The Slopes Of War

Product Description Buck Summerhill is a young soldier from West Virginia. He faces the horrors of the battle of Gettysburg knowing that his two cousins, Custis and Mason, may be fighting against him in the Army of Northern Virginia. The Slopes of War is a fast-paced, panoramic story of a family divided in loyalty but equally affected by the dangers and sometimes senseless brutality of battle. From School Library Journal Grade 8–10—Focusing on the few days of the Battle at Gettysburg, this novel creates a clear picture of what it might have been like to be a part of this period of history. The lives of characters fighting for both sides of the war, as well as those who are Gettysburg residents, all intertwine as readers observe the events as they unfold. Bekah, a teenager, helps her mother, who houses and cares for wounded soldiers from both armies, while she worries about her brother, a Union soldier, and her cousin and love interest, who fights for the Confederacy. The point of view switches among these three young people throughout the novel. Actual historical figures also appear in the story, giving it a feeling of realism. This novel does not hide the blood, guts, and heartbreak of war, nor does it underplay the strength of the human will. Rosemary Wells's Red Moon at Sharpsburg (Viking, 2007) similarly showed the realities of the Civil War but with more distinguished writing. Perez's book has a faster pace and centers on a specific battle. It's a good follow-up for those who enjoyed Wells's book.— Sharon Senser McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "The author expertly conveys the flavor of the significant Gettysburg context as well as the issues central to the war itself and opinions held by adherents of both sides." Booklist, ALA About the Author N. A. Perez was born in Haileybury, Ontario, Canada. The idea for The Slopes of War took shape after a family visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Touched by the terrible and significant battle that had been fought there, the author felt that although much had been written about the event itself, little had ever captured what was going on in the hearts and minds of the residents when the war rumbled to their doorsteps in July 1863.