The River Between Us

An eye-opening story of the people during the Civil War, with two very different parts of the country represented. One is rural Illinois where most of the people favored the north, and the other is the free blacks from New Orleans, who had held a respected position in the city -- but who could no

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longer continue their way of life if the north won. The characters are as strange to one another as if they were from different worlds. Young teens will be amazed by how difficult things were back then that are so simple now, and will also learn about white men who had more than one family in New Orleans, one with a white wife and another with a black mistress. Racial tensions and beliefs will open eyes.

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Howard Hutchings hops into his father’s model T and travels back in time to the Civil War to discover his family history. “Even at the age of fifteen I knew but little about who he [his father] was and where he’d come from. And so I knew but little about myself.” (pp. 6). When Howard and

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his dad arrive in Grand Tower, Illinois and meet the Pruitts, the Novel shifts narrators from Howard to 15-year-old Tilly Pruit, his grandmother. One day a steamboat whistles into town and Delphine and Calinda stroll into town spending money the Pruitt family only dream of earning. Who are these mysterious women? Is Calinda Delphine’s slave? When the Pruitt family takes them in, Civil War is dividing the town. Delphine and Calinda become the focal point of the community. As their background slowly ebbs to the surface, they become embroiled in a fractious debate, the same debate that often frames the Civil War. Peck’s take on the Civil War, with its close look at the effect it had on women, will make this book useful in history classes that study this period.

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The book was an easy read. I feel like I did not understand some of it because I do not know enough about the Civil War. It made me want to find other books on the subject that could give me more information.
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This is a very good YA novel.

The plot twists are of the sort that tend to be surprising to white people of all ages and less so to black people or other ethnic groups.

During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois.

“The River Between Us,” by Richard Peck is a historical novel set during the Civil War. It focuses on the relationship between a young teenage girl, her family, and two remarkable strangers who visit their small town.

“The River Between Us” is a historical novel set in a small town located in southern Illinois. Fifteen year old Howard Leland Hutchings begins the story describing his father, a doctor in St. Louis, and the model T Ford in which they are about to make a trip. Howard, his five year old twin

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brothers, and his father are going to visit his father’s parents and aunt and uncle in a little town called Grand Tower. When they arrive at the “home place” they are greeted by his elderly grandmother, Tilly, and his grandfather on the porch. A third elderly, one armed gentleman is working in the garden and his wife is confined to bed in an upstairs bedroom. Howard notices the paper was loose and peeling on the walls. He wondered if “these old people were ever young” and “how quiet you would have to be to hear the voices of those times” in the old house. The story suddenly fades many years into the past and we hear the rest of the story from a fifteen year old Tilly. Tilly gives an account of what Grand Tower was like in the few weeks prior to Illinois becoming a part of the Civil War. As the war comes to them by way of the river so do two mysterious and captivating travelers. The two travelers take a room in Tilly’s home. These strangers become an important part of Tilly’s and her brother’s survival of a war that changes all their lives forever.

This story has a way of telling about the effects of the Civil War on the people that is not the typical Civil War tale. The story of the culture of a small Illinois town and its people during the mid 1800’s and how the war changed them is told from the perspective of a young girl who had no experience of any thing outside her little settlement. The author gives a fascinating description of the origin and the customs of the free women of color in New Orleans. Her notes indicated many of these customs vanished after the war as well as many of these beautiful people. The author’s use of actual events during the Civil War period was so well woven into the story I felt the story was a historical biography and not historical fiction. The book includes graphic descriptions of the “regimental hospitals” where the wounded soldiers were left to either die or, if strong enough, survive not only their illness but the horrendous conditions. I could feel the heartache at looking at the once proud boy, who left home anxious to be a soldier, and who now lay wasting away in his own filth and too weak to care. I felt this book was well written and enjoyed the view from a different perspective as well as the history of a culture that has been lost.

In the classroom a teacher could use the book to support information on the history of the different people during the Civil War time. The children could discuss the difference in how they fix their meals, how their houses have indoor plumbing, and how they are entertained at theatres in contrast to the life style during the time period of the book. The teacher could use the book to support a lesson on the origin of many of the old folk songs. The children could be taught a song from the time period of the book and then asked to tell what they think the song meant during the Civil War period.

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Great book about the Civil War and the private war many people faced during this time.

The story kept getting better and better as the book went on...

The book takes place during the early days of the Civil War, out in the west (Southern Illinois) in a small no middle of no where town up along the Mississippi River.
The characters- The Pruitt's a poor family (Mother, Cass the young

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daughter, Noah and TIlly a set of twins...and the father who has not been around for years does make a surprise appearance in the end in a coffin)...and two woman who show up mysteriously from down the river on a boat (Delphine and Calinda)

The beginning of the book deals mostly with the characters...they all are mysterious and special in unique ways, I am glad the author spent time building up the characters, I soon became protective of them and was left wondering what would happen to them, I actually cared about the characters...Cass has visions of horrible things in the river, the mother a bit crazy, Noah a young boy sixteen heading off to war still a boy but to be changed forever, Delphine brings a class of wealth and society, Calinda a mysterious woman with cooking and cards...

Due to the era of the book, the book does deal with racial issues, bi-racial relationships, class structure, society's views and opinions on race, slavery, etc...

Four Stars-
The book is very informative and detailed, the book does an excellent job in describing the way of life in the 1860's. It brings to life the horror of war, boys going off to war to be killed, disease in the war camps, soldiers with missing limbs, the fighting between families father vs son on the battlefield...
Yes, the book is heavy on the romance aspect but the story is very emotional, their is pain and sorrow as well, not just a love story. There are a lot of interesting facts regarding the Civil War.
The author does a great job in not telling you too much about the characters...through out the story you learn more and more of the characters...this was my favorite part, I was really surprised at the outcome of this book.

This book is a middle school level...boys would enjoy this book for the fighting aspect (it takes a while for the book to dive into war) and the girls would enjoy this book for the romanticism. Anyone who is interested in the Civil War would enjoy this easy read and entertaining story.

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Richard Peck writes about Tilly Peck and her family in Grand Tower, Illinois along a settlement town along the Mississippi River, set in 1861 just before the Civil War begins. The story opens with Howard Leland Hutchings telling of the road trip he, his dad, Dr. William Hutchings, and his two

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younger brothers, Raymond and Earl make from St. Louis to Grand Tower. Grand Tower is Dr. Hutchings home town and he is returning to visit his mother Tilly and father, the first Dr. William Hutchings and his Uncle Noah and Aunt Delphine, who all live at the "old home place" together. It is during this visit that Howard learns about the family history its involvement in the Civil War, and is told a family secret.
Though Peck begins the story in first person with Howard as narrator, parts of the book are told by an unknown narrator or the reader must assume that Howard is telling the story as it was told to him by his grandmother Tilly. Peck has a way of hooking the reader through his characters, especially his female characters, you want to read to see what they will do next. The theme of this book could be that we are bound by family ties and it is through love and sacrifice that enables families to survive.
The River Between Us was a National Book Award nominee in 2003.

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Plot Summary : The story takes place in a small Illinois town, Grand Tower. It begins in 1916 with a young boy taking a trip with his father and twin brothers in a Model T Ford. Young Howard finally gets to meet his father’s family. The story unfolds as Howard wonders what their lives were like

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during his father’s childhood. The novel then backtracks to 1861 and describes his father’s childhood. The novel ends with a return to the events of 1916. Readers will encounter many of the main characters of the story in their latter years as secrets about the Pruitt family are revealed that will startle readers leaving them wanting to know more about the lives of Tilly, Noah, Delphine, and Calinda.

Critique: Peck tells an emotional story about a small Illinois town and its people during the Civil War. Its seems that it is historically accurate of events and locations. The various settings in the novel are real places that Peck researched. I enjoyed reading this novel and felt like I was part of this period.

Curriculum Uses:
You could have these assignments:
1.Draw a map of the Miss. River from New Orleans to St. Louis.
2.Find other important dates of history. Look up using various references.

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The year is 1861, and the New Orlean Pruitts are fascinated by the American Civil War. In 1916, Tilly Pruitt's grandson is traveling with his father to a family reunion, and tells the reader about what the Pruitts experienced in the north and south -- how similarly rural communities can be alien to

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each other based on treatment of races, and how war's realities are harder to bear than simple drill practices.

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The civil war is happening all around Tilly and her family in Illinois. Her mother has offered two African American women from the South a place to stay. What will the town think of her and her family? Will the war affect her life in Illinois?

The story is through the eyes of females for a change when speaking about a subject that is usually only through the eyes of males. Young women will definitely enjoy this book of mystery and love. Finding Noah not hurt and then he is taken home right away because he is hurt seems a little too tidy.

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I do not think many women were probably allowed just to hang around. Maybe they are helping out in the ward of the sick but the talk about how Delphine is carrying all her things is kind of humorous. The story was very fast paced and was hard to put down. The subjects and genres that take place in this story are an enormous amount. Presenting all the different cultures is wonderful for young readers. The ethnic and cultural backgrounds of all the different characters gives experience to all the young readers who read this neat little novel.

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This is a YA book that really speaks to the youth about the reality of war. Noah and his friends practice soldiering to prepare for the War between the States while some families are divided over loyalties to the North or the South. The events in the book are factual and told from the perspective

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of a young adult which makes it appealing to students. The characters is this book are very real and deal with issues that are universal no matter what the time. Tilly is shocked to learn about the “Quadroon” society from which Delphine and Calinda hail. This book gives a great history lesson on the “Free People of Color” which is glossed over by many textbooks these days.

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Excellent historical fiction. well researched. appealing to adult readers as well as YA readers.

Plot Summary: The River Between Us begins in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. William Hutchings and his three sons are going on a trip in a Model T car to visit family in Grand Tower, Illinois. Fifteen year old, Howard Leland Hutchings is telling the story. On the way, his father describes his hometown. He

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tells them a story about a ghost that has been seen crossing the road on dark nights. When they arrive at the old home place, they are greeted by the first Dr. William Hutchings, his grandfather, Grandma Tilly, Great-uncle Noah, and Great-aunt Delphine. There is a flashback to 1861 when Grandma Tilly begins telling Howard the family history. As the Civil War was approaching Grandma Tilly’s mother was trying to survive without a husband. Cass was very sickly because she saw visions of dreadful incidents from the past and in the future. One d ay when a seam boat arrived with Delphine and Calinda from New Orleans, their lives were changed forever. Delphine, with her fancy ways, helped this family to learn to stand up for themselves. Calinda, who was believed to be a servant, read cards in the same way that Cass saw visions. The townspeople did not trust the new mysterious ladies. Grandma Tilly’s mother stood by her decision to allow them to board at her house. The harsh realities of the Civil War are described as Dr. William Hutchings and Grandma Tilly and Noah and Delphine fall in love. Dr. Hutchings and Noah join the war for the North. Grandma Tilly and Delphine nurse the wounded, including Noah. Back in Grand Towers, Grandma Tilly’s mother walks into the river when she thinks Noah is dead. The novel ends in 1916 when Grandma Tilly explains the ending of the family story. On their way home, Howard’s father tells him about his parents. He also explains that he will be going to war. His son understands his decision just as he understood the “ghost woman with flying gray hair who darted across the road and into the Mississippi”.

Readers will enjoy The River Between Us. The plot is strong, interesting, and believable. The story takes place in 1916 when Tilly begins telling her family history from 1861. The setting and time periods are described through the actions of the characters. The steamboats and the trains as well as the descriptions of the characters’ clothes and activities allow the reader to understand life in 1861. The story is built around life during the Civil War. The harsh realities of war and its effect on families in this novel are convincing to the reader. The actions of the characters are very realistic. Customs from New Orleans are described through Delphine’s and Calinda’s characters. For example, the issue of race and laws preventing interracial marriages are discussed. Cass’ visions and Calinda’s card reading add to the mystery of the novel. The characters come from a variety of backgrounds and family structures.
The story begins and ends in 1916, with the fifteen year old grandson, Howard, as the narrator. The main story is told by Grandma Tilly as she tells him the family story that goes back to 1861.Conversation is also used to understand the characters. In describing Delphine, Grandma Tilly’s mother told Tilly, “She put some starch in my spine.” In addition changes were seen in Tilly and Cass after the arrival of the mysterious ladies. The reader also noticed a change in Noah and Dr. Hutchings after the Civil War. The dialogue was suited to the time period. Words like et and seegars were used. Delphine, who was from New Orleans, used French terms. The mystery was not solved until the end of the novel. Townspeople thought that Delphine and Calinda were spies. The ghost story was presented at the beginning of the book. However, it was not until the end of the novel before everything came together. The point of view allowed a young person to understand family, customs, and the effects and harsh conditions of the Civil War. The split between the North and the South and the turmoil that families faced are evident in this novel. A surprise ending of Howard finding information about his real grandparents helped the reader understand the serious laws of the time. A River Between Us is a great story woven around the events of the Civil War.

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its about a family from Grand Tower, Illinois. Howard learns the history about his family when they were in the Civil War. Mrs. Pruitt, lives with her three kids Noah and Tilliy are twins they are 15 years old and there little sister Cass. Cass has vesions about mens deaing. Noah mom dosent what

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Noah to go to war she is worred that he will die. A boat coames from New Orleans to Tower there comes a young beautiful women
comes with a companer is black people think that she is her slave . what are there secrets what are they hading? will Noah go to war ? who are does women?

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An interesting look at the Civil War era in Illinois, Richard Peck transports readers back in time. Like his other books for middle school students, this piece of historical fiction is easy and interesting to read.

4Q, 4P (my VOYA codes). I gave this book a 4 in quality as I feel that the quickly-switching narrators really jarred the readers of the novel and detracted from the historically accurate story the book was trying to tell. I feel that a 4 in popularity is appropriate as many readers will love this

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book - even those that feel they don't like historical fiction or writings about wars.

I thought this book was a really great, historical read that showed a lot of the horrors of the war in addition to friendship and love with a little mystical aspects to it. I think this book is a great read for teens and although it has a little of everything in it (romance, intrigue, friendship, mysticism, love and loss), it also shows the war clearly without putting too much emphasis on any one aspect of that time.

A great novel with suspense and intrigue and masterfully-woven characters that will win over even the toughest critics of war-time novels.

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I avoid historical fiction like the plague, but I must admit that I loved this book. I listened to it as an audiobook which really added an extra dimension to the work, particularly when one of the character's lapses into French. I enjoyed the authentic feel of being transported to the beginning of

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the Civil War, to a town just along the Mississippi. The setting, dialect, and bit of mysticism truly made the story seem three dimensional. Although set in the Civil War, the story focuses more on the relationship of the main protagonist and her family. I loved the pacing of the story, the heart wrenching tragedy and surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing and at one point even shocked.

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I love Peck, who has written some fabulous books. Here's another. This one is an exploration of some of the people involved in the Civil War along the banks of the Mississippi in Illinois. The character development is pretty extraordinary. I learned a lot from this book, and won't say more for fear

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of giving something away.

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4Q, 3P. While I enjoy historical fiction I'm not usually interested in the Civil War era, however I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by Peck's work. Slow at first the book eventually sucks you in to the story. The slow start may be a difficult selling point for YA readers. Once to the meat of

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the story it's very interesting about how one person's actions can affect other's lives.

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I found this book to be interesting and engaging from the vary beginning. The River Between Us is a staple among those readers interested in historical fiction, particularly during the Civil War time period. Except for a random switch of narrators without warning, this book is an easy read that

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does not overwhelm the reader with archaic language or super in-depth descriptions.

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