The River Between Us

Bibliography:
Peck, Richard. 2003. The River Between Us. Dial Books: New York, NY. ISBN 0-8037-2735-6.



Plot Summary:
15-year-old Tilly Pruitt narrates a story during the start of the Civil War in 1861. One day a steamboat arrived in their small town of Grand Tower in southern Illinois. Off of the boat came 2 women from New Orleans; 1 light complexioned and 1 dark complexioned. The two women were sent off by their mother, a black woman married to a white man, in means to give Delphine a normal life as a "white" woman (not connected with a black family). Although questions were raised about these mysterious women, Tilly's mother invites them to stay her in home. Tilly's twin brother Noah falls in love with one of the women, Delphine, before he leaves to fight in the war. Tilly's mother becomes worried and upset and decides to send Tilly and Delphine to retrieve Noah. Upon arrival , they find Noah in a tent hospital, take him home, and are traumatized by the realities of the war. The entering of Delphine and Calinda into the Pruitt's lives, changes them all forever. The opening and closing of the book takes place in 1916 where Noah and Delphine's grandson learns about and narrates these events during the War. We also learn what has happened to these characters discussed in the story.



Critical Analysis:
The characters in this story are sensitive and although a bit strange, they are still believable to the reader. At the same time, the characters within the book are true to their time with their clothing style (bonnets, caps, hoop skirts, cloaks, petticoats, etcetera) among other material items used during those times. Being from Illinois, their dialect is much like today's, although the author did add in some vocabulary that people back then would have used such as, "skedattle" or "yonder".

The plot and setting is realistic to the time period, as the Civil War was a known event during this time. Illinois was a border state and the home state of President Lincoln. Grand Tower's location being near the slave states (Missouri is just across the river) meant that
feelings over slavery and secession were divided, which was accurately displayed in the book by some boys wanting to join The Confederacy and the other half The Union Army.

The theme in this book is timeless: loss, sacrifice, and new beginnings. These are all things in which people can relate to at some point within their lives.

Excerpt Reviews:
Kirkus Starred Review: "A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise."

The Horn Book Starred Review: "The harsh realities of war are brutally related in a complex, always surprising plot that resonates on multiple levels. "
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review: "Peck reaches new depth with this Civil War-era novel. "



Connections:
*This book can be used to teach a lesson on the Civil War.
*This book can serve as insight to the culture and time period of the 1860's-1920's.
*This book can be used to provide insight on the impact the Civil War had on people, especially women.