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Stonewall
“An absorbing biography of the controversial Confederate general, one of the country’s greatest, and oddest heroes.”— The New York Times
No one thought Thomas Jackson would grow up to be a hero. Certainly not his childhood friends, who laughed at him when he fell into the river on the way to church and then sat through the service in his wet clothes. The cadets at West Point watched him sweat buckets whenever he had to speak in class and doubted if he’d even graduate. But through it all, Jackson’s determination to succeed served him well. He found that war allowed him to be the kind of man he’d always dreamed of being. While other soldiers fell back in terror, Jackson stood “like a stone wall” and went on to be one of the most brilliant and heroic military leaders in America.
A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
No one thought Thomas Jackson would grow up to be a hero. Certainly not his childhood friends, who laughed at him when he fell into the river on the way to church and then sat through the service in his wet clothes. The cadets at West Point watched him sweat buckets whenever he had to speak in class and doubted if he’d even graduate. But through it all, Jackson’s determination to succeed served him well. He found that war allowed him to be the kind of man he’d always dreamed of being. While other soldiers fell back in terror, Jackson stood “like a stone wall” and went on to be one of the most brilliant and heroic military leaders in America.
A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
152 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 1979
4 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Jean Fritz
93 books156 followersJean Guttery Fritz was an American children's writer best known for American biography and history. She won the Children's Legacy Literature Award for her career contribution to American children's literature in 1986. She turned 100 in November 2015 and died in May 2017 at the age of 101.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 18, 2012
Jean Fritz does an outstanding job at captivating the life of a military hero by the name of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. In her book, she retells the important events that this man went through. From the beginning, when Jackson was born, to his adventures in war, every detail is covered. Not only are the journeys of his life retold, his personality and passions are described to readers. This book does an outstanding job at creating an image of this man, and the person he was. His challenges and successes are all discussed, which helps create an even more exact image for children. The details given about the Civil War provides examples of what war was like in those days. It also provides a picture for readers about what civilian had to go through during this difficult time. All in all this book is an excellent reader for various age groups, and will help students better understand the life of Stonewall Jackson.
This book is portrayed with accurate information. All of the facts, stories, and adventures that are described within the book are told with authentic information. From his birthplace, to the areas where he participated in war, all of the facts are authentic and accurate. The information is all presented in an organized way, mainly because it is told from his birth to his death. The author does not skip around from event to event, but she rather lets the stories flow in accordance of when they occurred in his actual life. Therefore, readers are able to understand the main character, and his way of life. This proves that the materials in the book are presented in a way that appeals to children, and is accessible to their reading/comprehension levels. Students are able to connect with the character more due to the amount of personality traits that are described in the book. Due to all of these aspects of the book, the child is able to follow the events clearly. Another reason that this is possible, is because the writer uses a clear writing style which generates enthusiasm for the reader. During each tale, the reader is captivated by the style of writing and the way the author presents the information.
I would definitely use this story within the classroom. I thought the book was extremely well-written, and the author did an amazing job at presenting the information in a relatable way for the students. I would use this book during a unit or lesson about the Civil War, or when talking about famous military heros. I think the book is accessible for children to use either as guided reading or as independent readers. I also think it would be a good book for children to read as a part of a research assignment about this particular person or aspect of the Civil War.
This book is portrayed with accurate information. All of the facts, stories, and adventures that are described within the book are told with authentic information. From his birthplace, to the areas where he participated in war, all of the facts are authentic and accurate. The information is all presented in an organized way, mainly because it is told from his birth to his death. The author does not skip around from event to event, but she rather lets the stories flow in accordance of when they occurred in his actual life. Therefore, readers are able to understand the main character, and his way of life. This proves that the materials in the book are presented in a way that appeals to children, and is accessible to their reading/comprehension levels. Students are able to connect with the character more due to the amount of personality traits that are described in the book. Due to all of these aspects of the book, the child is able to follow the events clearly. Another reason that this is possible, is because the writer uses a clear writing style which generates enthusiasm for the reader. During each tale, the reader is captivated by the style of writing and the way the author presents the information.
I would definitely use this story within the classroom. I thought the book was extremely well-written, and the author did an amazing job at presenting the information in a relatable way for the students. I would use this book during a unit or lesson about the Civil War, or when talking about famous military heros. I think the book is accessible for children to use either as guided reading or as independent readers. I also think it would be a good book for children to read as a part of a research assignment about this particular person or aspect of the Civil War.
February 19, 2020
I liked this book. The author describes Stonewall's life in such a way that helps me to see how and why his personality and character developed the way it did. He certainly wasn't perfect and demanded a lot from people, but he didn't require anything of others that he did not expect also from himself. So few people could endure the loss of so many people close to them and not allow it to result in a bitter and angry heart, especially toward God. Instead of getting angry at God, Stonewall loved Him.
March 6, 2013
I usually hate biographies, but this one was told like a story, so I liked it a little bit more than usual. Even though this story was placed WAY back then, you can still learn somethings from it, such as you can't have any regrets when you finally are done with life; you gotta live life to the fullest no matter what.
November 1, 2013
This book ws very descriptive and amazing at making the battles of Stonewall Jackson come to life. Although I learned throughout the book, that it was very hard to understand. There were way too many places and battles to remember it all, plus he visited more than one place and all of the battles seemed the same. But, I did enjoy learning more about the famous general and his adventures.
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September 10, 2009J973.7Fri
May 13, 2011
I enjoyed reading about Stonewall and I finally learned why they called him Stonewall.
February 25, 2015
I enjoyed this book because of war.
I hated this book because not enough action.
I hated this book because not enough action.
June 21, 2019
Normally I love Jean Fritz's books, but I gave this one just two stars because some of the battle descriptions are too long, detailed, and boring for me. The rest of it's interesting, though.
February 7, 2019
Stonewall by Jean Fritz. The children and I have enjoyed most of the reading we have done about the American Civil War, and at this point we decided to bridge into a little nonfiction about the war because the historical fiction that we've read has so captured our imagination.
A true favorite of my thirteen year old's is With Lee in Virginia. Lee and Jackson are two of the more focuses historical characters in Henty's book, and Henty really captures the tension between being a supporter of rights for black people and being a part of the Confederacy. It's a smartly nuanced story, and I recommend it. Because Jackson intrigued us so much in With Lee in Virginia, I remembered that I had a biography of him on my unread shelf (bought in 2013!), and pulled it out.
Stonewall, on the other hand, is a biography of Thomas Jackson, one of the leading men on the Confederate side of the war. Fritz paints a careful picture of Jackson, showing both his disadvantaged childhood and his unhappy adulthood leading into the war. She shows him as a man always striving for glory, for victory and for pride, but concerned that this might not be pleasing to his God. Jackson is a walking mass of contradictions, and so heroic, yet so fallible at the same time, that it was impossible not to feel affection and gentleness toward him.
I do confess that this book was far more interesting for both my thirteen year old and I than for the other children. I don't think this is a book that you should necessarily just pick up unless you're already interested in the war. Jackson is far too odd a character and there are far too many detailed battle descriptions for those who do not already have an interest in this portion of history to enjoy the book.
A true favorite of my thirteen year old's is With Lee in Virginia. Lee and Jackson are two of the more focuses historical characters in Henty's book, and Henty really captures the tension between being a supporter of rights for black people and being a part of the Confederacy. It's a smartly nuanced story, and I recommend it. Because Jackson intrigued us so much in With Lee in Virginia, I remembered that I had a biography of him on my unread shelf (bought in 2013!), and pulled it out.
Stonewall, on the other hand, is a biography of Thomas Jackson, one of the leading men on the Confederate side of the war. Fritz paints a careful picture of Jackson, showing both his disadvantaged childhood and his unhappy adulthood leading into the war. She shows him as a man always striving for glory, for victory and for pride, but concerned that this might not be pleasing to his God. Jackson is a walking mass of contradictions, and so heroic, yet so fallible at the same time, that it was impossible not to feel affection and gentleness toward him.
I do confess that this book was far more interesting for both my thirteen year old and I than for the other children. I don't think this is a book that you should necessarily just pick up unless you're already interested in the war. Jackson is far too odd a character and there are far too many detailed battle descriptions for those who do not already have an interest in this portion of history to enjoy the book.
February 17, 2022
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was orphaned at a young age and sent to live with his uncle. He was a rule-maker, and throughout his life he continued to live by strict and sometimes odd rules.
Jean Fritz’s biographies are one of a kind. The are very informative and inviting, making you want to learn even more about that person.
Jean Fritz’s biographies are one of a kind. The are very informative and inviting, making you want to learn even more about that person.
June 4, 2022
Seemed like an honest account of the quirky General.
June 19, 2025
3.5 stars. Good, but rushed. A lot of history packed into this tiny book. I wish the author would have slowed down, but it’s understandable considering it was written for children.
June 22, 2024
This was a good book to be introduced to Stonewall Jackson. I only knew a few things about him but this book provided a good description of the childhood through adult years. I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted a good background on who Stonewall Jackson was.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews