Mountain Valor

by Gloria Houston

With her father and brothers gone to serve in the Civil War and her mother sick, teenage Valor ignores what is proper behavior for a girl and fights to defend her North Carolina mountain farm.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1994

About the author

Gloria Houston was a teacher and a native of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Houston taught students of all ages. Ms. Houston wrote several books for children, including the best-selling My Great-Aunt Arizona, illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb; The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, illustrated by Barbara Cooney; and LittleJim. She lived in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a great historical fiction book with a strong female lead for middle grades. My kids will definitely be reading this when they get older!

Some of my favorite lines:

Pg 218
“Sometimes it take more courage to walk away than do another person harm...You was mighty fearful, and you did what had to be done anyway. But you made a fine choice not to kill your enemy.”

“Courage is not lack of fear. Courage is being afraid, but doing a thing anyway-because it must be done.”

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago (when I was still in middle school) and the memory still sticks with me even now. I definitely recommend it!

[kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 5th grade and i can say i loved this book so much as much as I do now.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

But remember to say thanks! "Zoe?!" Unless you'll be into some some spanks! "Thank, you"

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 maybe

[Laura Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaving the 5 stars I rated this book as a child, but as an adult I'd probably give it 2.5? I remember this being a foot in the door for historical fiction for me and I vividly remember the opening couple of chapters, but as a whole it didn't live up to the excellent middle grade fiction I've read in recent years. I do love that it's set in NC though.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good book

[Jensy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!!!!