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Bull Run Audiobook
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(3.30) - 20 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Sixteen voices—not the heroes, not those who would become eulogized in history books and synonymous with the glory of war. No, these are the voices of the common soldiers and their leaders, their families, their comrades. North/South, white/black, adult/child—a disparate and compelling choir of voices. Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman has written a tour de force that lends itself perfectly to multivoiced narration. From eager eleven-year-old Toby Boyce to Colonel Oliver Brattle, who has seen it all and knows the true face of war, these many voices are skillfully woven together—creating an intimate tapestry of naïveté, broken dreams, and carnage that transports the listener to the front lines of the Battle of Bull Run. Paul Fleischman makes an appearance as the voice of James Dacy and concludes this unique production with a personal author’s note—allowing us to glimpse into his beginnings as a writer, as well as how Bull Run came to be written.
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"Historical FictionGrades 4-7Themes: Civil War; courage; loyaltyWays to use with children: lit circles; write a biography of one of the 16 characters; discuss what is war? "
— Ray (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Fleischman creates stories of deceptively simple design…that resonate with grace and beauty. His distinctive style has seldom been more effective than in this powerful and poignant account of the first major battle of the Civil War…The novel relies on individual voices to give a human face to history. The result is at once intimate and sweeping, a heartbreaking and remarkably vivid portrait of a war that remains our nation’s bloodiest conflict…This is a tour de force that should not be missed.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Through the alternating viewpoints of sixteen characters from various walks of life, readers gain insight into the first battle of the Civil War and into the nature of war in general. Poignant, dramatic cameos seamlessly woven together make for compelling historical fiction.”
— School Library Journal -
“A superb symphony of twelve voices will both delight and move the listener in this marriage of evocative text and remarkable characterizations…The occasional crack of gunfire or lyric of a Civil War melody dresses up the compelling reading…[A] remarkable book.”
— AudioFile -
“Together the eight fictional accounts from Southerners and the eight from Northerners tell a whole story of pain, loyalty, and disillusionment. This unforgettable lesson encourages youngsters to approach a situation with the knowledge that there are more than two sides to each story; there are as many accounts as there are witnesses. This book will provide insight as well as fine material for student drama.”
— Children’s Literature
Awards
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Winner of the 1993 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
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A School Library Journal Best Book of 1993
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An ALA Notable Book
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A Booklist Editors’ Choice
Bull Run Listener Reviews
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" It was so interesting how in Bull Run you got to view the first battle of the Civil War in sixteen different perspectives. "
— Lena, 3/5/2011 -
" A slim volume narrated by about a dozen different characters from numerous walks of life. They each share their unique perspective of the battle of Bull Run. "
— Dorothy, 3/3/2011 -
" This would be so neat to do as a Readers Theater. If only I had the time and energy to organize it. Maybe when Sam is old enough to study civil war. "
— Sandy, 2/14/2011 -
" This book is about the Civil War and most notably about the Battle at Bull Run. It is told from many different perspectives. <br/> <br/>Moving and Insightful. <br/> "
— Laela, 2/3/2011 -
" The book went by really fast. Each "chapter" was of someone else giving their viewpoint of the battle of Bull Run. It was very confusing, because I couldn't keep straight everyone's stories. "
— Endor, 1/11/2011 -
" Hard to follow as an audio book with 16 characters woven together as short snipets to create a larger narrative. This works multi-character symphonic approach works great in print, but not as an audio book you listen to while doing other routine tasks. The story demands the readers full attention. "
— Adam, 1/4/2011 -
" This book follows sixteen people as they prepare to head to battle during the civil war. This can be used as a class read aloud during social studeis. "
— Sabrina, 11/22/2010 -
" I thought this book was interesting and taught me a lot about the Civil War but was not a page turner for me. "
— Keenan, 9/17/2010 -
" A collection of short stories frm people living in the Civil War times. Characters retell their moments during the Battle of Bull Run in 1861. "
— Nancy, 6/13/2010
About Paul Fleischman
Paul Fleischman has written more than twenty-five books for children and young adults. He received a Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images. His novel Whirligig was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist. His Breakout was a finalist for the National Book Award.