The River Between Us

by Richard Peck

Richard Peck is a master of stories about people in transition, but perhaps never before has he told a tale of such dramatic change as this one, set during the first year of the Civil War. The whole country is changing in 1861-even the folks from a muddy little Illinois settlement on the banks of the Mississippi. Here, fifteen-year-old Tilly Pruitt frets over the fact that her brother is dreaming of being a soldier and that her sister is prone to supernatural visions. A boy named Curry could possibly become a distraction.

Then a steamboat whistle splits the air. The Rob Roy from New Orleans docks at the landing, and off the boat step two remarkable figures: a vibrant, commanding young lady in a rustling hoop skirt and a darker, silent woman in a plain cloak, with a bandanna wrapped around her head. Who are these two fascinating strangers? And is the darker woman a slave, standing now on the free soil of Illinois? When Tilly's mother invites the women to board at her house, the whole world shifts for the Pruitts and for their visitors as well.

Within a page-turning tale of mystery, adventure, and the civilian Civil War experience, Richard Peck has spun a breathtaking portrait of the lifelong impact that one person can have on another. This is a novel of countless riches.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Civil War, Fiction, War, Teen

Audio CD

First published September 29, 2003

About the author

Richard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1861. Tilly Pruitt lives in Illinois with her brother Noah, her sister Cass and their mother. With their father gone, they are struggling to make ends meet. Then a stranger from New Orleans steps off a steamboat headed to St Louis. Delphine and her companion Calinda are like nothing the small town of Grand Tower has ever seen. They cannot continue their journey to St. Louis, so Mrs. Pruitt takes them in as paying boarders. Rumors begin to fly around town immediately. Residents wonder if the darker woman, Calinda, is a slave, or if the two women are spies for the south. And why is the Pruitt family harboring southerners? Little do they all know the deep effect they will all have on each others lives and futures.

This story is told as a flashback, as Tilly's grandchildren come for a visit in 1916. The children learn the story of their dad's family, and a family secret or two.

This is just a lovely story. It has such vibrant descriptions and memorable characters. I just happened to find this book at the local thriftshop and picked it up. I'm glad I did. It was a very enjoyable read.

Richard Peck has written many books for children, including A Year Down Yonder, which won the Newberry Medal in 2001. This is the first book I've read by him. I plan to read more! Wonderful story!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy and fast historical fiction book for kids on the Civil war, but yet very good for adults. I love Richard Peck and have read many of his books to my kids over the years. We own many of them, so when my kids pick one up I know it is appropriate for the age and I also know they are in for a treat because all of his stories I have enjoyed.

This was a mild telling of some historical events that occurred in the Civil war era so that kids could glimpse at what it must have been like without scarring them for life. I loved the character description and development, as well as the attention to detail given to that era. This was a solid 4 stars for me, but I will up it one more because it was age appropriate and well written.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow at first, but it really picked up and it really packed a punch!! I learned so much about from this different view of the Civil War, and things I never knew about the culture of New Orleans. There is a small amount of graphic violence in a battle scene. Richard Peck is an excellent author, and although I do prefer his comedies, this was a very well written book. 4 1/2 stars from me.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kept me reading this book was the fact that everything that was going on, was happening during the Civil War time period. I believe the author's intention for writing this book was to let the reader see what life was like during that time. My favorite character was Delphine Duval. Delphine was my favorite character because she's very spunky, has a very high spirit, always looks on the bright side of things, and she's also extremely brave and courageous. My least favorite character was Mrs. Pruitt, or Mama. Mrs. Pruitt was my least favorite character because she worries WAY too much, she's WAY too protective, and she tends to be very negative about a lot of things. The portion of the book that captivated my attention is on page 63, in the second paragraph, the last sentence of the second paragraph and all of the third paragraph. This portion captivated my attention because the author mentions a death drawer. The emotions this book caused me to feel, were those of excitement, adventurous and courageousness. I wasn't able to predict the ending the book. I didn't have any idea how it would end. I would recommend this book to my history teacher, Coach Hubble. I would also recommend this book to Mrs. Trice and Mrs. Pepper, my English teachers. If this book was made into a movie, I don't have the slightest idea which actors I would choose to play the characters. Although, I'm sure I would eventually find the people (actors) that would fit the descriptions of each of the characters. My favorite line from the book is on page 86, in the third paragraph, it says,"We sat in a great satin-lined, tufted candy box, glowing like high noon under the chattering chandeliers. It was exactly what I hoped the world would be- this bright, with gold dust in the air, and throbbing with the music."

[Helena Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Peck is an outstanding writer. I loved this look at Grant's first offensive on the Mississippi River and at the free black people of New Orleans and how their lives were impacted by the Civil War.

[Madonnasharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott O’Dell Award & National Book Award (2004) The River between Us by Richard Peck
Grade level: 7th & up

The criteria given for this award is that it be historical fiction about events in “The New World”, written in English by a citizen of U.S. and be for children or young adults. Peck’s masterpiece fits the criteria and more; this is the first book that I have read by this author and I promptly added two more to my “to read” list. I like his style, it is simple, but beautiful, and the choice of events and characters makes me want to know more about their lives. I see young adults, 13-18, really getting into this book and its topics: the subject of first love, the war, the mysterious and of course honor, friendship, family and courage. I just kept saying, they are only 16 and seem to have so much to teach us. Delphine is memorable in her perfections and her imperfections, Tilly and the reader learn so much about faith and belief in oneself from her. The themes, symbols and conflicts are well woven into the plot and the mystery of the story. Peck artfully holds his reader in suspense, but are we really surprised at the end? The title is meaningful and the subtle introductions of vicious and evil characters are well-done and will help the young adult reader to see the importance of looking deeper into a person’s soul and not judging by appearance. “She never knew when somebody would…see her for who she was and turn on her. “ But through Tilly‘s eyes, we see who she really is and we love Delphine and accept her.

I love history and stories, so this was so cool to read and learn some new facts about the Civil War, which I have taught. But there is always something new to learn, especially the details about Illinois. I was intrigued that Peck spoke through a woman character for much of the story and he did a great job portraying how a woman might feel. At the end, “young Bill’s oldest son, Howard says, “This was something Grandma Tilly couldn’t understand – how war promises a boy it can make a man out of him.” Now, I realized that Peck had not only told a great story, but he gave his readers two points of view and carefully developed this in the one story. Mothers, sisters and sweethearts will probably never really understand why the young man they love goes off to war. This easy to read novel is a definite award winner.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois.

Richard Peck writes about Tilly Peck and her family in Grand Tower, Illinois along a settlement town along the Mississippi River, set in 1861 just before the Civil War begins. The story opens with Howard Leland Hutchings telling of the road trip he, his dad, Dr. William Hutchings, and his two younger brothers, Raymond and Earl make from St. Louis to Grand Tower. Grand Tower is Dr. Hutchings home town and he is returning to visit his mother Tilly and father, the first Dr. William Hutchings and his Uncle Noah and Aunt Delphine, who all live at the "old home place" together. It is during this visit that Howard learns about the family history its involvement in the Civil War, and is told a family secret.
Though Peck begins the story in first person with Howard as narrator, parts of the book are told by an unknown narrator or the reader must assume that Howard is telling the story as it was told to him by his grandmother Tilly. Peck has a way of hooking the reader through his characters, especially his female characters, you want to read to see what they will do next. The theme of this book could be that we are bound by family ties and it is through love and sacrifice that enables families to survive.
The River Between Us was a National Book Award nominee in 2003.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to think... O.O

[Elizabeth Santelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Located in small town southern Illinois. It’s a great between the states version of a Civil War story. Neighbors fall on each side and that causes complexities.

I read it hoping it would be for the curriculum but I think maybe there’s a bit much violence. The littlest sister sees ghosts in the future. It’s an interesting plot device to make things ominous with out killing off main characters. But it does feel a bit scary for young kids. I think it would be enjoyable for adults and 3rd grade and up but not really younger or for more sensitive kids. It could easily be made for them by skipping a bit.

I enjoyed the peek into New Orleans culture though the visitor that comes to stay. The complicated social hierarchy had missed my radar and I found it intriguing. It has a bit of time period appropriate language that may need to be discussed but nothing appalling.

They manage to cover so many parts of civil war life. Homefront, river life, illness and camp nursing, and more. Anyway… I found it to be a generally compelling but I don’t want to give spoilers

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the reason I enjoyed this novel so much is the southern Illinois setting--where my husband grew up. I liked the story line of this historical fiction novel.
Finished it again (2013)--read it basically twice with my two different classes. Love this book. Most of my students felt this was their favorite of the four historical novels we have read so far this year.
Another reread with two more classes. This year's class was not as into it as last year. Interesting how class personality changes the reading.
Fourth year doing this class novel--Aug/Sept2015
Fifth year. One class LOVED it; the other did not--Aug/Sept 2016
This year's classes made GREAT connections--Sept 2017
2020--here begins class of non-readers. One group as a whole really struggled with this novel. They enjoyed it, but it was too complex for them without SIGNIFICANT assistance.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7th grader asked me to read this because he didn't understand a few parts. A fantastic book taking place at the start of the civil war. The discussion that followed was worth millions with my son. I wish I had to read great books when I was in school.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My most favorite book of Richard Peck's, funny, sad and heart rending.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️I just love Richard Peck. His Newbery-honored books, A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, are ones I read over and over again. He has a warm, folksy, often humorous style of writing.

This book is warm and folksy. It is not humorous. The story begins in 1916, when a father loads up his car with his 3 sons and heads to his childhood home in Grand Tower, Illinois. Howard Leland Hutchings is 15, and his twin brothers are 5. Howard narrates the first and last chapter of the book. Everything in between flashes back to his grandparents and their family’s story of life in Grand Tower as the country prepared for Civil War. It is an eye-opening tale of what life was like for the young boys who became soldiers, and the families that loved them. It is very thought provoking, touching on facts during that time that I sure hadn’t heard before. I’m glad to have read it, and grateful for what it taught me. If you like reading historical fiction set during the Civil War, add this one to your TBR.

[Zai'Kiya]

I liked the book it had a lot of impacts and sad and happy moments at the end of the book. But overall I like the book.

[Laura Noto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary-
The River Between Us is a chapter book for 7th to 12th graders. It is a story that takes place in Illinois in the beginning of the Civil War. The narrator is a 15-year-old Caucasian girl named Tilly Pruitt. She lives with her mother, her twin brother Noah, and her younger sister Cass. Two mysterious strangers come into town (one lighter skinned and dressed very eloquently and the other darker skinned, dressed less formal, with a wrap on her head) and Tilly’s mother offers them a room to stay in. Cass bonds with Calinda immediately and everyone is fascinated with Delphine. Since Calinda has darker skin and she doesn’t dress as fancy as Delphine, rumors spread that she is an escaped slave. Tilly and her family know this probably isn’t true but they wonder about where they came from. The Civil War begins and Noah leaves home to fight. This devastates Tilly’s mother. Tilly and Delphine, go to find Noah and bring him back from the war. During this journey Tilly learns a lot about Delphine. They find Noah, nurse him back to health, send him back to war, then nurse him back to health again to finally bring him home. At the end of their long trip, Tilly and Delphine both find romance, friendship, and family.
Response-
This book begins with a grandson explaining a journey to see his father’s family fifty years after the main story takes place. Then after 15 pages the book shifts into the main story of Tilly and her family. At the end of the book there is a chapter from the grandson’s perspective that ends the book. I enjoyed that there was closure to this story. Most books end at a good point, or have an open ending, but this book tells the readers everything that they would like to know.
Another thing that I liked about this book is that it gave various perspectives to the Civil War. This book displays the stereotyping that many cultures had to deal with, the horrifying war lifestyles, the upset families at home, and the strength that many people had to help themselves and others. This book picked you up and put you right into that point in history. It referenced the clothing, cooking, heating, eating, and entertainment details. It really makes you understand everything that these people had to deal with.
Even though the details about Delphine and Calinda were uncovered, I would have liked to learn more about their situation. I never knew about their family and culture and I was interested to hear more about it.

[Jackie Bonath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m wondering/worried about how discussions are going to go with 5th graders as we read this

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the first years of the Civil War, people in the small Midwestern river town of Grand Tower, Illinois were conflicted about which side to support in the war. Some of the town’s young men rallied to support the Union cause to preserve the nation while others went south to join the rebel forces.

Families and neighbors fought against one another in America’s deadliest war. In the midst of this, Richard Peck begins a story of love and loyalty, compassion and selflessness, but also fear and desperation. The sudden arrival of two mysterious young women instigates a flurry of rumors and changes the lives of people in the town forever.

As the story comes to a conclusion, listeners will be astonished at how the echoes of one person’s actions can impact others and rebound across several generations.

Bracketed by an introduction and conclusion narrated by Daniel Passer, Lina Patel’s multifaceted narration adeptly shifts between characters, accents, and even languages adding understated inflections, tones, and nuances to complement the complex layers of the story.

The story features mature subjects including the cruel acts of discrimination, both subtle and overt racism (even among Northern abolitionists), and the horrors of war.

Especially when describing Tilly and Delphine’s experiences as they venture out to find Noah, Richard Peck does not hold back when describing the terrible conditions the young men describe encountering on the battlefield, while trying to return home, and in the field hospitals.

Recommended for grades 7-12.

interesting quotes (page numbers from paperback edition with ISBN13 9780142403105):

"I didn't know what to make of that great world she come from, but she made me want more in my small one." (p. 70)

"Think how many more there must be like them perched very quiet up on people's family trees. Safe now from being called ugly names." (p. 153)

[Christine Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: Junior High/High School

Format: Chapter Book

Awards: ALA Notable Books for Children (2004), ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004), National Book Award Honor for Young People's Literature (2003), Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2004)

A young man travels with his father in the early 1900s to meet his extended family. Once there, his grandmother, in the telling of their family history, relives her experience as a teenager when two mysterious strangers from the South become boarders in their home as the Civil War begins to root. Complicated by the events of the war, suspicion, and prejudice, an unexpected twist forms as family secrets are revealed.

This book would greatly compliment a Civil War unit as well as being useful in exploring themes such as race, diversity, self identification, multiculturalism, and tolerance. Given the bookend format of the time period and plot, acceptance and tolerance of racial diversity during two different time periods can be explored and questioned. I also appreciated that the story takes place in southern Illinois, giving a glimpse into our state history during the Civil War as well as our national history.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is a very different Civil War book. I chose it because it highlighted Southern Illinois and I thought it would be interesting to read about somewhere close to home. Then, it took an even more exciting turn! This book is told in two parts- the first and last part are told from a young boy's perspective in the year 1916 (fun fact: the year my great-aunt was born- we talked about it Sunday) and then one of his grandparents takes over as the majority of the book flashes back to the year 1861. Due to unexpected guests, Tilly, her mother, her sister, Cass and her twin brother, Noah's, lives are changed. These guests come from New Orleans and show them a very different way of life. This book shows very different perspectives in a war where neighbors fought neighbors and brothers fought brothers.

This would be a great book for any middle school student. I think it would work well in literature-circles because there is a big mystery whose answer is not revealed until the end and I think students would gain a lot from conversations together.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking book for young adults- it highlights the injustices and prejudices that shaped a family for multiple generations. Set in southern Illinois in 1861, two women disembark from a riverboat looking for shelter. Noah and Tilly, twins, board the women in their home and are mesmerized by the New Orleans travelers Delphine and Calinda. Delphine is a glamorous young woman, while Calinda is her black servant.

When Noah is sent to fight in the Civil War, Tilly and Delphine are sent to bring the young man back home, and the secret of Delphine & Calinda is revealed. Their secret is kept but at great sacrifice to them all. I was sad and even a bit angry at what all of them did to preserve their reputations and the lie they told to themselves and to the community in the years to come. It didn't seem as anyone lived an authentic life afterwards, and their happiness was sucked dry by their lies. There was a bit of hope in the end, when another generation of this family accepts their heritage and is proud of who their true family is.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that I had picked up another Richard Peck book, however I really enjoyed it.
Compare this book to "Across Five Aprils" , "Across the Lines" "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" along w/" And there I"ll be a Soldier", and several other books.
I could see and feel what Tilly was going through as the Country prepared for war. How her family was torn about being for the North or the South.
Then when Delphine arrived and how the Town revealed itself to the newcomers and the Pruitt family rallied to defend their new houseguests.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read historical fiction in a while and I really appreciated the brevity of this Civil War novel as well as the story within a story. When a young man goes to visit his grandparents in southern Illinois with his father on the eve of WWI he has no idea what he is about to learn. His family is hiding a wealth of secrets dating all the way back to the Civil War. When his grandmother recounts the summer that her life changed forever - both her grandson and the readers are captivated. Two young women exist a steamboat in a flurry of petticoats and finery and change the little Illinois town forever. No one knows if they are rebel sympathizers or society girls - but one thing is for certain - one of the young woman is black - is she a slave or freed? Because there are no suitable lodgings in town Tilly's mother opens up her house to them and life is never the same again. Interesting story that covers aspects of the war that many are probably unfamiliar with. Two fantastic narrators really make this a story worth listening to!

[Adinah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my first historical-fiction book in grade school, I think this is where my love for the genre began. Peck tells a story about a boy learning about his grandparents who grew up during the civil war in a small town near St Louis, MO. Worlds collide as the ideas of the Confederacy and the Union are laced into the plot of a young boy going to war, a twin sister coming of age, and another sister seeing the future, which turns out to be more of a curse than a blessing. We meet a character from New Orleans as her hot-headed French phrases are scattered throughout the book. Secrets are unraveled, and we are reminded that there’s always more to learn about who and where we came from.

[Kyrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remembered that I read this book in middle school, and I was really excited to read it again as an adult.

I think this is a great middle grade book that gives us just a glimpse of not only the civil war but some heart-wrenching things that happened with people of color.

I didn't give the story 5 stars only because I was left wanting more. I understand this is meant for a younger audience, but the reader I am now just wanted more build and time with these characters and this story.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twist is plaçage

[Pumkin pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wad good, suspenseful, sad and scary. All together, it's a great book! And plus, it's historical fiction!

[Debbie Koester · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The River Between Us" by Richard Peck. Set in Southern Illinois right before WWI, a father and 3 sons go to visit his family, and are drawn back into the family's struggles during the Civil War. A couple of good twists are thrown in, but the best part was reading about something in my own state!

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow in the beginning, but it picked up pace quite a lot towards the middle and end. Not my favorite by Richard Peck, but I did learn some new details about the Civil War.

This won the Scott O'Dell award in 2004.

[Madeleine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly don't know why schools would make you read this. I read this for History during a civil war unit. The book was supposed to be about the civil war but it hardly talked about it. The majority of the book is just talking about what they do. Taking like 50 pages to explain how they wake up eat, clean, and go shopping.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic and worth a listen.