49 pages • 1 hour read
Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy
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Book Brief
130
Novel • Fiction
American South • 1860s
1988
YA
10-14 years
830L
Super Short Summary
Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit tells the true story of a young woman, Emma Edmonds, who disguises herself as a man to join the Union Army during the US Civil War and undertakes daring espionage missions behind enemy lines. Emma's transformation into the male persona, Franklin Thompson, allows her to gather vital information for the Union before illness forces her to abandon her military career.
Adventurous
Mysterious
Inspirational
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
3,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Seymour Reit's Behind Rebel Lines captivates readers with its true story of Emma Edmonds, a courageous woman who disguises herself as a man to serve as a Union spy in the Civil War. Praised for its engaging narrative and historical accuracy, the book sometimes faces critique for its simplistic writing style. Overall, it's an inspiring tale with educational value.
Who Should Read Behind Rebel Lines?
Middle-grade to young adult readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on courageous youths would appreciate Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit. Fans of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry or Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac will find this tale of a young girl disguising herself to fight in the Civil War equally compelling.
3,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mrs. Butler
Mrs. Butler
The supportive, kindly wife of an army chaplain who becomes a comforting figure to Emma and assists her in her efforts as a spy, providing clothing and props for her disguises.
130
Novel • Fiction
American South • 1860s
1988
YA
10-14 years
830L
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