An Island Far from Home

by John Donahue

The twelve-year-old son of a Union army doctor killed during the fighting in Fredericksburg comes to understand the meaning of war and the fine line between friends and enemies when he begins corresponding with a young Confederate prisoner of war.

Genres: Civil War, Historical Fiction

179 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

John Donahue lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Kellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joshua Loring desperately wants to join the Union Army to avenge his father’s death in the battle at Fredericksburg. Joshua however is only 12 and an only child. His uncle, Robert, is an officer for the Union. Robert commands Fort Warren on an island across from Boston. At Fort Warren Robert meets a 14-year-old soldier from Alabama who was captured by the Union at a battle in Tennessee. Grudgingly Joshua begins writing to John, the young prisoner.

After Lee surrenders at Appomatox, Joshua wants to see John before he is sent to Alabama. As a civilian, however, Joshua is not allowed on the island fort. With the aid of his friend, Hogan, Joshua sneaks onto the island but is arrested and imprisoned as a spy. Finally Joshua’s uncle returns to the fort and finds his nephew.

This is a well-written, unusual account of the end of the Civil War. The differences between the North and the South are explored through the interaction of Joshua and John. Both boys (and the reader) come to understand that they have much more in common than anyone would think.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good young historical fiction that provides a different perspective of the Civil War.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review from 2004

An Island Far From Home is one of my favorite books. I really like civil war things, so I like the way this was during that time. The ending is great! There are too many characters to pick a favorite. Hogan can get away with anything. He has a funny way of lying. Like when he tells Josh to write 18 on a piece of paper and put it on the bottom of his shoe so that way shen he says he's over 18 he's not really lying. I could read this book again and again.

[Leah Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book is historical fiction that takes place during the Civil War. It is about a boy in the North writing to a rebel prisoner at a fort near his house. It has a blend of genres in it as well, since the boys are writing letters back and forth to each other, but you do not here the whole story through letters. There is narration around the letters. I would use this book to give my students an idea of what life was like during the Civil War.

[Chase Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, mainly because of when it took place and the plot of the story. Some reason i really enjoyed this book is because i could really relate to some of the characters, like Joshua Loring because of how he does what he thinks is right even with the consequences they might bring. i would recommend this story to anyone who likes a little adventure, friendship and a little bit of history.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Younger kids might enjoy this book more than I did, but I found it too childish, and boring besides.
It is about a boy during the Civil War who begins writing letters to a boy his age - an enemy prisoner.
But nothing much ever happens, and the climax (if you can call it that) is disappointing. There are much better Civil War or children's books you can find to read.