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Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero
by
This fast-paced, high-energy picture book tells the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who at age nineteen disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. She took the name Frank Thompson and joined a Michigan army regiment to battle the Confederacy. Sarah excelled as a soldier and nurse on the battlefield. Because of her heroism, she was asked to become a sp
...more
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
If I want to depress myself on a given day I'll compare the list of biographical subjects that kids in school are handed to pick and choose from with the biographical subjects that I had to pick and choose from when I was a kid some twenty odd years ago. It's disheartening. Essentially, it's the same list. Teachers always include Edison, Einstein, Washington, Tubman, Keller, etc. Once in a while someone will fall out of favor (Benjamin Banneker) to be replaced with someone new (Matthew Henson) b
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This is a great picture book, well researched with fantastic illustrations, describing the civil war experience of a person who was born female and lived as a guy during the civil war (and perhaps beyond). There were many female-born people who "passed" as men in order to fight during the civil war, and it is likely some of them were people who would today identify as trans, transgender or transmasculine.
What sets Frank Thompson aka Frank Thompson/Sarah Edmonds apart from others in similar shoe ...more
What sets Frank Thompson aka Frank Thompson/Sarah Edmonds apart from others in similar shoe ...more
Biography PB 10: I would recommend this book because I think it tells of a unknown, yet courageous person in history that has a valuable story to tell. I appreciated that the book highlighted the value of persistence (as she was turned down initially be recruiters) because children can take away the idea that if they work hard at something, they can succeed despite hardship. I think the story of Sarah Edmonds has a strong message about standing up for what you want even in the face of diversity,
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Apr 30, 2018
Tegan
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
biography,
childrens,
civil-war,
female-lead,
feminism,
grad-school,
historical,
library,
lvdl,
non-fiction
What an amazing woman! Such an amazing life! What she did after the war is just as amazing as what she did during it! I really want to read her book, as well as those others published about her! Read for Info Books for Youth for grad school.
Apr 01, 2011
Margaret Chind
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Margaret by:
Laura Mihalick
Shelves:
picture-book,
history,
abrams-hbg,
american-history,
biography-autobiography,
own,
civil-war
Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.
Recommended to Margaret by: Laura Mihalick
Read in November, 2011 — I own a copy
When I wanted to get information together to join a descendants group, my father, the genealogist, insisted that I join through a woman. I have no doubt that he would be delighted with the idea of this book. Though my descendant group was back to the revolutionary war I am certain anyone who could claim descendancy to Sarah Edmonds would be as proud as I am to my Sarah Butle ...more
The authors Marissa Moss and John Hendrix in this very engaging picture book "Nurse, Soldier, Spy. The story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero" present an extraordinary life story of the woman who “discovered the freedom of taking big strides unhindered by heavy skirts”. It tells the story of Sarah Emma Edmonds who is the first and only documented woman to become a soldier in the Civil War. Dressed like a man and pretending to be a man she showed courage and bravery but also emotional and physi
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Filled with lively pen and ink illustrations, hand-drawn typography, and an engaging text, this story of Sarah Edmonds, a woman who disguised herself as a man to avoid an arranged marriage, follows Sarah as she enlists in the army during the Civil War as a private. Not only did she fight alongside the men who became her friends, but she also carried some of them from the battlefield and nursed them. Eventually, Sarah became a spy, slipping behind the Confederates' lines in order to bring back in
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I give the story itself 5 stars but I'm not too fond of the bobble-head look of the art and give that 2.5 stars so that averages out to be about 4 stars.
Sarah Edmonds' story is a fascinating one, as interesting as Mary Walkers' tale set around the same time. I think Edmonds' adventures were actually more dangerous and therefore exciting to read.
Sarah Edmonds' story is a fascinating one, as interesting as Mary Walkers' tale set around the same time. I think Edmonds' adventures were actually more dangerous and therefore exciting to read.
A great introduction into a life we don't hear enough about--Sarah Edmonds, a woman who chose to live as a man before and during the Civil War. Cited for bravery, she was asked to spy on the South, and did so successfully. This short book chronicles her story, but she wrote her own.
Drop any knowledge you thought you had on the Civil War. Did you know that there were women fighting? YES, women!! The intriguing stories of the hundreds of women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the Civil War are becoming more known through biographies just like this one. This book is centered around Sarah Edmonds who fled to Canada dressed as a man to escape an arranged marriage. She bravely enlisted in the Union Army to fight in the Civil War, and made a name for herself as a marks
...more
This fast-paced, high-energy picture book tells the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who at age nineteen disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. She took the name Frank Thompson and joined a Michigan army regiment to battle the Confederacy. Sarah excelled as a soldier and nurse on the battlefield. Because of her heroism, she was asked to become a spy.
Colorful and eye-catching style throughout the book. Very interesting - and as always be sure to read the author's note at ...more
Colorful and eye-catching style throughout the book. Very interesting - and as always be sure to read the author's note at ...more
Very well-done by the authors.
But, in this day of mixed up genders, I'm not sure how I liked this life-story. Sarah Emma Edmonds certainly did some remarkable things while disguised as a man. Her story as a nurse and spy for the Union Army was fantastic. And, it's true, I don't appreciate life as a woman in the 1800s. But I'm more inspired by women who accomplish great things while staying true to themselves.
But, in this day of mixed up genders, I'm not sure how I liked this life-story. Sarah Emma Edmonds certainly did some remarkable things while disguised as a man. Her story as a nurse and spy for the Union Army was fantastic. And, it's true, I don't appreciate life as a woman in the 1800s. But I'm more inspired by women who accomplish great things while staying true to themselves.
Staff Pick
Heather
The story of Frank Thompson/Sarah Emma Edmonds is a remarkable one. Sarah lived and fought as a man because of the freedom such a life gave her. As a soldier she held many different jobs, including the difficult and demanding jobs of nurse and spy. Read all about this amazing woman.
Heather
The story of Frank Thompson/Sarah Emma Edmonds is a remarkable one. Sarah lived and fought as a man because of the freedom such a life gave her. As a soldier she held many different jobs, including the difficult and demanding jobs of nurse and spy. Read all about this amazing woman.
soldier, woman, spy, nurse, civil war, president, recruiter, bloody, battle
This was a wonderful book about a very important woman that too little is known about. I had never heard of Sarah Edmonds before and was shocked to read about her life. A must-have for an older elementary classroom. Historical Fiction. 2011.
Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum
At the age of nineteen, Sarah Emma Edmonds disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. As Frank Thompson, she fought the Confederacy. First a soldier, then a battlefield nurse, Sarah was as brave as any man and she kept her secret well. After showing considerable bravery, Emma was recruited to become a spy. Disguising herself as a black man, Sarah crossed enemy lines. What she discovered was that if people ignored you as a woman, ...more
At the age of nineteen, Sarah Emma Edmonds disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. As Frank Thompson, she fought the Confederacy. First a soldier, then a battlefield nurse, Sarah was as brave as any man and she kept her secret well. After showing considerable bravery, Emma was recruited to become a spy. Disguising herself as a black man, Sarah crossed enemy lines. What she discovered was that if people ignored you as a woman, ...more
This is a fascinating account of the life of Sarah Emma Edmonds. I don't believe I had ever heard of her before, but she was quite the hero! She had been disguising herself as a man for three years before the Civil War started, so she was very good at it when she signed up to fight as a soldier for the North. This includes details of her work as a nurse and her first mission as a spy. I would have continued to enjoy this even if it had gone on and on with details about her life - it all sounds f
...more
Excellent historical novel for teens based closely on the memoirs and U. S. military documents about Sarah Emma Edmonds, the first woman to acquire (by her own petition!) military recognition, pension, and honors. To escape oppression and an arranged marriage to an elderly man, she left home the only way possible at the time: dressed as a man. She began to appreciate all the freedom that life afforded her, including the ability to work. From there, she joined the army to defend the Union when th
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I think that this text would be beneficial to use as in social studies and reading unit. It's important for students to use reading as a basis to learn social studies, and to use nonfiction text as a means to help reading. This text includes humorous illustrations, as to support the text and reader to help visualize what it might have been like in the past. Also, this text could be used to introduce people who were important in our history that aren't always recognized. This book would be good t
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Sep 30, 2012
Megan Moriarty
added it
"Nurse, Soldier, Spy" is an excellent book that provides children with a look at what the Civil War was like. It is about a woman, Sarah Edmonds, who disguises herself as a man to fight in the war. Besides being an excellent soldier, she was an excellent nurse who saved many lives. When a chaplain saw how good she was at being a nurse, he recommended her for a spy job. She was very sneaky and was able to report back to Union generals what the Confederate troops were up to. If it weren't for Sara
...more
Mar 31, 2013
Susan
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
19th-century,
biography,
grade-4,
grade-5,
grade-3,
history,
non-fiction,
united-states,
women,
american-civil-war
Frank Thompson had a distinguished career as a Union soldier. He fought in some of the most important battles of the Civil War, trained and served as a nurse on the front lines, and wore many disguises as a spy for the Union army. But Frank Thompson had an even deeper secret. He was really Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Canadian farm girl who had disguised herself as a man and run away to Michigan to escape an arranged marriage. For three years she lived and worked as a man before enlisting in the Union
...more
Same illustrator, John Hendrix, as Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, with its characature-type illustrations, and key phrases hand lettered in large, fancy font. "You there, boy!" Hendrix helps tells the story with his clever use of full color and subdued figures woven together, especially the page with the map where she is crossing over to Canada. One illustration may need explanation as to why a log is in the cannon holder rather than a cannon. Some vocabulary may need explanation, such as ramparts
...more
The story of Sarah Edmonds is a fascinating one for many reasons. She escaped an arranged marriage by disguising herself as a man and crossing from Canada to the U.S., ending up in Michigan in time to fight in the Civil War. Her lack of facial hair made her look even younger, so her first effort to enlist was refused, but later she managed to serve, under the name Frank Thompson. Then, as Frank, "he" became a nurse and a spy, an ongoing master/mistress of disguise, crossing enemy lines as everyt
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The whole time I was reading this book I thought, "Man, this illustrator isn't being very kind to Sarah Edmonds here. She really looks like a man." I was a little distracted because of this while reading, but the story did manage to regain my attention and drew me in. It is really a very good story and nicely written. The best part about it is that it is true. At the end, I read the author's note and saw the picture of her. She did look like a man. Actually, a very attractive man.
That author's ...more
That author's ...more
This was a very well written book on the life of Sarah Edmonds who lived her life as a man so she could be 'free' of an arranged marriage and life in Canada. She put on pants and cut her hair and came to the states then later joined the Civil War. There she fought and worked just like a 'man' but at times even tougher. (Including helping treat injured solders when it often took 'men' with strong stomachs to do that job.) She was commended by her work and was put in a position as a spy. She dress
...more
Jan 05, 2014
Mary Ann
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2nd,
3rd,
4th,
5th,
biography,
courage,
history,
picture-book-for-older-readers,
picture-books,
women-s-history
At age nineteen, Sarah Edmonds disguised herself as a man and joined the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. She took the name Frank Thompson, and headed off to battle the Confederacy with her Michigan regiment. Frank, as Sarah was known, was an outstanding soldier, brave and true, risking his/her life to help others.
My students loved the way Hendrix showed the battle scenes, using both color and dramatic lines to bring readers right into the scene. Hendrix also makes the words pop out from th ...more
My students loved the way Hendrix showed the battle scenes, using both color and dramatic lines to bring readers right into the scene. Hendrix also makes the words pop out from th ...more
Although the main character, Sarah Emma Edmonds, is a fascinating subject who had a number of adventures, the writing leaves something to be desired. The author tells the story too quickly at times, and the sentence structure can be distracting. However, the biographical information is novel and interesting; I had not heard of Sarah Edmonds before reading this book. At nineteen she cut her hair, dressed in men's clothes, and came to the United States from Canada to escape an arranged marriage. S
...more
This rating might be closer to 2.75. But I can't seem to bring it up to 3. I was really looking forward to this book. I had seen the Illustrator interviewed and was fascinated by his art. Also, it fit my passion for historical medical/nursing content. I don't know why, but it left me slightly disturbed. It felt so weird that this woman was able to pass as a man so completely. I found myself staring at the illustrations trying to see the woman in there. There were also a couple of real photos of
...more
Clear writing, well-paced, bold illustrations, and typography from Civil War posters, tell the story of Sarah Edmonds who disguised herself as a man to join the Union Army during the war as a soldier, trained and served as a nurse, then became a spy by changing her appearance again to look like an African American and slip into the Confederate Army ranks. Fascinating photos of Sarah as a woman and a man are included in the backmatter along with an informative approx. 1,000 word Author's Note, an
...more
An interesting pictue book biography about a woman named Sarah Emma Edmonds who dressed as a man to fight in the civil war. The illustrations are very detailed and colorful. The illustrator, John Hendrix, also illustrated Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek and uses the same style of illustration. The author's note at the back of the book provide additional information about Sarah after the war ended until she passed away. A good choice for younger students about adventure and being strong enough to do
...more
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Who is Marissa Moss anyway?
I’ve been making children’s books for a looooong time. I sent my first picture book to publishers when I was nine, but it wasn’t very good and they didn’t publish it. I didn’t try again until I was a grown-up and then it took five years of sending out stories, getting them rejected, revising them and sending them back over and over until I got my first book. Now I’ve pub ...more
More about Marissa Moss
I’ve been making children’s books for a looooong time. I sent my first picture book to publishers when I was nine, but it wasn’t very good and they didn’t publish it. I didn’t try again until I was a grown-up and then it took five years of sending out stories, getting them rejected, revising them and sending them back over and over until I got my first book. Now I’ve pub ...more
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