Bull Run, Paul Fleischman
Bull Run, Paul Fleischman
List: $14.95 | Sale: $10.47
Club: $7.47

Bull Run

Author: Paul Fleischman

Narrator: various narrators

Unabridged: 1 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/01/2011

Synopsis

Sixteen voices—not the heroes, not those who would become eulogized in history books and synonymous with the glory of war. No, these are the voices of the common soldiers and their leaders, their families, their comrades. North/South, white/black, adult/child—a disparate and compelling choir of voices. Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman has written a tour de force that lends itself perfectly to multivoiced narration. From eager eleven-year-old Toby Boyce to Colonel Oliver Brattle, who has seen it all and knows the true face of war, these many voices are skillfully woven together—creating an intimate tapestry of naïveté, broken dreams, and carnage that transports the listener to the front lines of the Battle of Bull Run. Paul Fleischman makes an appearance as the voice of James Dacy and concludes this unique production with a personal author’s note—allowing us to glimpse into his beginnings as a writer, as well as how Bull Run came to be written.

About Paul Fleischman

Paul Fleischman has written over 25 books for children and young adults. He received a Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images. His most recent novel, Whirligig, was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist. He lives in Monterey, California.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jamey on May 25, 2017

This was a good book, but I didn't like how are the characters where scramble together. In the back of the book, in the notes section, it gives the list of names of each character and it gives what pages they are on. This was a nonfiction book. It had a lot happen in this book even though it was sma......more

Goodreads review by Gordon on June 12, 2009

After reading this book, and Seedfolks, I find myself really enjoying stories told from multiple perspectives. I think this will be a useful book for my Humanities unit.......more

Goodreads review by Nelda on October 04, 2024

I really liked this book. It's written at a reading level for upper elementary students, but I think anyone would find it interesting. What it's NOT is some type of novel telling the intense story of a single person during the Battle of Bull Run. What it's NOT is an in-depth explanation of the Civil......more

Goodreads review by Allie on April 04, 2020

Not sure how young adult this is. 8th grade maybe high school. It is well written and shows the horrors of war......more

Goodreads review by Bo on January 24, 2025

Interesting method of relating the account of the battle of Bull Run - with various short accounts from a variety of perspectives. Many of the individuals have multiple "speeches." The book could also be used to do a "readers' theater." From my limited knowledge, I believe the book to be historicall......more

Quotes

“Fleischman creates stories of deceptively simple design…that resonate with grace and beauty. His distinctive style has seldom been more effective than in this powerful and poignant account of the first major battle of the Civil War…The novel relies on individual voices to give a human face to history. The result is at once intimate and sweeping, a heartbreaking and remarkably vivid portrait of a war that remains our nation’s bloodiest conflict…This is a tour de force that should not be missed.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Through the alternating viewpoints of sixteen characters from various walks of life, readers gain insight into the first battle of the Civil War and into the nature of war in general. Poignant, dramatic cameos seamlessly woven together make for compelling historical fiction.” School Library Journal

“A superb symphony of twelve voices will both delight and move the listener in this marriage of evocative text and remarkable characterizations…The occasional crack of gunfire or lyric of a Civil War melody dresses up the compelling reading…[A] remarkable book.” AudioFile

“Together the eight fictional accounts from Southerners and the eight from Northerners tell a whole story of pain, loyalty, and disillusionment. This unforgettable lesson encourages youngsters to approach a situation with the knowledge that there are more than two sides to each story; there are as many accounts as there are witnesses. This book will provide insight as well as fine material for student drama.” Children’s Literature

Awards

  • Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
  • School Library Journal Best Book
  • ALA Notable Book
  • Booklist Editors’ Choice
Add to Cart
Add to Wish List