'Soldier's Heart' by Gary Paulsen is a historical fiction novel set during the Civil War, focusing on the experiences of a young soldier named Charley Goddard. Charley, who is underage, lies to join the army and goes through various battles and hardships during the war. The book provides a vivid and sometimes graphic portrayal of the realities of war, including the brutality and challenges faced by soldiers during that time period.

The story is narrated in a straightforward and descriptive manner, detailing Charley's journey through the war, his struggles, and the impact of his experiences. The book also explores themes such as the disillusionment of war, the trauma faced by young soldiers, and the harsh conditions of camp life during the Civil War.

Characters:

Characters are primarily focused on Charley Goddard, who evolves from an eager youth to a traumatized veteran, with limited supporting characters due to high casualty rates.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines vivid, graphic descriptions with an engaging narrative that immerses readers in the violent reality of wartime.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a young boy's journey into the brutal realities of Civil War battles, emphasizing his transformation and the harsh impacts of war.

Setting:

The setting is grounded in the Civil War era, with distinct locations that enhance the historical context of Charley's journey.

Pacing:

The pacing is rapid and relentless, filled with action and emotional highs and lows, although some readers desire more depth.

They didn’t have uniforms for him. There was a pair of black pants that were so short his calves showed, a pair of gray socks and a black felt hat. That was the uniform he received to go for a soldier...

Notes:

The main character, Charley Goddard, is only 15 years old when he enlists in the Civil War.

Charley lies about his age to join the First Minnesota Volunteers.

The story includes real historical battles like Bull Run and Gettysburg.

Charley experiences the gruesome realities of war, including witnessing death and injury.

The title 'Soldier's Heart' refers to the psychological trauma experienced by soldiers, known today as PTSD.

The author, Gary Paulsen, conducted eight years of research before writing the book.

The book is set in Minnesota during the lead-up to the Civil War in 1861.

Charley's journey highlights not just physical battles, but also emotional struggles after returning home.

The story shows the significant impact of war on the lives of young soldiers.

The narrative is in first-person from Charley’s perspective, allowing readers to experience his thoughts and feelings directly.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic depictions of war violence, death, trauma, and the psychological impacts of battle.

From The Publisher:

In June 1861, when the Civil War began, Charley Goddard enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteers. He was 15. He didn't know what a "shooting war" meant or what he was fighting for. But he didn't want to miss out on a great adventure.

The "shooting war" turned out to be the horror of combat and the wild luck of survival; how it feels to cross a field toward the enemy, waiting for fire. When he entered the service he was a boy. When he came back he was different; he was only 19, but he was a man with "soldier's heart," later known as "battle fatigue."

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About the Author:

Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult…

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Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers

Gary Paulsen