In this action-packed historical fiction novel, Jesse Bowman joins the Union Army in hopes of finding adventure. However, this teenage soldier learns that victory comes at a great cost. He discovers the hardships of war, the horror of battle, and the loss of friendship on his journey through the Civil War. Join Tom McGowen as he tells the story of one boy's contribution to the Union's triumph over the Confederacy. Grade 4–6—Jesse, 16, admires the dress uniforms and the soldiers of the Chicago Zouaves and eagerly enlists, looking forward to excitement and adventure. He soon discovers that the issues behind the fighting are much more complex than he had understood; during his travels, he meets an abolitionist soldier, befriends the daughter of a slave owner, and watches his fellow soldiers pillage a Southern town. The battle scenes are gripping and filled with descriptions of the life of a soldier. The book concludes with an 11-page section, A "Real History Behind the Story," which includes information about the Zouaves and the war itself, as well as a map and reproductions. The attention to detail sometimes makes the prose clunky, but readers interested in the Civil War will enjoy the story.— Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fifteen-year-old Jesse Bowman, bored at home, joins the Chicago Zouave regiment of the Union Army. Looking for adventure, he finds much more than he bargained for. Deprivation, injury, and death are as much a part of the Jesse’s experiences as the onslaught from Confederate troops. The new Historical Fiction Adventure series aims to mix accurate history with a strong story, and although the writing is sometimes workmanlike, readers will certainly get a sense of what war is like. McGowen covers some interesting aspects of the war that will be unfamiliar to most readers—for instance, after the townsfolk of Athens, Georgia, aid the rebel soldiers, the Union commander allows his troops to ransack the town. Jesse is horrified by what the soldiers do to noncombatants. The steady action on the page is in contrast to the book’s staid format, but the backmatter (The Real History behind the Story) has a few photos. A brief bibliography and some Web sites complete the package. Grades 5-8. --Ilene Cooper Colorful, action-filled covers introduce middle school readers to Enslow Publishers' first fiction titles. Looking for some excitement in his life, Jesse enlists in the Union Army during the Civil War. Hannah, disguised as a boy, serves on a pirate ship during the American Revolution. Historical accuracy brings life to these tales. Students will not only enjoy the adventure and danger that Jesse and Hannah encounter, but also will be intrigued knowing these events are based on real experiences. The "Real History Behind the Story" section is a great addition to this historical fiction series. These would be excellent books for teachers to use in their classrooms, because they intertwine American history with realistic tales. They will also give a boost to the library's historical fiction collection. Recommended., Library Media Connection March 2008