edmunds is an incredible character. I respect her desire to enter the army as a man and fight for her country and her ability to work with all the concerns associated with avoiding discovery.
March 14, 2017
Sarah Emma Edmonds, also known as Frank Thompson, is one of the bravest people, I believe, that played a role in the Civil War. Her bravery and willpower are larger than anyone else's I know of, even mine. Putting myself in Sarah’s shoes, I would absolutely want to masquerade as a man fighting in the Union army especially after living a life of misery back at her farm in Canada. I can understand Sarah’s strong desire for freedom and to prove herself to the world. I seek adventure and opportunities to help people, just as Sarah did. I want to be just as heroic and brave as she was, and to be a part of something bigger than myself. That feeling of importance and comradery feels almost like a drug, you can’t get enough of it, and being a soldier in a war would give me just that. Even though I may think all that way, still I'm afraid that if I was actually there right in the middle of a battle, I would chicken out. It’s almost impossible to understand what Sarah felt in the middle of a battle, trying to save others while still having to look out for yourself. Under all that pressure to keep your real identity a secret, to be a good soldier, and to be a honorable man, I fear I would crack. To do what Sarah did, over 150 years ago, takes some real guts and I'm not sure I, or many others, have them.
September 18, 2017
This book is the perfect example of a heroic girl fighting for freedom. This determined 19 year old girl steps out of her abusive household and heads out to war. She finds herself fighting, falling in love and proving what's right and what's wrong.
July 15, 2017
Slow starter for me. Definitely worth hanging in there! I read it out loud during a road trip, and my husband enjoyed it as well.
November 10, 2018
4.5 stars.
November 16, 2022
I’m definitely going to read this book again, best book I have ever read!!!! ❤️
April 26, 2023
had to read this for school 🤠 i actually thought the plot might’ve had a chance but it just wasn’t good 😭🥲
May 9, 2023
Rubbish.
March 14, 2024
Beautifully written. Nothing gratuitous. No repititions. You really root for the heroine!
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