The Tamarack Tree

by Patricia Clapp

An eighteen-year-old English girl finds her loyalties divided and all her resources tested as she and her friends experience the terrible physical and emotional hardships of the forty-seven day siege of Vicksburg in the spring of 1863.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Civil War, Historical, Childrens, American Civil War, Middle Grade

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Patricia Clapp was born in Boston and attended the Columbia University School of Journalism. Her first novel, Constance: A Story of Early Plymouth, was a runner-up for the 1969 National Book Award for Children's Literature. Her other books include, I'm Deborah Sampson, King of the Dollhouse, Dr. Elizabeth, and Jane-Emily. She also authored many plays for children.

Reviews

[Sarah]

I don't remember why I loved this book so much, but when I was in fifth grade I spoke of this book in hushed and reverent tones. It’s an adventure/love story set in the civil war, and it rocked my preteen world.

[Meghan Mcsweeney]

My favorite book in middle school:-)

[Kellyn Roth]

That was an okay story, but it wasn't amazing. A little convenient, especially towards the end where everything got wrapped up into a nice, neat bow. I loved the characters and setting.

[Karrie]

One of my favorite YA reads of all time. I just finished reading it again for the umpteenth time as my relaxation reward after school finished. A quick read and highly recommended.

[Lisa Gibson]

I read this book when I was in middle school and it remains one of my favorite

[Janet Ashley]

Its hard for me to rate and review a young adult book from my middle aged perspective, but if I were reading this at age 13 I know I would have been captivated. Sure, everything wraps up nicely with a nice bow at the end but the story also does not shy away from some real trajedies that happen to the city and secondary characters. I appreciate the perspective of the story coming from an outsider (a transplanted english woman) so you can feel for her "head being for the north but heart tied to the southerners" who befriend her.

[Audrey Lawson]

A civil war book that tries to include too many topics. The result is a book that has no depth and isn't really about anything. Very disappointing.

[Jessica]

Loved this one as a kid and I loved reading it with Emma.

[Mandy]

My favorite book from middle school!

[Charlene]

Quickly read. Grade school reading Lovers of romance might like it or some one who knows nothing of the south and civil war also might find it of interest

[Gena Swenson]

One I still hold dear from my middle school days, nearly 30 years later.

[Rebecca]

Read this as a teenager

[Katie McLane]

My favorite book!

[Shilpa Rap]

I acted like this book was the best thing since sliced bread in middle school, and I finally found it!

[Olive Blank]

loved this book as a preteen jajajaja

[Janel]

I enjoyed reading this aloud to the kids for our mini study of the Mississippi River. I loved the historical context of citizens stuck in Vicksburg and how they survived while the Union army descended upon the city.

[Fay Risner]

If Civil War stories interest you, this one is good insight into the seize at Vicksburg from a first person viewpoint of the main character. Rosemary, an English sixteen year old, comes to America to live with her brother and winds up enduring the hardships faced by the south during the war. Rosemary struggles with allegiances during the war. She enjoys the companionship of the southern friends she made, but feels slavery is wrong. She leans toward the northern viewpoint and worries about one young Union soldier, but hates seeing everyone around her struggle with trying to stay alive on very little food while the Union soldiers surround the town, cutting it off from supplies.

[Chrisanne]

I didn't remember much but, as soon as I flipped through the copy, it came back. I'll leave the stars because it's incredibly informative about Vicksburg and the outsider view is a nice take. But I didn't particularly want to know anything more about any of the characters. They seemed rather flat against the tragic backdrop of the Civil War.

[Rachel]

I love this book. It says it is geared towards 10-14 year olds. It is a really easy read--so quick and short. I love the perspective it gives on the Civil War (and war of any kind) as it is written from the viewpoint of a British girl in the South who is against slavery. Plus there is a love interest--which is always cute to follow when it's from a sweet teenage girl's perspective.

[Alicia]

I purchased this book at a Civil War battlefield bookshop in my teens and have read, reread, and lent it to my friends. A lovely, readable novel exploring the siege of Vicksburg from the unusual viewpoint of an English young lady with Southern friends and Northern views.

[Ruth McDonald]

Written for upper elementary to middle school readers, this is a well-balanced presentation of the U.S. Civil War. Its exciting plot will keep young readers engaged while educating them about history and the complex issues surrounding war.

[Kari]

I love this book! Sweet guys, funny moments, good history lesson. Good deal in a day when a lot of books are no good.

[Veleda]

This book was absolutely amazing and I loved it.

[Julie]

civil war, battle of vicksburg

[Lori Long]

Sad true story. It makes you appreciate your life.

[Chris]

EXCELLENT book! Very well written, characters are well-developed, and the story is plausible. I highly recommend this book for everyone 11+.

[Elizabeth]

This was a really quick read for me. I enjoyed the story, but it was hard to follow the storyline. This got me interested in the siege of Vicksburg, though.

[Angie Bollard]

I read this book when I was in my Civil War phase. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Jessica]

This book is so good

[Courtney Kuehn]

read in 9th grade American History