A Brother's War Tom Rigby didn't think that anything could ever come between him and his twin, Jack. But things begin to change when Tom learns that they are not allowed to play with their friend Aaron anymore because he's a slave. Tom is upset, but Jack doesn't seem to care. All Jack cares about is playing soldier. Eleven years later, when war breaks out, Jack joins the Confederation army. But Tom can't bring himself to fight for a cause he doesn't believe in -- slavery. So Tom rides north to join the Union army -- even though he knows he may one day have to face his brother on the battlefield.

Reprint. Originally published: New York: Columbia University Press, 1960.

A comprehensive and historically significant song collection, this massive volume captures the hopes and tragedy of the Civil War era. Songs are grouped into the following categories: The Union, The Confederacy, Lincoln, Universal Sentiments, Soldiers Songs, Battles, Negro Spirituals & Abolitionist Songs, The Lighter Side, and Post Bellum. A special feature of this text is the inclusion of authentic formal and informal portraits, plus depicting military encampment of the aftermath of the battle. Arranged for voice with piano accompaniment and guitar chords.

A superb selection of poems from both sides of the American Civil War features more than 75 inspired works by Melville, Emerson, Longfellow, Whittier, Whitman, and many others.

The Education Place, a service of the Houghton Mifflin Co., presents a TeacherView, prepared by Jo Hubbard and based on "A Ballad of the Civil War," by American author Mary Stolz (1920- ). Hubbard reviews the book and suggests reading extension activities appropriate for use with elementary classes.