Silent Thunder

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Historical Fiction
Review: Although this historical novel has engaging characters, the whole premise of the book is historically inaccurate. If the story had taken place in 1863 instead of 1862, then the desire of Rosco to become a Union soldier might have been more credible. How could editors not check basic facts such as when Black solders were recruited for the Union Army and the date of the Battle of Vicksburg? I am mystified by the necessity of Rosco to travel by the Underground Railroad when Northern Virginia was full of Union troops. In 1862, American Americans who escaped from their masters fled to the protection of the Union Army where they became Contraband of War. Some of the contrabands subsequently became Union soldiers. Why would a slave go to Pennsylvania when it was a short trip to Union lines? I question the branding of the the Parnell slaves. Parnell is not portrayed as inhuman and at the time of the Civil War, branding was considered an atrocity. Felons, escaped slaves, or army deserters might be branded, but it seems unlikely in the story as presented. I also wondered about the geography of the book. From the map, bodies for a medical college at Winchester would have to be transported a long distance during wartime. It is upsetting that the book could receive good reviews from a number of prominent reviewers when it is so inaccurate. I am concerned that a story like this does more harm for children than good. In Virginia, we have Standards of Learning tests where children must know accurate history. They will not learn it from Silent Thunder.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This is one of my favorite books. I enjoy reading stories written from the perspective of children slaves. I liked the fact that she kept learning to read. She did what she knew she had the right to do and didn't let other people hold her down. This is a good book on the strength of the human spirit.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This is one of my favorite books. I enjoy reading stories written from the perspective of children slaves. I liked the fact that she kept learning to read. She did what she knew she had the right to do and didn't let other people hold her down. This is a good book on the strength of the human spirit.

Rating:
Summary: My Thoughts of Silent Thunder
Review: Well...what all of those other people are saying isn't true...if you are a 14 year old girl like me...i was assigned to chose any civil war book to do a book report on...looking at how short this one was and how big the words were...i started reading and it seemed every time i read, i hated the book more and more...now i am a procrastinator so when it was two days before the due date and i had only read about 70 out of 208 pgs, i knew i had better get reading...i really thought this book was a good explanation of what slave children went through (if they had kind owners)...but when i read it i realized that certain facts were only brought up a few times and you never heard anything else about them, like the fact that Rosco wanted to enlist in the army...all in all, if i had to read a civil war story again...i'd choose this one!!!

Certain people have badmouthed this book and i think that should not be allowed. From what I have learned about the Civil War, all this information seems pretty accurate so shut people...you have no right to say such things. If there were mistakes, then I'm sure it was an accident... GOD, please forgive those horrid people for being so incentive toward this book...you created all men/women and their faults for a purpose.