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My Vicksburg
Claire Louise Corbett and her Confederate family flee their home as Union soldiers shell their town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. They venture out from the safety of a cave only three times a day, when the Union army takes their meals at eight in the morning, noon, and eight at night. Although many of the townspeople suffer from a lack of food, the Corbetts receive extra rations from Claire Louise's brother, Landon, a doctor with the Union army. When Claire Louise discovers her brother tending to a Confederate soldier who is responsible for Robert E. Lee's "lost order" (causing the South to lose the Battle of Antietam), she is forced to make a difficult choice between family and friends.
Award-winning historical novelist Ann Rinaldi paints a story of family, courage, and secrets during the forty-seven-day siege of Vicksburg, a battle that has sometimes been ignored in history because it ended the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg.
Award-winning historical novelist Ann Rinaldi paints a story of family, courage, and secrets during the forty-seven-day siege of Vicksburg, a battle that has sometimes been ignored in history because it ended the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
69 books986 followersAnn Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was listed as one the best novels of the preceding twenty-five years, and later of the last one hundred years. She is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, a series of historical fiction novels set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 27, 2009
Thirteen-year-old Claire Louise Corbet, living in Vicksburg, Mississippi in the spring of 1863, struggles with the many changes the Civil War has brought to her family and her life. Her beloved older brother Landon, has joined the Union Army as a doctor, leaving the Corbet family with divided loyalties - they still love him, but support the Confederate cause. Her father, also a doctor, has joined the Confederate Army. And when Vicksburg comes under siege by the Union Army, Claire Louise, her little brother James, their mother, and their household servants must leave their comfortable house to live in a cave.
Soon after, Claire Louise finds her loyalties further divided. Her brother, whom she hasn’t seen in many months, has returned to Vicksburg to care for wounded soldiers. He brings with him Robert, a wounded Confederate soldier. Landon confides in Claire Louise that Robert is a Confederate officer that was responsible for an order from General Lee that fell into Union hands, leading to a terrible Confederate defeat. Though Robert insists the order was lost accidentally, Landon feels compelled to turn him in. Now Claire Louise is forced to choose between her brother and helping Robert, which she feels is right in her heart.
I have loved most of the books I read by Ann Rinaldi, so I really wanted to like this one as well. But in the end, I thought it was just okay, and nothing more. For starters, it was really at least a bit too short, and was missing a lot of backstory and explanation - why did Landon join the Union Army? Why was he so readily accepted back in Vicksburg after betraying his Confederate neighbors to help the enemy? The character of Claire Louise herself was inconsistent at times as well, sometimes acting very immature for her age and other times making adult decisions. My Vicksburg isn’t a terrible book - it’s a quick, pleasant enough read. Readers who already love Ann Rinaldi’s books will likely find it an enjoyable enough way to spend a couple of hours. But for those readers looking for a really good novel about the Civil War, or who are new to this author’s books, there are much better books out there, including several others about the Civil War by Ann Rinaldi herself that I thought were much better than this book.
Soon after, Claire Louise finds her loyalties further divided. Her brother, whom she hasn’t seen in many months, has returned to Vicksburg to care for wounded soldiers. He brings with him Robert, a wounded Confederate soldier. Landon confides in Claire Louise that Robert is a Confederate officer that was responsible for an order from General Lee that fell into Union hands, leading to a terrible Confederate defeat. Though Robert insists the order was lost accidentally, Landon feels compelled to turn him in. Now Claire Louise is forced to choose between her brother and helping Robert, which she feels is right in her heart.
I have loved most of the books I read by Ann Rinaldi, so I really wanted to like this one as well. But in the end, I thought it was just okay, and nothing more. For starters, it was really at least a bit too short, and was missing a lot of backstory and explanation - why did Landon join the Union Army? Why was he so readily accepted back in Vicksburg after betraying his Confederate neighbors to help the enemy? The character of Claire Louise herself was inconsistent at times as well, sometimes acting very immature for her age and other times making adult decisions. My Vicksburg isn’t a terrible book - it’s a quick, pleasant enough read. Readers who already love Ann Rinaldi’s books will likely find it an enjoyable enough way to spend a couple of hours. But for those readers looking for a really good novel about the Civil War, or who are new to this author’s books, there are much better books out there, including several others about the Civil War by Ann Rinaldi herself that I thought were much better than this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2009
An interesting story, very badly told. I've only read a little of Rinaldi's other writing, but this one was very disappointing. The characters move around the country with blinding speed. In one case, a character travels from the east coast to Vicksburg, Mississippi in ONE DAY, and only four days after undergoing major surgery. That's hard to do now, but in 1863, by railroad? This character is not unique, and throughout the book the author writes as if there is no distance between Vicksburg and Virginia. People are horribly ill in one scene, and fully recovered in the next, apparently due to the use of quinine. [It's the only drug mentioned by name, and appears in every medical scene.:]
In addition, characters wander through the siege lines of the story, willy-nilly, in broad daylight and in uniform. The most ghastly of these scenes involves Union soldiers carrying A LIVE EAGLE through the siege lines so that it can be treated by a Union army doctor, who is inside Vicksburg working at a Confederate hospital at the time. Didn't an editor even LOOK at this manuscript?
The funny part is that the plot is actually interesting, which is the real reason that the bad parts are so annoying. Kids and teens who read this book will think that the historical parts are true, and they're painfully wrong. And don't get me started on the cute, fluffy version of slavery in the book...
The author's afterword indicated that she wanted to tell a story about what she considered a "forgotten" piece of history. I wish she had done a better job.
In addition, characters wander through the siege lines of the story, willy-nilly, in broad daylight and in uniform. The most ghastly of these scenes involves Union soldiers carrying A LIVE EAGLE through the siege lines so that it can be treated by a Union army doctor, who is inside Vicksburg working at a Confederate hospital at the time. Didn't an editor even LOOK at this manuscript?
The funny part is that the plot is actually interesting, which is the real reason that the bad parts are so annoying. Kids and teens who read this book will think that the historical parts are true, and they're painfully wrong. And don't get me started on the cute, fluffy version of slavery in the book...
The author's afterword indicated that she wanted to tell a story about what she considered a "forgotten" piece of history. I wish she had done a better job.
April 10, 2012
REQUIRED AUTHOR FOR PRESENTATION
I did not like this book. It told the story of a Claire and her family during the siege of Vicksburg in the Civil War. Claire's family is dealing with some issues surrounding what side they are one since her brother is a doctor for the north and her dad is a doctor for the south. Claire is faced with many an ethical dilemma for a young teen, as she must decided wether to help a Rebel solider get away or not. Overall, many of the dilemmas she faced seemed unrealistic and contrived. I also was not a fan of the characters. I felt like there was little to no development and that the story was unorganized and dull. Not a book I would recommend.
I did not like this book. It told the story of a Claire and her family during the siege of Vicksburg in the Civil War. Claire's family is dealing with some issues surrounding what side they are one since her brother is a doctor for the north and her dad is a doctor for the south. Claire is faced with many an ethical dilemma for a young teen, as she must decided wether to help a Rebel solider get away or not. Overall, many of the dilemmas she faced seemed unrealistic and contrived. I also was not a fan of the characters. I felt like there was little to no development and that the story was unorganized and dull. Not a book I would recommend.
October 3, 2009
Not my favorite Ann Rinaldi. I had problems caring about the characters.
November 24, 2024
Having just finished another Ann Rinaldi novel, My Vicksburg, I find myself reflecting on some disturbing patterns that mark her work. Rinaldi’s books are nothing if not uneven. At their best, they provide interesting, historically rich narratives with strong female protagonists; at their worst, they lean into a troubling subversiveness that seems to delight in portraying rebellion marked by deception and manipulation as a moral good.
In My Vicksburg, Rinaldi focuses on a little-known but true fact: during the Union siege of Vicksburg, residents of the town moved into caves to live away from the mortar blasts. The story revolves around Claire Louise, a teenage girl living in one such cave with her mother, younger brother, and one of the family’s slaves. Claire Louise’s father is a Confederate doctor, her 26-year-old brother, Landon, is a Union doctor, and the family’s other slaves remain at the family home, guarding it from looters despite the danger of cannon blasts.
Compared to other Rinaldi works I’ve read, the “scandal” in this book is significantly toned down. Claire Louise’s acts of rebellion are relatively restrained, yet they still hinge on dishonesty and betrayal to move the plot forward. For instance, when Landon reunites with his family, he brings along a Confederate soldier and patient named Robert, who has become his friend. Landon is principled and deeply conflicted because Robert is responsible for Robert E. Lee’s “lost order,” which contributed to the South’s loss at the Battle of Antietam. Landon knows he must report Robert despite their bond, a decision he struggles to make.
Claire Louise (13), however, becomes infatuated with Robert (26) and goes to great lengths—including lying, sneaking around, stealing, and betraying her brother—to help him escape. Her justification is that she’s sparing her brother the anguish of making a choice he couldn’t live with. Yet, her actions raise significant moral questions. The plot subtly frames her deceit and betrayal as self-sacrificial, even noble, glossing over the unsettling implications of a romance between a teenage girl and a dishonorable adult soldier.
This reflects a larger trend in Rinaldi’s writing: her female characters consistently find themselves in opposition to male authority figures—often middle-aged men—and are forced to resort to morally dubious methods to assert their agency. This pattern is no coincidence. In the author’s note, Rinaldi reveals a fraught and emotionally distant relationship with her father, suggesting this dynamic influenced her storytelling. While this personal context is compelling and provides a lens through which to view her work, it also highlights a troubling aspect of her narratives. Rinaldi doesn’t merely present flawed characters; she elevates their deceit and rebellion as necessary—sometimes even noble—means of empowerment.
What’s most unsettling is how often her characters’ defiance is entwined with manipulation, often portrayed as the only viable path to power for women. This betrayal of her professed feminism feels particularly glaring: instead of showing her heroines as capable of achieving power through strength, intellect, or collaboration, she repeatedly depicts them resorting to unscrupulous tactics. While My Vicksburg avoids the sexual undertones present in some of her other works, the troubling moral message remains.
I don’t object to flawed characters or morally complex narratives. But I do object to an author who seems intent on teaching young readers—particularly girls—that the only way to challenge oppression or assert themselves is through deception and betrayal. It’s a reductive and disheartening message, especially given the richness of the historical settings and the potential for more nuanced portrayals of female empowerment.
While My Vicksburg offers intriguing historical insights, such as the cave dwellings of Vicksburg’s residents, its moral undertones leave much to be desired. Claire Louise’s rebellious actions and her unsettling relationship with Robert subtly reinforce the idea that good ends justify immoral means. Readers should approach this book with caution, particularly when recommending it to young audiences.
In My Vicksburg, Rinaldi focuses on a little-known but true fact: during the Union siege of Vicksburg, residents of the town moved into caves to live away from the mortar blasts. The story revolves around Claire Louise, a teenage girl living in one such cave with her mother, younger brother, and one of the family’s slaves. Claire Louise’s father is a Confederate doctor, her 26-year-old brother, Landon, is a Union doctor, and the family’s other slaves remain at the family home, guarding it from looters despite the danger of cannon blasts.
Compared to other Rinaldi works I’ve read, the “scandal” in this book is significantly toned down. Claire Louise’s acts of rebellion are relatively restrained, yet they still hinge on dishonesty and betrayal to move the plot forward. For instance, when Landon reunites with his family, he brings along a Confederate soldier and patient named Robert, who has become his friend. Landon is principled and deeply conflicted because Robert is responsible for Robert E. Lee’s “lost order,” which contributed to the South’s loss at the Battle of Antietam. Landon knows he must report Robert despite their bond, a decision he struggles to make.
Claire Louise (13), however, becomes infatuated with Robert (26) and goes to great lengths—including lying, sneaking around, stealing, and betraying her brother—to help him escape. Her justification is that she’s sparing her brother the anguish of making a choice he couldn’t live with. Yet, her actions raise significant moral questions. The plot subtly frames her deceit and betrayal as self-sacrificial, even noble, glossing over the unsettling implications of a romance between a teenage girl and a dishonorable adult soldier.
This reflects a larger trend in Rinaldi’s writing: her female characters consistently find themselves in opposition to male authority figures—often middle-aged men—and are forced to resort to morally dubious methods to assert their agency. This pattern is no coincidence. In the author’s note, Rinaldi reveals a fraught and emotionally distant relationship with her father, suggesting this dynamic influenced her storytelling. While this personal context is compelling and provides a lens through which to view her work, it also highlights a troubling aspect of her narratives. Rinaldi doesn’t merely present flawed characters; she elevates their deceit and rebellion as necessary—sometimes even noble—means of empowerment.
What’s most unsettling is how often her characters’ defiance is entwined with manipulation, often portrayed as the only viable path to power for women. This betrayal of her professed feminism feels particularly glaring: instead of showing her heroines as capable of achieving power through strength, intellect, or collaboration, she repeatedly depicts them resorting to unscrupulous tactics. While My Vicksburg avoids the sexual undertones present in some of her other works, the troubling moral message remains.
I don’t object to flawed characters or morally complex narratives. But I do object to an author who seems intent on teaching young readers—particularly girls—that the only way to challenge oppression or assert themselves is through deception and betrayal. It’s a reductive and disheartening message, especially given the richness of the historical settings and the potential for more nuanced portrayals of female empowerment.
While My Vicksburg offers intriguing historical insights, such as the cave dwellings of Vicksburg’s residents, its moral undertones leave much to be desired. Claire Louise’s rebellious actions and her unsettling relationship with Robert subtly reinforce the idea that good ends justify immoral means. Readers should approach this book with caution, particularly when recommending it to young audiences.
April 6, 2013
I read My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi. The book is written from the perspective of Claire Louise she is a 13 year old girl. Her family has just moved into a cave because of the civil war. They are southerners and are supporting the Confederate side. The only problem being, her older brother Landon joined the Yankee side as a doctor. He believes that if he works for the other side he can help more injured Confederates that are captured. Claire’s father has just been sent to another hospital base, and her mother must now take over of her and her little brother James. Claire likes to test her mother’s ability to control her. Claire begins to take a few trips a week to the local hospital and write letters for the injured to send to their families. She is very daring, and doesn’t think the honorable thing is always the correct way to handle situations. The book follows the course of her and her family’s life, but adds interesting characters along the way. One character is a woman that wants to remove any beauty mark from her face, so that she may fight as a man. Landon is unaware of this happening, or because of his honor would have stopped her. Claire Louise does know, and lets destiny run its course.
Personally, I thought this book was decent. I liked it because it is a historical fiction book. I like learning about little parts of history and this book does that. It has the history of the Civil war included. I understand it is fictional, but the book does make you realize the hardships for families of the time. For instance, Claire Louise and her family have enough food to eat because of their son and brother Landon, but most neighbors are starving inside their homes. They all move into caves to hide from the shelling that pepper their town. The book is a good introduction into some of our history without being grotesque. The book was a very easy read and no concept was hard to grasp. The ending was happy, which makes me believe its not very accurate of the time because most endings were not so great for families in the south.
Professionally, I would suggest this book to young middle school children. I believe that either gender would read this book. The perspective is from a girl, but there are many males in her life that help her make decisions. The language is simple and would be easily understood by students. I would recommend the book for individual reading sessions. It is historical fiction, and not completely accurate, but suitable to begin looking into our history. If a student is looking to get out of their comfort zone and want to read a new genre, they should try this book. It will give them a fictional account of the Civil war. It can teach students that war demands difficult choices. If this book catches their interest it would be simple to suggest some more based off of My Vicksburg.
Personally, I thought this book was decent. I liked it because it is a historical fiction book. I like learning about little parts of history and this book does that. It has the history of the Civil war included. I understand it is fictional, but the book does make you realize the hardships for families of the time. For instance, Claire Louise and her family have enough food to eat because of their son and brother Landon, but most neighbors are starving inside their homes. They all move into caves to hide from the shelling that pepper their town. The book is a good introduction into some of our history without being grotesque. The book was a very easy read and no concept was hard to grasp. The ending was happy, which makes me believe its not very accurate of the time because most endings were not so great for families in the south.
Professionally, I would suggest this book to young middle school children. I believe that either gender would read this book. The perspective is from a girl, but there are many males in her life that help her make decisions. The language is simple and would be easily understood by students. I would recommend the book for individual reading sessions. It is historical fiction, and not completely accurate, but suitable to begin looking into our history. If a student is looking to get out of their comfort zone and want to read a new genre, they should try this book. It will give them a fictional account of the Civil war. It can teach students that war demands difficult choices. If this book catches their interest it would be simple to suggest some more based off of My Vicksburg.
May 16, 2010
MY REVIEW:
I can't even begin to understand what it must have been like to be a young teen girl during the Civil War. The fear, the challenge, the work, the hope...it's a time period that seems longer ago than it really was.
In this book - My Vicksburg - Ann Rinaldi creates a fictional story based on history that will keep you glued to the radio (or MP3 player) until the last CD is over. It's fascinating to hear history in a personal view rather than just text book information.
This book is listed as Juvenile fiction, yet I would recommend it for older children, say ages 10 and up. Unfortunately there are 2 or 3 times where I noticed a bit of language that I did not appreciate.
However, as a whole, this audio book is a good way to entertain the family on a road trip. The narration is enjoyable as she brings depth to the characters with various voices. It's a story that will hold the attention of the whole family and since it's only 4 CDs long, it's the perfect length for any road trip.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Claire Louise Corbett and her Confederate family flee their home as Union soldiers shell their town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. They venture out from the safety of a cave only three times a day, when the Union army takes their meals at eight in the morning, noon, and eight at night. Although many of the townspeople suffer from a lack of food, the Corbetts receive extra rations from Claire Louise's brother, Landon, a doctor with the Union army. When Claire Louise discovers her brother tending to a Confederate soldier who is responsible for Robert E. Lee's "lost order" (causing the South to lose the Battle of Antietam), she is forced to make a difficult choice between family and friends. Award-winning historical novelist Ann Rinaldi paints a story of family, courage and secrets during the 47-day siege of Vicksburg, a battle that has sometimes been ignored in history because it ended the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio in connection with Side Door Communications.
I can't even begin to understand what it must have been like to be a young teen girl during the Civil War. The fear, the challenge, the work, the hope...it's a time period that seems longer ago than it really was.
In this book - My Vicksburg - Ann Rinaldi creates a fictional story based on history that will keep you glued to the radio (or MP3 player) until the last CD is over. It's fascinating to hear history in a personal view rather than just text book information.
This book is listed as Juvenile fiction, yet I would recommend it for older children, say ages 10 and up. Unfortunately there are 2 or 3 times where I noticed a bit of language that I did not appreciate.
However, as a whole, this audio book is a good way to entertain the family on a road trip. The narration is enjoyable as she brings depth to the characters with various voices. It's a story that will hold the attention of the whole family and since it's only 4 CDs long, it's the perfect length for any road trip.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Claire Louise Corbett and her Confederate family flee their home as Union soldiers shell their town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. They venture out from the safety of a cave only three times a day, when the Union army takes their meals at eight in the morning, noon, and eight at night. Although many of the townspeople suffer from a lack of food, the Corbetts receive extra rations from Claire Louise's brother, Landon, a doctor with the Union army. When Claire Louise discovers her brother tending to a Confederate soldier who is responsible for Robert E. Lee's "lost order" (causing the South to lose the Battle of Antietam), she is forced to make a difficult choice between family and friends. Award-winning historical novelist Ann Rinaldi paints a story of family, courage and secrets during the 47-day siege of Vicksburg, a battle that has sometimes been ignored in history because it ended the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio in connection with Side Door Communications.
April 16, 2018
In this book Claire looks a situation as not being as black or white as her brother does. Claire who lives in the town of Vicksburg in Mississippi during the Civil War. Claire’s town is under siege from the Union army and must abandon their home to live in a cave. Her father is a doctor for the Confederate army, and her brother Landon is a doctor for the Union army. One day her brother brings back a Confederate soldier who is badly wounded. He and his family take care of Robert because he is too weak and need to recover from his injury. Landon informs Claire that Robert is responsible for the loss that the South suffered in the battle of Antietam. Robert had a letter to deliver from Robert E. Lee, but he lost it and it was found by the Union. Landon feels that the honorable thing to do is turn Robert in to the Confederate army so they can try him. He will most likely be found to be a traitor. Claire feels terrible for Robert and does not believe that he meant to lose the letter. She knows he feels terrible about losing the letter and decides that she will help him escape from Vicksburg so her brother does not have a chance to turn him in. When her brother finds out that she helped Robert escape from him, their relationship suffers. Claire goes to the local hospital to help soldiers write letters home and finds that the girl her brother loves has come back from fighting against the North and has had her arm amputated. Sarah begs Hannah not to let her brother or anyone from town know that she is in Vicksburg. She is embarrassed about her lost arm and doesn’t want anyone to see her that way. She is planning to leave as soon as she’s strong enough. However, Claire takes a journey to find her brother and let him know about Sarah. He goes to Sarah immediately, and he and Claire begin to rebuild their relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2016
Ann Rinaldi's latest novel for young readers takes place during the Civil War in Mississippi during the 87-day Siege of Vicksburg in 1863. Claire Louise Corbet has always lived with her family in a large house with her family and many servants. Her father is brisk and stern but cares for his family. With her older brother enlisted as a doctor in the Union Army and her father as a doctor in the Confederate Army, it seems Claire Louise's world changes quickly. When General Grant and his troops march on Vicksburg, Claire Louise, her mother and little brother James must move from their grand home to caves carved into a hillside. Their cave rooms are spacious with many accomodations from home but it's hard not to worry with the constant shelling going on above their heads. During a cease-fire moment, Claire Louise sneaks off to pick berries and comes across her older brother nursing a man in a Confederate soldier. Claire Louise can tell Robert, the Confederate soldier, has a secret and is determined to help him in some way. Her views about honor and doing the right thing are challenged when she learns his secret. Claire Louise comes to a difficult decision that may change her life forever.
This book is filled with amazing period details that are Ann Rinaldi's specialty. The plot was good and kept me interested though it seemed rather thin. Claire Louise is a typical Rinaldi heroine, spunky and brave. I liked this book much better than some of her other more recent works because of the period details and also because the plot wasn't so depressing. I recommend this one to fans of Rinaldi's books young and old and also Civil War and history buffs.
This book is filled with amazing period details that are Ann Rinaldi's specialty. The plot was good and kept me interested though it seemed rather thin. Claire Louise is a typical Rinaldi heroine, spunky and brave. I liked this book much better than some of her other more recent works because of the period details and also because the plot wasn't so depressing. I recommend this one to fans of Rinaldi's books young and old and also Civil War and history buffs.
February 1, 2016
Claire is 13. Her brother is a doctor in the Union Army, and her father is a doctor in the Confederate Army. She lives with her mother and five-year-old brother in Vicksburg in May of 1863, just as General Grant's forces begin their bombardment of the city.
The book tells how the people in the city had to live in caves and cellars, and how the Union bombardment would be most of the daylight except for certain hours, precisely. It tells about how most of the people in the city ended up near starvation as the siege wore on.
Claire's family is lucky, though, as her Union brother is able to bring her some food. Since he's a doctor, it seems that he's pretty much free to go where he will, even into a Confederate city, although he is expected to help out in treated the wounded.
There's a small sub-plot of a girl who dresses up as a man to go fight (a subject covered in Ann Rinaldi's book Girl in Blue), and she ends up badly injured and loses an arm.
There's a second plot about a Confederate soldier who Claire's brother is treating and who he brings into the city. This is the man who lost some papers that allowed the Union to win a battle that they otherwise would have lost. The brother believes it is his duty to turn in the soldier to the Confederate Army (desertion, of course, but losing those battle papers would have brought on a severe penalty in itself), but Claire thinks he should go free.
It's another well-done book from Ann Rinaldi.
The book tells how the people in the city had to live in caves and cellars, and how the Union bombardment would be most of the daylight except for certain hours, precisely. It tells about how most of the people in the city ended up near starvation as the siege wore on.
Claire's family is lucky, though, as her Union brother is able to bring her some food. Since he's a doctor, it seems that he's pretty much free to go where he will, even into a Confederate city, although he is expected to help out in treated the wounded.
There's a small sub-plot of a girl who dresses up as a man to go fight (a subject covered in Ann Rinaldi's book Girl in Blue), and she ends up badly injured and loses an arm.
There's a second plot about a Confederate soldier who Claire's brother is treating and who he brings into the city. This is the man who lost some papers that allowed the Union to win a battle that they otherwise would have lost. The brother believes it is his duty to turn in the soldier to the Confederate Army (desertion, of course, but losing those battle papers would have brought on a severe penalty in itself), but Claire thinks he should go free.
It's another well-done book from Ann Rinaldi.
March 3, 2010
Claire Louise Corbet and her family live in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. The town is split with friends and family who have joined both Confederate and Union sides of the war. Claire's older brother Landon attended Harvard and joined the Union army as a doctor while Claire's father joined the Confederate cause as a doctor in Lee's army. When the Union army was laying seige on the town of Vicksburg, Landon returns with a Confederate soldier, Robert, whom Landon had been treating for his injuries. Landon is stuck knowing that he could be court martialed if he does not turn in this Confederate soldier, but they have become friends so the decision is not easy. Claire doesn't allow her brother to turn Robert in because she gets involved with helping Robert escape on her beloved horse Jewel. Claire learns a great deal about family, sibling relationships, love, and war in this Rinaldi novel. I was disappointed the novel was so short. I think Rinaldi could have developed the story more, but as usual, Rinaldi "takes the reader there" and shows us what living in Vicksburg would have been like during the Civil War. Epilogue, Author's Note, and Bibliography complete the text. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school.
March 17, 2009
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–It's 1863 in Vicksburg, MS, and 13-year-old Claire Louise Corbett and her well-to-do family flee their comfortable home for the safety of a cave as Union soldiers shell the town. On one of Claire's infrequent trips outside, she comes upon her older brother, Landon (a doctor in the Union army), tending to Robert, a wounded Confederate soldier. Claire befriends Robert and learns that he is responsible for misplacing an order issued by General Lee, causing the South to lose the battle of Antietam. Her brother feels honor-bound to turn Robert over to the authorities, and Claire is torn between letting Landon do so and somehow helping Robert escape. This choice weighs heavily on her mind and almost ruins her relationship with Landon, but in the end, all turns out well. Though readers will find the idea of living in a cave fascinating, Rinaldi focuses more on the protagonist's heroism and her difficult decision. Claire comes across as a strong-willed individual who is not afraid to think for herself. A good choice for fans of historical fiction, particularly the Civil War era.–Shannon Seglin, Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA
Grade 5-8–It's 1863 in Vicksburg, MS, and 13-year-old Claire Louise Corbett and her well-to-do family flee their comfortable home for the safety of a cave as Union soldiers shell the town. On one of Claire's infrequent trips outside, she comes upon her older brother, Landon (a doctor in the Union army), tending to Robert, a wounded Confederate soldier. Claire befriends Robert and learns that he is responsible for misplacing an order issued by General Lee, causing the South to lose the battle of Antietam. Her brother feels honor-bound to turn Robert over to the authorities, and Claire is torn between letting Landon do so and somehow helping Robert escape. This choice weighs heavily on her mind and almost ruins her relationship with Landon, but in the end, all turns out well. Though readers will find the idea of living in a cave fascinating, Rinaldi focuses more on the protagonist's heroism and her difficult decision. Claire comes across as a strong-willed individual who is not afraid to think for herself. A good choice for fans of historical fiction, particularly the Civil War era.–Shannon Seglin, Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA
July 24, 2010
I always love Ann Rinaldi's books. This one was about the Corbet family who like many others in their town lived in caves outside the city during the forty-seven day siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The story centers around Claire Louise Corbet the daughter of a Confederate doctor and sister of a Yankee doctor. She is faced with some very tough decisions concerning a a deserter from the Confederate Army and a family friend who was trying to get away from her brother because she didn't want Claire Louise's brother to find her. All in all the story was very good and was a really quick read. I think Claire Louise made the right decision both times. I would have definitely helped Robert get away he shouldn't be imprisoned for making an accident. Everyone deserves a second chance. I'm also glad she went and told Landon that Sarah was back home and what her plans were. If she hadn't her and Landon wouldn't have reconciled their bond and he and Sarah wouldn't have ended up married. I always like a book with a happy ending even if they did have to surrender and the South ended up losing. The characters in the book still end up okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2018
There were a couple of times that Claire Louise's mother spoke culture to her, and in one instance, the statement was, to me, quite chilling and full of the assumptions that one would expect from southern, American culture.
One utterance was about being in your night clothes in front of any man to whom you were not related. Southern culture was related to some Islamic cultures with that stricture.
The other utterance had to do with compromise and marriage and what women must do to get along with men: "Because you're the woman," she persisted. "And, that's part of a woman's job. When you wed someday, you will find out why. You'll have to do it to keep your marriage together."
This is one I have to read again. It is brief, having to do with the 47 days Vicksburg, Mississippi was under siege before the Confederate surrender. People lived in caves, starved, experienced great privation in support of the separatist war. Good study of gender roles and the ways some women bucked them during war time.
One utterance was about being in your night clothes in front of any man to whom you were not related. Southern culture was related to some Islamic cultures with that stricture.
The other utterance had to do with compromise and marriage and what women must do to get along with men: "Because you're the woman," she persisted. "And, that's part of a woman's job. When you wed someday, you will find out why. You'll have to do it to keep your marriage together."
This is one I have to read again. It is brief, having to do with the 47 days Vicksburg, Mississippi was under siege before the Confederate surrender. People lived in caves, starved, experienced great privation in support of the separatist war. Good study of gender roles and the ways some women bucked them during war time.
January 22, 2013
Honor is a tricky thing in the besieged city of Vicksburg in 1863. Claire Louise wishes she understood it.
Is there honor in her father who works in the Confederate hospitals and used to lock his daughter in the cellar for punishment? Or in her best friend’s older sister, who has disguised herself as a man and enlisted with the Confederacy? Or in Claire Louise’s older brother, Landon, who chose the other side and serves as a doctor for the Union? What form of honor can be found in a city where the inhabitants live in caves and survive on rat and mule meat?
And when the opportunity comes for Claire Louise to make her own choice, how will she know which decision is the honorable one?
My favorite elements of My Vicksburg were probably the historical ones, but I liked Claire Louise’s choices. Both of them. She has a mind of her own, which holds her in good stead amidst a cast of characters all making their own independent decisions.
Is there honor in her father who works in the Confederate hospitals and used to lock his daughter in the cellar for punishment? Or in her best friend’s older sister, who has disguised herself as a man and enlisted with the Confederacy? Or in Claire Louise’s older brother, Landon, who chose the other side and serves as a doctor for the Union? What form of honor can be found in a city where the inhabitants live in caves and survive on rat and mule meat?
And when the opportunity comes for Claire Louise to make her own choice, how will she know which decision is the honorable one?
My favorite elements of My Vicksburg were probably the historical ones, but I liked Claire Louise’s choices. Both of them. She has a mind of her own, which holds her in good stead amidst a cast of characters all making their own independent decisions.
May 24, 2012
The main problem in this story is that Claire Louise Corbett the protagonist must decide between her family and what is right. The problem is that her town of Vicksburg is under siege. The antagonist is her brother Landon Corbett he is a Union solider.
Setting:Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1863 spring
Claire Louise (protagonist): 13, blonde, brown eyed, very respectful and nice.
Landon (antagonist): 21 years old, doctor, brown haired, blue eyed, mature, good man.
I liked that it talked about what needs to be done instead of what wants to be done. "I will do what needs to be done even if it means giving my life for this country." (Landon)
The theme was it is better to do what needs to be done than what wants to be done.
I would recommend this book to all ages because it is a great book.
Setting:Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1863 spring
Claire Louise (protagonist): 13, blonde, brown eyed, very respectful and nice.
Landon (antagonist): 21 years old, doctor, brown haired, blue eyed, mature, good man.
I liked that it talked about what needs to be done instead of what wants to be done. "I will do what needs to be done even if it means giving my life for this country." (Landon)
The theme was it is better to do what needs to be done than what wants to be done.
I would recommend this book to all ages because it is a great book.
January 26, 2013
I listened to this book on the Playaway the other day. It was an interesting story with an interesting perspective of war, told from 13 year old Claire Louise's POV. It's fairly simple and short, although it is a YA book. Interesting character development for such a young group. Found some parts odd; would a teenage girl really sneak into the army, unnoticed, and not have repercussions? Letting a Yankee doctor stroll about so obviously? I don't know enough background on Vicksburg to say if these things are accurate or not, but there were several things I wondered about.
My 9 year old son is now listening to it, and is enjoying it. So maybe that says something about whom the intended audience is...
My 9 year old son is now listening to it, and is enjoying it. So maybe that says something about whom the intended audience is...
June 17, 2015
Eh...this was not one of her better books. I felt like there was too much focus on the family and not really on the circumstances surrounding them. With "Time Enough for Drums," for example, there was a good blend of the human struggle as well as a refreshing new look at the historical. But maybe I am biased, since I grew up in Vicksburg and it is IMPOSSIBLE to not know about the Siege (true story: we had park rangers visit my preschool class to talk about the war). It just felt like a story that could have taken place in any other Civil War battle setting and there wouldn't have been a huge difference. Disappointing.
Side-note: lovely to see one of my favorite VNMP peeps (and now park ranger herself), Nikki Anderson, get a shout-out in the acknowledgments! Go Nikki!
Side-note: lovely to see one of my favorite VNMP peeps (and now park ranger herself), Nikki Anderson, get a shout-out in the acknowledgments! Go Nikki!
January 15, 2011
My eleven-year-old son chose this book as part of his Battle of the Books at school. He decided we should read it aloud together. We both highly enjoyed this book. It seems as if Vicksburg is one of the less talked about battles of the Civil War. Add to the fact that one of our ancestors fought in that battle (which provided great discussions with Dad!) and we found a lot of interesting things about the novel. My son even said he enjoyed a war book that was told from a girl's point of view. There are some Battle of the Books choices this year that I found highly questionable, so I was rather glad my son chose to read THIS one.
March 9, 2017
Claire Louise is a young girl whose family is drawn into the middle of the Civil War when her older brother Landon signs up with the Union Army as a doctor, and their father joins the Confederate Army to serve as a doctor for them.
She and her mother, younger brother, and a couple of their servants have to flee their home and go live in a cave as danger encroaches on Vicksburg. Throughout the struggle to stay safe, stave off starvation, and the fear of losing both her brother and father, Claire stays brave and does whatever she can to help out, including caring for her younger brother and writings letters for wounded soldiers.
She and her mother, younger brother, and a couple of their servants have to flee their home and go live in a cave as danger encroaches on Vicksburg. Throughout the struggle to stay safe, stave off starvation, and the fear of losing both her brother and father, Claire stays brave and does whatever she can to help out, including caring for her younger brother and writings letters for wounded soldiers.
November 3, 2011
I appreciate the way Rinaldi makes history available to teens through her historical fiction. A Break with Charity (about the Salem witch trials) was excellent. My Vicksburg, though, was pretty bad. Claire Louise Corbet and her family move to a cave during the shelling of Vicksburg. Claire Louise is the most developed of all the characters, but her behavior is less than admirable. Would I recommend it to a teen? I would if they were looking for a short Civil War novel. Otherwise, give this one a miss.
May 5, 2012
I read this book in a sitting. I went to the library grabbed an armful of books and read the thinnest one first.
I like Ann Rinaldi's books, I have enjoyed everyone I've read. They are a little boring I must admit though.
If you enjoy historical fiction and want a very quick read this wouldn't be a bad choice.
It's set in the eyes of a thirteen year old girl, and she can be a bit whiney. That's the only part I really didn't like.
I like Ann Rinaldi's books, I have enjoyed everyone I've read. They are a little boring I must admit though.
If you enjoy historical fiction and want a very quick read this wouldn't be a bad choice.
It's set in the eyes of a thirteen year old girl, and she can be a bit whiney. That's the only part I really didn't like.
May 16, 2013
A short book about a very interesting chapter in history. For over a month the town of Vicksburg was shelled constantly and the people of the town hid in caves. The setting for the story was interesting, but the story itself was completely unrealistic and undeveloped. I love reading Ann Rinaldi books for the interesting historical facts, but the stories are not written as well as they could/should be.
June 26, 2013
As I lead my students into the genre of historical fiction, a colleague of mine suggested Rinaldi's work. It was an easy read that I believe my students will find accessible. The book and her bibliography reflect her attention to detail about the siege of Vicksburg and the period in general. Not quite meaty enough for me but I think it will be great for my students. I look forward to reading more of Rinaldi's work.
July 9, 2009
May, 1863, found Louisa's brother in the Union Army, her father in the Confederacy, and herself, mother and little brother hiding in a cave (with Persian rugs!) for protection from the constant Union shelling. A very odd look at life during the war. Surely children were affected more than this family seemed to be?
May 1, 2013
Excellent book for any age. Well written from the perspective of a young teen at the time of the Civil War in the South. Nice little historical story about how a teen may have experienced the battle of Vicksburg when it happened. Rinaldi writes well for teens and although an easy read I enjoyed this "young adult" fiction also.
September 13, 2013
This was a quick, easy read which does give a little insight historically to what happened at Vicksburg (but had I not known about Vicksburg, I may have missed those little details). Perhaps Rinaldi understated the difficulties of the time and situation to tell a story about a fourteen year girl. It's not a bad story, just not one of Rinaldi's best.
July 23, 2018
This was my first Rinaldi book (which is a bit surprising considering she published books during my childhood). I must say, I wasn't impressed. I should have looked at Goodreads before I read it. I have a hard time picturing one of my 5th or 6th grade students enjoying or finishing this book.
Am I missing something? Is there a better Rinaldi book out there that I should read?
Am I missing something? Is there a better Rinaldi book out there that I should read?
April 7, 2010
I am a fan of Rinaldi's historical fiction for children and teens. This book focused on the Siege of Vicksburg during the "War of Northern Aggression" (as they still call it in the South). I believe that it would appeal to children ages 10-12, but I believe that most teens would be bored.
April 16, 2010
This book was a little slow to start, but I thought it had a beautiful message about the love between a sister and a brother and how important it is not to let something come between that. Interesting stuff that I never knew about the civil war.
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