John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy

Based on a True Story

by E.F. Abbott

Meet the youngest person to fight in the civil war in this middle grade historical fiction novel, part of the Based on a True Story series.

Do you have what it takes to run off and join the army, leaving your family behind? That's what John Lincoln Clem, a nine-year-old boy living in Ohio, does as the American Civil War rages on.

In 1861, Johnny sneaks onto a train filled with men from the 3rd Ohio Union Regiment, determined to fight for his country. Taken in by the older soldiers, Johnny becomes a drummer boy - not to mention the youngest person to serve in the war. Living a soldier's life, Johnny experiences the brutalities of battle and the hunger and illness in between. Eventually he is captured by the Confederates, imprisoned, and then sent home a hero.

John Lincoln Civil War Drummer Boy by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb writing as E. F. Abbott, with illustrations by Steven Noble, is a fascinating novel for young readers, featuring black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. This book has Common Core connections.

The Based on a True Story books by E. F. Abbott are exciting historical fiction stories about real children who lived through extraordinary times in American History.


"Johnny’s pluck, erstwhile patriotism, and sheer determination make him a likable and sympathetic hero. . . . the blend of strong story and illustrations brings to life a unique Civil War tale." - Booklist

"In one of four titles launching the Based on a True Story series, Abbott (a pseudonym for author Kristin O’Donnell Tubb) profiles the youngest known soldier in the American Civil War.... Twenty short chapters, interwoven with archival photos and Noble’s line drawings, depict the grueling realities of a being a Civil War soldier...while dashes of hope...help keep this war story palatable for younger audiences." - Publishers Weekly

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Civil War, War, Childrens, Fiction, American History

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2017

About the author

E.F. Abbott is a pseudonym used by multiple authors: Susan Hill, Jane Kelley, Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, and Karen Romano Young.

Reviews

[Katie Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the Inspiration Soup article of 99 Outstanding Historical Fiction Books for Kids. I found it fascinating. It chronicles the life of John Lincoln Clem, a Civil War drummer, who joined the war at age 9. I knew being a drummer during the Civil War was an extremely important job. I remember hearing that, since the drumbeats could be heard over the sound of guns and cannons, it was often the last sound a soldier heard before he died. The book said, “If you ask Johnny, it {his drum} was the most powerful weapon on the battlefield. Which beats needed to be played were called out by the general (Grant in the Battle of Shiloh) and drummed by the drummers. They told the soldiers what they were supposed to do: advance, retreat, surrender, etc. Clem showed more bravery than other adult soldiers did in battle.
I would say this book is good for grades 4-7. It would be an excellent addition to a Civil War unit. While students may not run away and go to war for what they believe in, they can take inspiration from Clem to take action in some other way to make their community or country better.

[Lane Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never underestimate the heart of a child, nor a children’s book for matter. John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy is a very powerful and real story told with none of power or reality missing. I’m tempted to claim to be biased, having harassed the author when she was child and friend of my baby sister, but bias has nothing to do with how much I loved this book. The horror of any war, but especially a war that would allow and aid a nine-year-old boy to become a soldier, should cause a shudder at man’s inhumanity to man. Yet out of that horror, we often see man’s greatest moments when lives are risked for the freedom of others. That this idea is so quickly grasped and heroically expressed by a child tempers with purity the nobility of his cause. As war’s nightmare progresses I was grateful that the views of carnage were brief, but more so that they were not ignored, or attempted to be explained away. This is one of my more recent favorite books because this is an incredible story, well told, about the power of a child’s belief in what is right to achieve the incredible.

[Rae Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner for young readers interested in the Civil War stories. Perfect for fans of adventure stories.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The boys and I LOVED this one. It’s based on a true story of a very young boy (9!) joining with the Union in the Civil War. and the author kept as much to the facts as possible—even using direct quotes from John Lincoln Clem. The book has photos and art and maps making the battles and marches come alive. The kids begged me for “one more chapter” every time I read.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction will be sure to excite and inspire young readers. John Joseph Clem, at age 9, was determined to join the Union army and fight to preserve the United States. He decided to change his middle name to Lincoln when he joined up. He left behind his father and a younger brother and sister. John learned to be a drummer, using the various drumming codes to message the troops according to his orders given him. Eventually John decided he wanted to actually fight and was made a sergeant after an act of bravery. He served during some major battles and unfortunately was wounded at one point and then captured, spending some time in a Confederate prison. He did survive and returned home to a hero's welcome in his hometown of Newark, OH. The book includes many black and white photo reproductions, author's notes, a glossary of terms as well as a glossary of drum codes. Young readers of elementary age will find this a fast and inspiring read. Some of the descriptions of battles and the aftermath can be overwhelming, frightening and disgusting.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lincoln Clem was a young patriot who chose to fight with Union soldiers during the Civil War. Not much is known about his first year and a half as a boy soldier, so Abbott has created a realistic story of what might have happened. Abbott uses real-life occurrences from the Civil War and from that time period to create a moving depiction of what John might have experienced. I appreciated the photos scattered throughout the book, which added more to the historical accuracy. Also, at the back of the book, Abbott includes quotes from John Clem and a glossary of terms and drum calls. This book is perfect for historians young and old and reminds all of us how precious our freedom is and what sacrifices were made to keep that freedom. Excellent book.

[Renee Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, nine year old John Clem sneaks onto a train to join the Union army. He trains in Kentucky, battles in Tennessee and eventually ends up in Georgia. Along his journey,, John learns how to drum and shoot a musket. He learns to fight for what’s right and what it feels like to be truly homesick. Do you have a Civil War reader in your house? If so, add John Lincoln Clem Civil War Drummer Boy to their “to read” list!

Full review can be read on my blog: http://yoursideandmine.com/john-linco...

[Gia Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! So Much Yes! I am so excited about this series of books. I'm always looking for historical novels rich in historical accuracy for my kid. The added bonus of this series is that all the main characters are based on real people. My 7 year old absolutely loved this book. We devoured it in 3 days. I highly recommend this for the budding history buffs out there.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful introduction to the "real" Civil War through the eyes of a nine year old Union drummer boy! This is a must for any elementary/middle school library collection. This well written historical fiction is bases on the life of John Joseph Klem.

[Alex Buddington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book title: John Lincoln Clem - Civil War Drummer Boy
Author: E.F. Abbott
Illustrations: Steven Noble

Reading Level: MG
Book Level: 4.6

Summary: Historical fiction book based on the real story of nine-year-old John Lincoln Clem, who sneaks onto a train to join the Third Ohio Union Regiment fighting in the civil war.

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Trait:

Presentation -- printed writing is clear, legible, and appropriately sized for the reading level. The font as well as illustrations are appropriate for the content of the text. All margins are appropriately sized. The use of text features are appropriate and supplement the text in a suitable way.

Additional suggestions:

I would absolutely make this book available to students if you are teaching a unit or lesson about the civil war. The story focuses on a unique individual who was the youngest person to fight in the civil war at the age of nine. Your younger students may find it particularly interesting to learn about someone so young being involved with war. The book is educational because it focuses on a real historical figure, but it keeps young readers engaged by adding an interesting narrative. This book would also be suitable for any classroom discussion around bravery or children who have done amazing things in the past.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Joseph Clem is 9-years-old and ready to fight for his country. Everyone laughs when he tries to join up with the 3rd Ohio, so he sneaks onto the train, and hides under a seat. The soldiers still laugh when they find him, but decide to humor him. They give him food, a uniform, and finally a drum. William teaches him the drum calls, and just like that, he's doing his part. He even changes his middle name to Lincoln.

Like all the soldiers, Johnny is ready for action, but war is a slow process, and it isn't pretty. They walk many miles a day, thirsty, hungry, sunburned, dirty, and lice infested. But nothing could have prepared him for the Battle of Shiloh. Drummers had to serve double duty, pulling the wounded from the battlefield. "Johnny vomited more than once, usually when he saw a limb with no body."

Eventually, he joins up with the 22nd Michigan. He's captured and briefly imprisoned at Andersonville. Famous Civil War photographer Matthew Brady gets a photo and "Johnny Shiloh" makes national news before heading home.

Though this book is historical fiction, Johnny Clem was a real drummer boy in the Union Army. The author tried to match the historical record as closely as possible. It's amazing to me that a 9-year-old boy was independent enough to leave home and remain under such terrible conditions. The minute things got tough, I would have high-tailed it out of there! I never knew drummers had a whole slew of different drum calls that served as communication between officers and soldiers. It makes sense.

This book is both short and well-written. If a kid asks you for a good Civil War historical fiction book, make sure this one is on your shelf.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really wonderful book that is based on a true story of a young boy who runs away from home to fight in the Civil War. It is almost an unbelievable story which is what makes it such a great read. I loved how the book had actual pictures from the Civil War and maps. It shows the realities of war in a real, yet tasteful, way - important for all to think about. This is a great book for young readers.

[Corine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud book! Kept up our interest and it was interesting to learn about the importance of drummers during the civil war. It was a nice balance of seeing the excitement of a young boy ready to join the fight for the Union, but also the realities of how terrible fighting really was and the devastating consequences, written in an age appropriate way. Excellent read!

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was part of our American history curriculum, but we ended up not finishing it. The real John Lincoln Clem made up so much about his service that it is uncertain where his lies end and the truth begins. Instead of continuing with this book, which was not great to begin with, we read some information online about Clem and we're moving on to something with better writing.

[Megan Dunlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good historical fiction read-aloud with my kids, as it focuses on an unusual and notable participant in the Civil War. The writing style wasn’t my favorite, but it kept my kids interested and was an age-appropriate handling of death and gore.

[Mikel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I had a great time reading this book for his non-fiction book report. It inspired some important conversations.

[Shanshan]

Good story for Civil War unit. Couldn't be used as a spine like I'd hoped but was based on real events. A couple scenes were pretty graphic.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read-aloud, Oct. '24.

Civil War, story of the youngest Union soldier.

[Cassandra White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great telling of the story of this young soldier. Real raw details of war rather than romanticizing it but not too much that my kids couldn’t handle it.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by all the hoopla associated with the military men heading off to war in their fine regalia during the Civil War, nine-year-old John Joseph Clem--he later drops the Joseph and adds Lincoln to his name--slips onto a train carrying the troops from Ohio to battle and manages to hide himself. He ends up becoming a drummer for the Union, and thanks to some of the other men, he is even paid for his work. The book recounts many of his experiences as he participates in battles in Lebanon, Shiloh, and Chickamauga, eventually earning the rank of colonel. Although the book is filled with some humor, it also provides an up close perspective on the wages of war, including the many deaths from battle but also from illnesses off the battlefield. It also vividly depicts what happens when men have gone too long without food and shelter, at one point, presumably sacrificing another drummer's pet dog, Reb. Although the author has taken liberties with the actual story, even sending Clem to Andersonville prison in the South at one point, this one is an unusual story simply because of its subject matter and Clem's tender age. It's easy to see how he might have been caught up in all the excitement of war, only to realize too late what war actually involves.

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lincoln Clem is nine years old, and a resident of Ohio. With the US Civil War going on, and his mother dead, he decides to run off and join the US army. With the Third Ohio Union Regiment, he partakes in many battles (including Shiloh) and ends a war hero. The main character, despite being humanly quick to anger, is a very good person and surprisingly level headed for someone his age at that occupation. He meets many people, including a malcontent and a runaway slave, and is shows his bravery marching into battle Rat-a-tat-tatting. It appears to be historically accurate, and the use of photographs bring a real world touch to it. All of the characters have good motivations, but there is one simple problem. I simply feel that book is slightly sad, with many characters dying or disappearing for no reason. But the very strong ending makes up for it, although the last few pages are a drag. All in all, I feel that it is a strong historical fiction book for 8-12 year olds.
Charles M., age 12, Richmond Mensa

[Jennifer Fenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great piece of MG/YA historical fiction! The story of John Lincoln Clem, a celebrated Civil War drummer, has enough action to hook readers, but never trivializes the horrors of war. John runs away to join the Union troops at the age of nine, becoming a drummer and later actually fighting in the War. Authentic period detail make this a truly interesting read even for adults. The author's note explains what's fact and what fiction in this entertaining read, a great addition for this age-group.

[Patsi Trollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tagline - "Meet the youngest person to fight in the Civil War" - made me reach for this book. The story proved to be a fine combination of factual history and compelling story-telling. John Lincoln Clem, at age 9, ran away from home and attached himself to an Ohio regiment as a drummer boy. In this book, readers glimpse (in an age-appropriate way) his sometimes exciting, sometimes horrible - and occasionally humorous - experiences in times of war. This book offers young readers a rare opportunity to see the war through the eyes of a person close to them in age.

[Amber Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won my ARC copy through a GoodReads give away

I enjoy learning anything there is to learn about the Civil War so this was an enjoyable book. A short read for any adult. I picked it up and finished it this afternoon. It's loosely based on an actual Civil War veteran, one I knew nothing about. I'd say this book would be age appropriate for even young "tweens". Glad I entered the give away, an enjoyable read for sure.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Civil War story based on a true story, that focuses on the war from the perspective of a drummer boy. Nice afterword and some great photographs of the white and the African American drummer boys. I read this as an ARC and was on the way to giving it five stars, but felt it fell off at the end and started telling rather than showing. Overall an excellent addition as it walks a nice line between stories that avoid battles and stories that are nothing but battles.

[Dayanette Tolentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I love it... It worth and most courage he doing and show prove that he will make hero and want his pop and anybody proud of him so actually did ... But he is lucky be alive been shot twice and missed bullet went through his head it is his proud but rev took from it

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a well researched and educational middle grade book. I love history, so this book was right up my alley. I learned some because I had never heard of Johnny before.The illustrations and the photos really added to the story. I would recommend this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars.