What do You think about Soldier's Heart: Being The Story Of The Enlistment And Due Service Of The Boy Charley Goddard In The First Minnesota Volunteers (2000)?
"Soldier's Heart" by Gary Paulsen is a novel based on Charley Goddard's experience in the Civil War. This book is very fast-paced, primarily slowing for only battle scenes; in fact, the book clocks in at a mere 106 pages. My guess is this was intended to keep the target audience (middle-grade readers) captivated. But if you aren't a middle grade reader, the lack of content just makes the book seem unrealistic. Another major problem is how Charley is described in battle. One moment Charley is looking around the battlefield. Then, in the next sentence, he is suddenly filled with "savage rage".Here's a direct quote:"Charley glanced at him, surprised. Nelson had been there. Cocky Nelson. He was nowhere to be seen and Charley hadn't seen him get hit, hadn't seen him fall. Charley ran on, Some men slowed, satisfied that they'd won the fight, but Charley couldn't stop running and soon found himself in front of the line. He would have been shocked to see himself. His lips were drawn back showing his teeth, and his face was contorted in a savage rage. He wanted to kill them. He wanted to catch them and run his bayonet through them and kill them. All of them. Stick and jab and shoot and murder them and kill them all, each and every Rebel's son of them." Um... what? Overall, "Soldier's Heart" is an inoffensive Civil War novel for middle-grade readers. But, other than that, little can be said. In the end, this novel is just mediocre and unmemorable. Rating: 3/5 stars
—ThePerksOfBeingCarswellThorne
Soldier's Heart is a blunt depiction of Civil War combat. Based on the real-life experiences of Charley Goddard, the novel is an account of Charley's experiences from the time he enlists in the Union army at age fifteen to a couple of years after the Civil War when he is twenty-one and his life is a shambles. The title of the book is a phrase used by Americans to label Civil War veterans who seemed mentally lost because of the war. The atmosphere at the town meetings discussing the possibility is festive, with flags and drums and patriotic speeches. I read this book in grade school and felt a little overwhelmed with the story line and language. My older brother convinced me to read it and I am happy I did. This is a well written book by Gary Paulsen. It shows a 15 year old who thinks he knows it all and has all of the confidence in the world and quickly realizes life is not as easy as it seems. His fears and insecurities are exposed as he is quickly thrown into the realities of war.This book could definitely be used in the classroom when reviewing world history or how we got our independence. There are so many references to real life soldiers and their stories it almost seems like you are there.
—Adrienne Morgan
This book was kind of cheesy, I thought. It was a great book for teens to read about the Civil War, reading all about the bodies, the shock, and other things. It was in third person, which is not my favorite, but I will still read. The boy sneaks into the Army, not knowing what was coming for him. He survives several brutal battles. Charlie comes home from the war...but he just can't stand life. He won't kill himself, not yet, but it's just so hard for him. He lives in a house far away from town.This is why I think the book is sad.A very good book, something I would recommend, just not my favorite.
—Alysha Speer
