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Book Reviews of The River Between Us

The River Between Us
The River Between Us
Author: Richard Peck
PBS Market Price: $7.59 or $3.69+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780142403105
ISBN-10: 0142403105
Publication Date: 4/21/2005
Pages: 164
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 13

4 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Puffin Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

16 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The River Between Us on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Very good, well-written Civil War story. Though ostensibly for "young adult readers", I (age 53) enjoyed it quite a lot.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a great historical novel for teens, centered in the south during the civil war era, It is a Female version of this time in history for the young lady in the story it is a time of uncertanty, when the story unfolds it is amazing as to the diversity that makes the city of New Orleans the wonderous place that it is. surprises at every turn and a comming together of great cultures, this book is a must read.
precycle avatar reviewed The River Between Us on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
By Newbery-winning author of A Year Down Yonder. Within a masterful tale of mystery and the female Civil War experience, Richard Peck has spun a breathtaking portrait of the lifelong impact one person can have on another.
bluebells2 avatar reviewed The River Between Us on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book about the culture of the Civil War and what happened to the New Orleans culture of people who were left behind. I really loved this book. It was about how two women made their lives at the beginning of the war when blacks were held with suspision.
SuzanneB avatar reviewed The River Between Us on
Civil War fiction
reviewed The River Between Us on + 4 more book reviews
Fantastic story!
reviewed The River Between Us on + 3 more book reviews
Great book for youth about the Civil War. The characters are well developed and the descriptions of early steamship explosions, field hospitals, and New Orleans black women are all tastefully and interestingly dealt with.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 14 more book reviews
Civil war mystery from the female perspective
snickerdoodledog avatar reviewed The River Between Us on + 2 more book reviews
We enjoy everything Richard Peck writes. The River Between Us was educational in an entertaining and thought provoking kind of way. All of his characters seem so real, as if he really knows them. This book is a little on the sad side and maybe a little too adult for very young children. My kids we all over 10 when they read it. Some very good life lesson discussions took place afterwards.
demiducky25 avatar reviewed The River Between Us on + 161 more book reviews
This young adult book centers around Tilly Pruitt, a young woman growing up at the cusp of the Civil War. Her twin brother, Noah, is itching to go fight, but because their father walked out on the family, their mother is hesitant to lose someone else. They live in a town along the Mississippi River where boats frequently make stops. One day, an exotic young woman from New Orleans, Delphine, and her black companion, Calinda, disembark there, seeking refuge at Tilly's house. They bring with them mysteries, secrets, and a way of life unknown to the Pruitt family. Ultimately, their arrival will change the Pruitts forever.

I found this to be a very interesting read. Set during the Civil War, the war itself isn't prominently featured for most of the book (it is towards the later part of the book). This story is more focused on the way of life and society during that era and even discusses points about race and how fluid race can be. Keep in mind that the first chapter is set in 1916 by telling the story of a descendant of the Pruitts on his way back to the family homestead with his children in tow, then the bulk of the book is a flashback, and finally everything comes back together in 1916. I bring this up only because it isn't mentioned on the back cover & it's a bit weird to start reading a book that you think is going to be about the Civil War and have it start in 1916. This is a pretty captivating read with a few twists that will make it worth your while. Although meant for young adults, adults can read this too without feeling talked down to. In fact, it does give you some pretty mature, deep things to think about afterward.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 27 more book reviews
This ia a junior high story, but was intereweting for this aqdult reader. Explains the system of New Orleans Free Persons of
colour
system. I'm sure most young people are unaware of this system.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 8 more book reviews
Good story and plot. Surprise ending.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 40 more book reviews
this is was the greatest book ever! I love Richard Peck's writing, and the fact that he grew up in the same area of Illinois, Decatur that I did helps, because I can mentally picture the areas he writes about in my mind, but I really learned a lot about the civil war in the Illinois area, which was fasciniating. his writing is simplistic yet very engrossing.
I would definitely recommend this book and all of the other books he has written!
reviewed The River Between Us on + 23 more book reviews
This is a beautiful book that's feeling and imagery inspired me to be a better person
reviewed The River Between Us on + 240 more book reviews
A steamboat whistle splits the air one April evening in 1861,and with it, all is changed for fifteen-year-old Tilly Pruitt and her family. They've been living in a muddy little Mississippi River town in Illinois, fearing the approach of the Civil War. Tilly's twin brother, Noah, however , has been marching and drilling with the other boys in town, and all of them are ready to soldier---some for the North, some for the South.
When the Rob Roy from New Orleans docks at the landing, two remarkable figures come ashore: a commanding and glamorous young lady in a rustling hoop skirt and her darker, silent servant. Who are these two fascinating strangers? Is the servant a slave? Tilly's mother invites them both to room and board at her house, and with that simple gesture, the whole world shifts for the Pruitts as well as their visitors.
reviewed The River Between Us on + 15 more book reviews
This one is not in perfect condition, but is not sticky or musty, just a little used.