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49 pages 1 hour read

Seymour Reit

Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1988

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Book Details
Pages

130

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

American South • 1860s

Publication Year

1988

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

830L

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