Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women Hardcover – March 5, 2013

This book tells about a brief period of time in Louisa May Alcott's life when she served as a Civil War nurse and how it led to her becoming a successful writer. On the surface this may sound like something that would bore a child but my children LOVE this book! My 5 year old and my 8 year old have gained a deeper understanding of the Civil War (and can even tell you the dates) as well as how women were viewed during that time through the way her experiences are written about and illustrated in this book. Not only that, but they have a desire to read Little Women now that they feel intimately acquainted with the author. This is one of many wonderful newer books that help history come alive for young children (and the grownups who have the privilege of reading to them). This is a great "living book" to read if you follow the Charlotte Mason philosophy of educating your children.

My daughter and I both love this book. My daughter is especially interested in history and women that have been pioneers for other women. This book shows a new side of Louisa May Alcott, where she is a civil rights and women's rights pioneer.

This book is part of a reading g program in Indiana called the "young hoosier book awards". Kids must read at leaset 5 of them and they get to vote for their favorite book.

It is very juvenile and below level I was looking for.

Louisa May Alcott is famous around the world as the author of Little Women, one of the most beloved works of literature for children, but what is less known is that she may never have had a career as a writer at all if not for her valiant service as a nurse during the Civil War.It is this lesser-known part of Alcott's life that award-winning author Kathleen Krull concentrates on in her handsome new picture book about the iconic author, Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women (Walker Books, 2013).Alcott came from a family of dedicated abolitionists, and longed to help the union effort in some concrete way. Of course educated women from "good families" rarely worked outside the home in those days, but the Civil War gave some women the opportunity to work as nurses, provided they met the requirements: at least thirty years old, "very plain," single, strong, and with two character references. Alcott was able to meet all these standards, and soon was on a 500 mile long trip to Washington D. C., where she was assigned to work at a hospital--in reality an old hotel. Her duties included shocking activities like undressing and bathing the men, bandaging wounds, and most importantly, keeping up the men's spirits.Krull describes how Louisa, after just a few weeks of nursing, became desperately ill with typhoid fever, and had to be taken home to recuperate. While she did not return to nursing, she did return to her writing, which up until that time had been published but did not enjoy much success.Krull's lively text is liberally sprinkled with quotes from Alcott's colorful and detailed letters home to her family. These letters were published at the time in an abolitionist newspaper, and later as a book, Hospital Sketches. This slim volume was her first to be published to critical acclaim. As Krull points out, the book was Alcott's first to be published out of her own experience, and the success led directly to her being asked to write a "girls' book." This, of course, proved to be Little Women, which was based on her own family and which she set during the Civil War, one of the first novels to be set during the turbulent period which forever changed the United States. The book became a huge hit, and led to a lucrative writing career for Alcott.Back matter includes a brief commentary on the early history of women in medicine, a map detailing the Battle of Fredericksburg and a brief description of this "nightmarish" battle, and a list of sources. Among the sources listed are websites, children's books by Louisa May Alcott, and books about Alcott, including those for young people and for adults.Readers will enjoy the old-fashioned look of this large picture book, which is printed on ivory-colored antique style paper. The illustrations by Carolyn Beccia, created with Corel Painter digital oils on gessoed canvas, also provide an old-fashioned feel. Her paintings have a realistic yet statuesque quality, and are infused with earth tones that suggest the sepia photographs of the Civil War era. In many of the illustrations, Louisa wears a red shawl that perhaps suggests the great bloodshed of the war and often provides the only spark of bright color. Above, in one of the most striking illustrations, Louisa is in the process of writing Little Women, and imagines all the events of her life as a patchwork quilt.I would highly recommend this new book to introduce young readers to Louisa May Alcott, either before or after reading one of her classics. It's an inspiring look at a brave and talented woman, one who introduced strong female characters in her classic stories. Of course, the book would also enhance a unit on women's history or the Civil War.

I was a young teen when I first read Louisa May Alcott's  Little Women (Signet Classics) , a story that I consider one of my favorites till today. I was captivated by the story of four sisters in Civil War era America, and could especially relate to strong-willed, fiery and fiercely independent Jo March. There is so much in Little Women that is good for children, especially young girls, with its affirmations of family, friendship, loyalty, perseverance, and tenacity.When I saw this picture book in our public library, I was eager to share it with my eight-year-old daughter, who happens to love writing short stories. It proved to be a most engaging and interesting read for both of us. I had not realized that Louisa had served as a nurse at a Washington hospital, nursing wounded Union soldiers, during the Civil War. Frustrated at not being able to fight for the Union given her gender, Louisa decided she would serve, as a nurse, during a time when women who worked outside their homes were frowned upon. However, these were desperate times, and it called for more women to serve as nurses.Packing her bags, with her family's blessings, Louisa makes the 500 mile journey from Concord to Washington, and finally arrives at the Union Hotel, her hospital. She is horrified by the conditions at the makeshift hospital, with rats scuttling around, and is even more unprepared for the masses of wounded soldiers that arrive everyday. The horror of war is painfully evident to Louisa, but she pulls herself together, and "doused herself with lavender water to distract her nose, rolled up her sleeves, and grabbed sponges and a bar of brown soap."Though her stint as a Civil War nurse was brought to an abrupt halt after she contracted typhoid fever, Louisa's indomitable will to contribute never wavered. Despite her ill health (her recovery took months), and losing her beautiful, long brown hair, she donned her wig, and continued writing, knowing it was important not only as a means to support her family, but also because it was what she knew best, whatever the opinions of some editors.The story ends on a happy, positive note, and will have readers young and old cheering for this strong, resilient woman who, through her wonderful, heartwarming stories, has brought so much joy over the decades to readers of all ages. The illustrations are breathtaking in the intensity of colors used and the text perfectly captures the unwavering spirit of Louis May Alcott.There's also some additional resources listed at the end of the book, detailing other women in medicine, recommended books for young readers, websites, and a list of children's books by Ms. Alcott. Here are some recommendations of other interesting picture book biographies featuring inspiring women: Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell (Christy Ottaviano Books) Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer Mary Walker Wears the Pants: The True Story of the Doctor, Reformer, and Civil War Hero

Beautifully designed and illustrated, Kathleen Krull presents a fleshed-out Louisa May Alcott, overcoming her fears at being so far away from home to serve as a Civil War nurse. Quoting Louisa's journals and using her first success, Hospital Sketches as the guide, Krull presents a logical course for the creation of Little Women. Highly recommended.