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The Silent Witness: A True Story of the Civil War
Four-year-old Lula McLean lived on a plantation overlooking Bull Run Creek. There her family grew wheat, corn, and oats. In July 1861, troops fighting in the newly begun Civil War arrived on the McLeans’ front lawn in Manassas, Virginia. The peaceful countryside where Lula often spent time playing with her favorite rag doll became a campsite full of cannon and trenches and tents.
Wilmer McLean decided to relocate his family to a tiny village called Appomattox Court House, away from the war and the troops. But a few years later, on April 9, 1865, as Lula played with her rag doll, two visitors in tall boots made their way into her house. Lula and her doll were about to become part of American history.
Robin Friedman and Claire A. Nivola reveal, through the story of Lula and her beloved doll, the story of a nineteenth-century family who saw the Civil War unfold before their very eyes.
Wilmer McLean decided to relocate his family to a tiny village called Appomattox Court House, away from the war and the troops. But a few years later, on April 9, 1865, as Lula played with her rag doll, two visitors in tall boots made their way into her house. Lula and her doll were about to become part of American history.
Robin Friedman and Claire A. Nivola reveal, through the story of Lula and her beloved doll, the story of a nineteenth-century family who saw the Civil War unfold before their very eyes.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2005
5 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Robin Friedman
9 books12 followersGrowing up, Robin Friedman loved to write, but it was not until after she had worked as an editor in New York City and attended a year of law school that she finally decided to pursue a career as a children's book author. Beginning her writing career in 2000, Friedman is the author of How I Survived My Summer Vacation: And Lived to Write the Story and The Silent Witness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 12, 2022
A true Civil War story of the Mclean family who witnessed the beginning and end of the Civil war. We see through Lulu Maclean, an innocent little girl that lost her doll during the conflict. A union solider had stolen her doll along with many things in her house because her family was on the side of the Confederates. The illustrations are very beautiful and the story is touching.
October 7, 2018
It is difficult to give this book a low rating because the story of Wilmer McLean and his family is such a wonderful true tale to tell, with the Civil War "started in his kitchen and ended in his parlor." As a huge fan of local Northern Virginia history, it is a delight to share this remarkable story of the family on whose property the Battles of Bull Run were fought and who later moved 120 miles south to Appomattox seek quiet and safety, only to find their home commandeered as the location of the surrender of Lee to Grant. I was so happy to find that the story existed in picture form, told from the perspective of a rag doll of Wilmer's daughter Lula. But I cannot recommend this book.
I appreciated that the story did not shy away from mentioning slavery as the primary cause of the war. But across all the pages depicting the idyllic scene of the McLean family farm and orchard, there is no mention of the 14 enslaved people who were forced to tend the fields that grew the wheat, corn, and oats that the book credits Lula's family for growing. The book mentions that the South wanted to "preserve its way of life", but no hint that that way of life involved suffering, cruelty, exploitation, and heartbreak. The illustrations make the extensive plantation and orchards look simply lovely and peaceful. The enslaved people are literally disappeared from the scene.
I might excuse this omission if the story truly focused only on the perspective of 4 year old Lula and her doll. But it delves into the background of the Battle of Fort Sumpter, the blockade of Southern ports, the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Sherman's capture of Atlanta. Yet it completely fails to provide any perspective about the moral imperative of the war and the hope for freedom from bondage for enslaved people.
It could have been done in a picture book for the same audience. Instead of completely whitewashing enslaved people from the story, Lula's rag doll's perspective could have been coupled with the perspective of an enslaved child's corn husk doll, or something similar. The remarkable and notable coincidence of the destruction of the McLean's property could have been paired with the hopeful and promising truth that the fourteen people enslaved by the family at the beginning of the story were free at the end.
It is such a disappointment to not be able to wholeheartedly recommend this book. But the complete whitewashing of the true context of the McLean story and the erasure of the people they enslaved make it actually a dangerous story, one that appears nostalgic about a way of life that never truly existed on the McLean farm.
I can actually see using this book with students (perhaps at the middle or high school level) and pairing it with nonfiction text about the McLean family and their enslaved people, and then leading discussions about what was erased from the story and why, and what effect the erasure has on readers and their understanding of history. Without some fuller context, though, I would not recommend this book to children.
I appreciated that the story did not shy away from mentioning slavery as the primary cause of the war. But across all the pages depicting the idyllic scene of the McLean family farm and orchard, there is no mention of the 14 enslaved people who were forced to tend the fields that grew the wheat, corn, and oats that the book credits Lula's family for growing. The book mentions that the South wanted to "preserve its way of life", but no hint that that way of life involved suffering, cruelty, exploitation, and heartbreak. The illustrations make the extensive plantation and orchards look simply lovely and peaceful. The enslaved people are literally disappeared from the scene.
I might excuse this omission if the story truly focused only on the perspective of 4 year old Lula and her doll. But it delves into the background of the Battle of Fort Sumpter, the blockade of Southern ports, the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Sherman's capture of Atlanta. Yet it completely fails to provide any perspective about the moral imperative of the war and the hope for freedom from bondage for enslaved people.
It could have been done in a picture book for the same audience. Instead of completely whitewashing enslaved people from the story, Lula's rag doll's perspective could have been coupled with the perspective of an enslaved child's corn husk doll, or something similar. The remarkable and notable coincidence of the destruction of the McLean's property could have been paired with the hopeful and promising truth that the fourteen people enslaved by the family at the beginning of the story were free at the end.
It is such a disappointment to not be able to wholeheartedly recommend this book. But the complete whitewashing of the true context of the McLean story and the erasure of the people they enslaved make it actually a dangerous story, one that appears nostalgic about a way of life that never truly existed on the McLean farm.
I can actually see using this book with students (perhaps at the middle or high school level) and pairing it with nonfiction text about the McLean family and their enslaved people, and then leading discussions about what was erased from the story and why, and what effect the erasure has on readers and their understanding of history. Without some fuller context, though, I would not recommend this book to children.
October 1, 2015
War can affect us not only in the ways we typically expect--people going to war and getting injured or killed, land devastated and crops lost--but also in an unexpected way.
A girl and her doll. A rag doll her mother made. It's appalling what the Union men did--don't they have any sensitivity? Don't they have children of their own back home? And they thought what they were doing was funny. True story. Here is the photo of the real historical doll: http://www.nps.gov/apco/silent-witnes...
I lived in Tennessee for three years, and I know the Southerners still carry resentment to this day. I don't think it is wise of them to do so, but when I read stories like this, I only have to sigh--I don't have the heart to criticize them.
I was so moved by this doll's story that I had to incorporate it in one of my book. (Book 6 of I Remember You) I like the pictures in this book, too. A picture book that tolerates adults' reading. Thank you for creating this!
A girl and her doll. A rag doll her mother made. It's appalling what the Union men did--don't they have any sensitivity? Don't they have children of their own back home? And they thought what they were doing was funny. True story. Here is the photo of the real historical doll: http://www.nps.gov/apco/silent-witnes...
I lived in Tennessee for three years, and I know the Southerners still carry resentment to this day. I don't think it is wise of them to do so, but when I read stories like this, I only have to sigh--I don't have the heart to criticize them.
I was so moved by this doll's story that I had to incorporate it in one of my book. (Book 6 of I Remember You) I like the pictures in this book, too. A picture book that tolerates adults' reading. Thank you for creating this!
January 7, 2022
As far as picture book that tries to tackle the Civil War goes, I suppose it could be worse. I feel that there are some things that could have been improved upon in the book. One interesting choice of word in the Author's Note was when she states "And, unfortunately, the war found them in their new home when Lee surrendered to Grant in their parlor." (emphasis added by me). Why is this unfortunate? Because the war was won by the North? Because the northern soldiers took several items from the home? I don't know but it really could have been omitted as it's very easy to misread this as a southern sympathizer. Also, the omittance of any use of slaves on the plantation was really over simplifying it, even for a picture book. "They" did not grow wheat, corn, and oats. Unless the author meant for "they" to represent slaves, which she clearly did not. The slaves grew those items. Also, when saying she lived on the plantation with her mother, fathers, sisters, and brother why not include the number of slaves before saying "they grew wheat...."? At least then it would have been a more accurate depiction of plantation life.
I don't think you can read a picture book about the civil war and have it gloss over slavery in one tiny mention of "The South wanted to preserve its way of life." That's really, really glossing over things and an apologetic viewpoint. Why not go ahead and call it the "War Between the States" or "The Lost Cause." Perpetuating those phrases of southern civil war mythology in children's books isn't doing anyone any favors. I'm considering bringing this book home and letting it lead to a larger discussion over the Civil War and clarifying and expanding on slavery in the south, because I am from Alabama and as my son pushes further into elementary school these discussions need to happen in the home as well as the school if we are to undo any system racism with our children's generation. But if you're a parent or educator reading this book, do read it first before reading it with a child so you can have a game plan for filling in the gaps the book glosses over.
I don't think you can read a picture book about the civil war and have it gloss over slavery in one tiny mention of "The South wanted to preserve its way of life." That's really, really glossing over things and an apologetic viewpoint. Why not go ahead and call it the "War Between the States" or "The Lost Cause." Perpetuating those phrases of southern civil war mythology in children's books isn't doing anyone any favors. I'm considering bringing this book home and letting it lead to a larger discussion over the Civil War and clarifying and expanding on slavery in the south, because I am from Alabama and as my son pushes further into elementary school these discussions need to happen in the home as well as the school if we are to undo any system racism with our children's generation. But if you're a parent or educator reading this book, do read it first before reading it with a child so you can have a game plan for filling in the gaps the book glosses over.
August 20, 2011
A good addition to a Civil War unit.
November 9, 2024
This book tells the true story about the McLean family and how it can be said that the “Civil War started in McLean's backyard in 1861 and ended in his parlor in 1865” and the tiny silent witness to these unfolding events. The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book as we have been studying the Civil War.
August 2, 2013
Book 63 Bibliographic Citation:
Nivola, C. (2005). The silent witness: A true story of the Civil War. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Age/Grade Level: (Ages 5—8, Grades K—3)
Summary:
Lulu McLean holds an interesting place in American history as her family witnessed both the beginning and the end of the Civil War from vantage point of their homes in Manassas, Virginia, and Appomattox Court House. Her story of these childhood events includes a beloved doll who was present in the parlor where Generals Lee and Grant wrote and agreed upon their terms of surrender, becoming “the silent witness.”
Awards/Reviewing Sources:
Horn Book starred (Fall 2005)
Kirkus Reviews (May 1, 2005)
Library Media Connection (January 2006)
School Library Journal (March 1, 2011)
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/05
Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Five Owls 04/01/06
Curriculum Content/Standard for 21st Century Learner:
This book would be a fun read for a primary social studies class learning the basics of the Civil War as it includes the viewpoint of not only Lulu, but her doll, who was present at the signing of the terms of surrender. This book might also serve as an example of multiple points of view within a story, allowing students to compare and contrast these as a starting point towards understanding multiple perspectives as well as the Civil War as they, themselves, seek to understand and perhaps even judge history.
AASL Standards
2.3.3 Use valid information and reasoned conclusions to make ethical decisions.
Recommendation for student’s personal literature selection:
This book would be a fun read for students who enjoy early American history, beautiful illustrations, and an unusual biography of the childhood of Lulu McLean, who just happened to be in the right (or wrong?) places at the right time.
Genre:
Nonfiction/Biography
Nivola, C. (2005). The silent witness: A true story of the Civil War. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Age/Grade Level: (Ages 5—8, Grades K—3)
Summary:
Lulu McLean holds an interesting place in American history as her family witnessed both the beginning and the end of the Civil War from vantage point of their homes in Manassas, Virginia, and Appomattox Court House. Her story of these childhood events includes a beloved doll who was present in the parlor where Generals Lee and Grant wrote and agreed upon their terms of surrender, becoming “the silent witness.”
Awards/Reviewing Sources:
Horn Book starred (Fall 2005)
Kirkus Reviews (May 1, 2005)
Library Media Connection (January 2006)
School Library Journal (March 1, 2011)
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/05
Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Five Owls 04/01/06
Curriculum Content/Standard for 21st Century Learner:
This book would be a fun read for a primary social studies class learning the basics of the Civil War as it includes the viewpoint of not only Lulu, but her doll, who was present at the signing of the terms of surrender. This book might also serve as an example of multiple points of view within a story, allowing students to compare and contrast these as a starting point towards understanding multiple perspectives as well as the Civil War as they, themselves, seek to understand and perhaps even judge history.
AASL Standards
2.3.3 Use valid information and reasoned conclusions to make ethical decisions.
Recommendation for student’s personal literature selection:
This book would be a fun read for students who enjoy early American history, beautiful illustrations, and an unusual biography of the childhood of Lulu McLean, who just happened to be in the right (or wrong?) places at the right time.
Genre:
Nonfiction/Biography
April 18, 2017
Great true story of a family, the McLeans, who were present both at the beginning and the end of the Civil War. They were living in Manassas, Virginia, when the Confederate Army took over their house for their headquarters just before the battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the Civil War. Her family then moved to the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, where, at the end of the war, the McLean house was used as the meeting place for General Lee to formally surrender to General Grant. The "silent witness" of the title is Lula McLean's doll, which was left in the parlor when the generals arrived and which was taken as a souvenir by one of the Union soldiers. I felt bad for Lula and think that General Grant should have kept his men from taking things from the McLean's house, especially a child's doll. A note at the back of the book says that the doll is now on display in a museum in Appomattox Court House. I would have loved to see a picture of the actual doll. However, Claire Nivola's illustrations are wonderfully detailed, and I'm sure she drew the doll from photos. I highly recommend this very different Civil War story.
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September 4, 2010Interesting book that would be relevant to a fifth grade study of the civil war. Tells the story of the start of the civil war in the yard of a confederate family. This confederate family later moved about 150 miles away, and at the end of the civil war, the head of the confederate army surrendered to the Union in the home of this same confederate family. True story!! And the silent witness is a rag doll that sat on a couch and witnessed the surrender. Union soldiers played catch with this rag doll afterwards, and suprisingly, this same rag doll is in a museum in Virgina today. Very good story.
November 24, 2018
This book tells the story of the Civil War from the eyes of a young, innocent girl. It shares important and historical facts that inform the reader of the darkness of the Civil War. It gives these facts from the perspective of a child, making it simple and easier for young readers to grasp these hard truths. The author does a good job of informing the reader of the events that took place, but does it in a way that the readers can understand. This book is nonfiction literature and would be best suited for grades 2-5.
February 10, 2020
This story was a LOT of dates and place names. It read more like a history textbook. I had to fill in a lot of gaps for my 5-year-old, like who was fighting on which side, and who the "good guys" were. Very few terms were explained.
My daughter & I were also very disturbed by the soldiers stealing the doll in the end. What was the take-away of this book? That even good guys can be cruel & heartless? It doesn't matter who wins, because in war everyone looses? I was not ready to share these realities with my kindergartener yet.
My daughter & I were also very disturbed by the soldiers stealing the doll in the end. What was the take-away of this book? That even good guys can be cruel & heartless? It doesn't matter who wins, because in war everyone looses? I was not ready to share these realities with my kindergartener yet.
September 26, 2021
The idea of following a little girl and her doll was an interesting idea. It just also completely leaves out the harsh reality of the war. There is no mention of the enslaved people the McLean's owned and barely any mention of slavery at all. In fact, despite all the images of the family in the home, there's maybe two pages that show someone that's likely enslaved or a servant. There's plenty of dates about significant events during the Civil War, but if you're hoping to get a story about war through the eyes of a child this isn't the book for you.
December 17, 2009
Bright art really adds to this amazing true tale of a Southern family whose lives are affected in a unique way by the Civil War. Imagine the final surrender taking place in your own living room. The only witness was Lula's beloved little rag doll--and what a creep the officer was who stole the doll as a war trophy.
October 26, 2018
This historical fiction picture book is great for elementary age students. I really liked how there were specific facts, dates, and names that were brought in to the story. There is also a page in the book that answered a big question that comes up at the end of the story. I think this is great for students to help them memorize dates, people, and places.
April 4, 2010
An intriguing story about the signing of the surrender treaty at Appomattox Court House - which I always thought was a court house, but now know is the name of the town itself! The illustrations remind of some famous artist, but I can't remember who. Lovely.
December 5, 2016
A good brief history of the Civil War that is appropriate for younger children. The story revolves around a little girl and her doll which allows children a different view of the Civil War that they can relate to.
December 7, 2018
This is also a book about a historical event during the Civil war. This book would be a great book to use in a social studies lesson about the times of Civil War. You could also use this for students to write about how they would have felt to be in her position.
August 28, 2010
Read book to accompany a study of the civil war. True story that will grab children's attention.
March 26, 2012
Great non-fiction book about a family's experience in the US civil war. My kids thought it was terrible that a soldier took Lula's rag doll.
September 10, 2010
An interesting true story about a little girl and her doll who saw the beginning and end of the Civil War. Not too wordy; a great little history lesson!
June 23, 2011
Good intro to Civil War
February 17, 2012
Loved it! Great way to learn Civil War stuff quickly in 32 pages or less!
November 5, 2012
Would make a great read aloud to introduce the 900's.
Love the bright illustrations.
Love the bright illustrations.
November 11, 2015
Wonderful illustrations and just the perfect combination of child-relevant story, historical importance, and appropriate level of detail.
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June 5, 20228. Historical Fiction
The Silent Witness, by Robin Friedman, is an example of historical fiction. The story begins in the spot where the Civil War started in Virginia. A young girl, and her family had the war start on their plantation. The book goes through the beginning stages of the war. In a effort to keep the family safe, the father relocates them to the farm surrounding the Appotamax Court House. He feels that this is far from the dangers of the battle. Ironically, the war followed them, and the family witnessed the end of the war as well. Lula’s rag doll became the silent witness to the Civil War.
The book is written for children who are old enough to study the Civil War, and can deal with such themes as loss, death, and war. Young Adults could easily appreciate and relate to the events of this book. They would understand the symbolism of the doll, and how pervasive the war was to the lives of the people involved. In addition to the narrative, the art work by Claire Navola is very impactful. The bright use of color for happy events, as opposed to grey and dismal tones of the unpleasant ones, helps to reinforce the themes of the book.
The Silent Witness, by Robin Friedman, is an example of historical fiction. The story begins in the spot where the Civil War started in Virginia. A young girl, and her family had the war start on their plantation. The book goes through the beginning stages of the war. In a effort to keep the family safe, the father relocates them to the farm surrounding the Appotamax Court House. He feels that this is far from the dangers of the battle. Ironically, the war followed them, and the family witnessed the end of the war as well. Lula’s rag doll became the silent witness to the Civil War.
The book is written for children who are old enough to study the Civil War, and can deal with such themes as loss, death, and war. Young Adults could easily appreciate and relate to the events of this book. They would understand the symbolism of the doll, and how pervasive the war was to the lives of the people involved. In addition to the narrative, the art work by Claire Navola is very impactful. The bright use of color for happy events, as opposed to grey and dismal tones of the unpleasant ones, helps to reinforce the themes of the book.
July 30, 2022
Oh, come on! Why won't this war leave this family alone! It's fascinating though. To think that one family has connections to both ends of the worst war ever fought on American soil. It's absolutely bizarre. This book does a great job of relaying the strange coincidence. I have questions about the family, suspicions that they were Confederate supporters since I'm fairly certain that there were slaves in the illustrations working the fields of their Manassas plantation and working as servants once they were in Appomattox. It also seems as though they didn't participate, as that didn't come up in the text. You'd think that would have garnered a mention. Still, fascinating book.
February 12, 2024
While this one is going to be a better fit for reading to children, I did not like it nearly as much as the book with the same title that I posted about a few days ago. This one is an actual hard-bound children's book with color photos but contains far less history and information compared to the one that they sell at the gift shop at Appomattox Court House. This one does give the basic story of Lulu McClean's doll and her role in Lee's surrender with nice illustrations so it is worthwhile to share with kids but if you want more meat, then read the one I posted about previously. (The Story of the Silent Witness by Emilee D. Mason.)
April 19, 2025
I have been looking for this book off and on for almost 2 years. Seems like I was always a little late and missed getting it. Finally got it and read it. Looking forward to sharing it with my grandchildren. I thought it was well written and in such a way that younger children can enjoy it.
January 20, 2021
Beautifully illustrated.
March 26, 2023
Civil war era picture book based on true story. The question remains…why take a child’s possession as a war souvenir? How depraved and uncaring does one have to be???
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews