REVIEW: I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg

I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg
Author: Lauren Tarshis

I have always been curious about this series. There are 17 books in the I Survived series, each relating a fictional story about characters involved in all sorts of historical events and disasters. The books cover many different events ranging from the more modern (9/11) to events way back in history (The Destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD). I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg is the 7th book in the series. Each book is a stand alone story, so it isn't necessary to read the series in order.

The basics: Thomas and his little sister are slaves on a southern plantation. In order to avoid being sold like his older brother, Thomas and the little girl run away from the plantation. They are scared that slave hunters will find them and that they will be severely punished for running away. But, they run into Union Army soldiers and go with them. But, they aren't safe. The soldiers are preparing for a big battle at Gettysburg, PA. The story relates what Thomas and his sister saw and experienced during the big battle that killed more than 20,000 men.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story. It's a quick listen at just under 1.5 hours in length. Mia Barron narrates. She reads at a nice pace and has an easily understood voice with good inflection. I have hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand her. After the story about Thomas and his sister, there is an afterward from the author, Lauren Tashis. She talks about how she researched the battle for this book and she shares some information about the civil war and the battle. Also included is a reading of the Gettysburg address. I am impressed. Much research and thought went into this book, and it's a great educational tool for use with students or kids at home. The language and explanations are age appropriate, and the story relates the battle in terms that children will understand. The cover art is wonderful!

I can't wait to read more of this series! This was an interesting and very well-written fictional account of the battle.