The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale

Tales of Young Americans

by Trinka Hakes Noble, Robert Papp (Illustrator)

In July 1863 the bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought outside the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. In The Last Brother the story of one small boy is told amidst the dramatic events of those early days of July. Though he is only 11 years old, Gabe is a bugler in the Union Army. He takes his responsibility very seriously; after all, there are over 60 different battle calls for buglers to learn. But what is even more important to Gabe is watching over his older brother Davy who, as a foot soldier, is right in the thick of the fighting. Two of Gabe's older brothers have already perished, and he is not willing to lose the only one he has left. During those long days, Gabe meets another young bugler -- one who fights for the other side. Suddenly, what was so definite and clear has become complicated by friendship and compassion. Does one have to choose between service to country, to kin or to a friend? As the cannons fire and the battle rages on, Gabe must do his duty while searching for a way to honor all that he holds dear.Trinka Hakes Noble is the noted author of numerous award-winning picture books, including The Scarlet Stockings Spy, the ever-popular Jimmy's Boa series and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch (both featured on "Reading Rainbow"). Her many awards include ALA Notable Children's Book, Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, IRA-CBC Children's Choice, Learning: The Year's Ten Best, and several Junior Literary Guild Selections. Trinka makes her home in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Robert Papp's award-winning artwork includes hundreds of illustrations for major publishers across the United States, and his first children's book, The Scarlet Stockings Spy was named an IRATeacher's Choice in 2005. Robert lives in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Civil War, Childrens, War, American Civil War, American

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2006

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the same author who wrote The Scarlet Stockings Spy, a book I enjoyed. This book had a very similar feel but I wasn't as impressed. A few things didn't make very much sense; including the title which is quite misleading. It should have been titled The Youngest Brother.

Great illustrations!

Ages: 5 - 12

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[Nick Westurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anything, read this book for the art since it is incredibly detailed. Beyond that, i think this book offers a great perspective on a bad time in American history. Most books about the civil war seem very "Top down" or make the conflict a "Good side and bad side" when in reality, there were real people fighting on both sides. My only complaint about this book is that it's title does not match the book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, age-appropriate, and thoughtful handling of the complicated nature of the American Civil War, involving a fictional bugle boy at the Battle of Gettysburg. We’d planned to read it over two or three days, but my boys wanted to finish it in one sitting.

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trinka Hakes Noble has relayed a Hakes family story about the Battle of Gettysburg. After his two oldest brothers are killed in the Civil War, Gabriel signs up as a Union bugler, lying about his age. His brother Davy is in the same regiment. During a quiet moment before the battle, Gabe fishes with Orlee, a Confederate bugler his own age. During the bloody Pickett's Charge, Gabe is able to trick the Rebel army into briefly holding their fire, perhaps saving his brother's life.

The illustrations by Robert Papp are nearly photographic in their realism, wonderfully capturing the dust and confusion of the movement of the armies. This poignant tale should be paired with the equally moving "Pink and Say" by Patricia Polacco.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

11 year old Gabe enlists in the Union Army in Pennsylvania as a bugler. He tries to protect his older brother, Davy, especially since two other brothers enlisted awhile ago and never returned.
This lovingly-told and beautifully-illustrated book was based on the author's own family history at the Battle of Gettysburg. Readers will see, through Gabe's eyes, that issues of war can be complicated, often having to choose between service to country, to kin, or even to a new friend.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Moving and beautifully illustrated story about Gettysburg, inspired by the experiences of the author's own ancestors. I choked up at the end while trying to read it to my boys. They then asked for an explanation, which precipitated more of a discussion. Heaven forbid our anger and disagreements as a nation ever lead to such divisive loss ever again!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that a brief historical note afterwards would have been appropriate. The prefatory note is personal and contains no real specifics.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love the Tales of Young Americans Series. This was an excellent book that mostly took place at the Battle of Gettysburg. Though it won't have you coming away from the book with a great knowledge of the battle itself, the war and its causes, it does do an excellent job of illustrating the human side of war, especially the Civil War. A very young Union bugler happens to meet and befriend a bugler from the opposing side. In any other circumstance, they'd be fishing buddies. Though they do get a little time to enjoy each other's company and simply be little boys for a while, it isn't long before each has to go their separate ways and participate in a key battle of the war. We also learn about how many families were affected, sending multiple sons off to fight and often never seeing them again. As with all of the books in the series, the illustrations are top notch. I read this to my 8-year-olds and it was very age-appropriate.

[Jordin Oostenryk]

This story takes place in the middle of the Civil War. This war is an internal war in the American History and it splits the country in half. Gabe is around 11 years old when he becomes a bugler in the Union Army. His brother, that is 17, is a foot soldier in the Union Army and he has experience with losing his brothers to war. This makes him very protective over his brother. Gabe meets another bugler in the war that is his age and they become friends. However, Gabe finds out that his new friend is with the enemy and he doesn't know what to do.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the ATY 2019 Reading Challenge Week 39: Sense of Place

Gabe is eleven and a bugler for the Union Army, in this historical-fiction picture book about the civil war. Gabe is about to go into his first battle: the battle of Gettysburg. The sense of place is conveyed by the artist's painting of the small farming community of Gettysburg, PA before, during, and after the battle. It is a well-told story enhanced by the excellent paintings of Tom Papp.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching tale about a friendship between two buglers on opposite sides, tells the story of the battle of Gettysburg. The beautiful pictures by award winning illustrator Robert Papp are absolutely breathtaking. This tale of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War is ideal to share with school age children on Memorial Day.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another January book I chose for the mini book club with my sister and niece to accompany "The Scarlet Stockings Spy" as it has the same author and same illustrator. The story is good, but I especially liked the illustrations in this book.

[Grace DeBaltzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long for a picture book. Difficult for a read aloud but a very interesting story.

[Nicholas & Megan Clinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read while learning the Gettysburg Address & in summer.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i did realize this was such a huge series ... i have read 2 books from that series now. very cool. amazing great illustrations. very enjoyable reads.

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully told story...did not hide the ugly side of a war that tore our country apart.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The struggles of a boy going to war, after losing his brothers. He meets another bugler from the 'other side'. Brave story.

[Liz E · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you aren’t pausing to play the bugle calls along with this story, you’re missing out.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Civil War historical fiction in picture book format is a beautiful but sad story of that terrible time in our nation’s history. Well done. Illustrations are wonderful.

[Becca Kostick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale is just as it sounds, a history book folded down into a children's picture book. Gabe, an eleven-year-old boy, is a bugler in the Union Army. While he is doing his responsibilities of being a bugler, he takes this very seriously, for there are over 60 different battle calls that he will need to learn! Although Gabe knows that his responsibility of being a bugler is very important, it is even more important for him to watch over his older brother, Davy, who is right in the thick of the fighting. Davy is Gabe's last brother, as they had lost their other brothers in earlier battles, so he will do whatever it takes to protect him. Suddenly, Gabe meets Orlee who is a young Confederate bugler, which complicates everything that was once definite and clear due to a new friendship and compassion. What happens next, you may ask? You'll have to read to find out because it's better to keep the ending a secret.

This book is on my favorites shelf because of how the author has written this book. Although it is a historical fiction story, it is almost as if any student can be put in the spot of Gabe and can be used as the main character in this story. This story would be great in both primary and intermediate grades, but I can definitely see this story getting a lot of use in the primary grades. Although there is not much being taught about this topic in social studies for these primary grades, students can definitely adapt this story and make it into a play where they are learning about topics such as the Civil War, friendship and suspense into the classroom and definitely look forward to the intermediate grades when they will be learning more and more about these topics!

[Cassia Catterall]

Brief Review: This was a historical fiction children's book that talked about the Civil War and specifically Gettysburg. The book leaned strongly on pathos entering emotion into many pages, especially when Gabe is talking to the war horse about both of his brother's deaths in the war. The illustrations are beautiful in the book. They look like they were taken on a camera and then put on the page.

Content Areas: This book could be used to teach children geography. It talks about different geographical points in Gettysburg such as Little Big Round Top hill, Seminary ridge, and Cemetery ridge. The book could also be used in history to discuss a specific point in the Civil War. It clearly shows the massive loss off soldiers and how hard it was for both sides.

Comprehensive Questions:
Why was Gabe's friend named Orlee?
A. His dad wanted to name him a fancy name but his mom would always say, "Or Lee" because she was set on Lee being his name. This happened so many times that they called him Orlee.
Where was Gettysburg located?
Gettysburg was seven miles from the Mason-Dixon line in Pennsylvania.

Wonders:
What is hardtack and fatback?
What does playing taps on the bugle mean?
Did Gabe and Davey make it home at the end of the war?

[Gabriella Reeves · Rating 1 out of 5]

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. IT was just a history book.

[Boatemaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel, an eleven year old boy, joins the Union army during the Civil War after his two brothers were killed in war. Gabe is now trying to protect his last brother Davy. Unlike his brother, Gabe is too young to join as a soldier. Instead, he becomes a bugler. Soon they enter the Battle of Gettysburg. After entering the woods, Gabe meets another bugler named Orlee. The only problem is Orlee is a bugler for the Confederacy. Still, they quickly become friends. When Gabe is needed for the war, he is given the direction to bugle "Attack". Gabe doesn't want his brother to get hurt though. Gabe does as his commander says, then mimicks Orlee's and bugles "Retreat" to the Confederates, ending the Battle of Gettysburg. He returns to camp and scratches a few words about his brothers. I think the book was very touching and it was very good.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tenderly-told tale about the realities of war and how truly young some of the soldiers were during the Civil War. The story explains how Gabe, an eleven-year-old boy joins the Army as a bugler to stay with his older brother Davy, after two more of his older brothers don't return from the war.

The narrative is terrific and explains the devastating effects of war on the land and on families, but I think it humanizes the war and really brings it home to children of Gabe's age.

The illustrations are marvelous and really help to tell the story. We really enjoyed reading this book together and I'm glad that our girls were able to see how children as young as they are now were drawn into the terrible war.

[KevinL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about eleven year old Gabriel who has followed his 16-year-old brother Davy to war after their older brothers were killed fighting. As a bugler for the Union Army, Gabe has the important job of blowing orders to the troops.When Gabe meets Orlee fishing at the creek he encounters a dilemma. Orlee is the bugler for the confederate army. Gabe is torn between saving his brother from the enemy bullet and respecting his knew friend who he intends to see again. This story has full color illustrations which take the readers straight into the war. I would recommend this book for 2-4th graders. It is full of opportunities to give mini lessons about the civil war. This was a great book that I highly recommend.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a junior reader book...perhaps grades four and five although the typeset screams second or third...I picked it up for my homeschooled child...it was a sweet story about a very real time...what stuck me most though was the illustrations by Robert Papp...the were beautiful and made the book just that much more real

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the Civil War, the main character is a boy of 11 years old. He is a bugler from Pennsylvania in the Union Army. His first battle is Gettysburg. Before the fighting, he meets another bugler, same age, for the Confederates. This is a touching story without dealing with loss of life.

[Elijah Clavery · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book the Last Brother is the tale of one of the most bloodiest wars ever the Civil War. The book follows the story of a boy who talks about the times in the Civil War starting with Gettysburg. It talks about how a lot of people died

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a 5 if the story was true. It is fictionalized but still has a lot of good information. Boys as young as 11 fought in the civil war. This book is about the boys that were buglers on the North an South Side. The bugle rhymes and tones signaled commands. Still a nice story!

[Phil Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing art and a wonderful story. I like the feelgood ending.