Home
US History I
Civil War Progression 

Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen
New York: Scholastic, 1998

     This novella is a fictionalized account of a real Civil War soldier, Charlie Goddard, who at fifteen, lied about his age and joined the Union army.  The story chronicles Charlie’s odyssey from his Minnesota farm through boot camp and through the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and then home to Minnesota, a broken young man suffering from “soldier’s heart” (post traumatic stress syndrome).  Included are vignettes of marching and travel, field hospitals, and daily life in camp.

Comment
     This novella can be read in one or two sittings, but don’t let the length deceive you.  The poignancy and irony in Paulsen’s writing comes through in every chapter.  The chapter where Charlie aids a gut shot soldier, not to prep him for the field hospital (field hospitals refused gut shot soldiers), but to help the soldier commit suicide, is unforgettable.  The irony of Charlie’s reluctance to kill captured rebel horses for meat but killing human soldiers with the frenzy of a madman speaks volumes on the dehumanization of war.
     The theme of Soldier’s Heart transcends the Civil War and applies to the brutality of all wars. 

Reading Level:  5.7
Interest Level:  7 - 12

Supports the Following Instructional Objectives:

Describe the cultural, political and military progression of events in the Civil War

Excerpt    

     “Same as,” he said, shaking his head.  “I’m always in the way.  Best I go off and see what the big fuss is all about.”
     “You ain’t but a boy.”
     “And I’ve got to be a man sometime.  You’ve said it more than once yourself.  Charley, you said, you’ve got to be a man.  Well, here it is ---my chance to be a man.  A boy wouldn’t go off to earn eleven dollars a month and wear a uniform.  Only a man.  So I’m gong to be a man and do what a man can do.”
     And he won.  She knew he would and he did and he took his bread and cold potatoes and chicken and left home walking down the road for Fort Snelling, and if she had known what was to come of it, if she had known and could tell him what would come of it, she would have fought to drag him back and let the federal government keep their eleven dollars a month.
     But she also had heard the songs and the slogans and seen the parades, had been to the meetings, and though it was her son Charley leaving she did not think it would be.

This book review prepared by David Peterson, ninth grade US history teacher at Fairmont Junior High School in Boise.  You may contact him via email at:  peterd@fair1.sd01.k12.id.us  

Historical Fiction and Idaho U.S. History Curriculum
U.S. History I  U.S. History II  Books by Author  Author Links  Idaho Connections
© Blaine Davies, All Rights Reserved
E-mail Blaine Davies at blainedavies@cableone.net