Killer Angels #1

One of the things I really like about the book is how the author takes a considerable amount of time introducing the main characters from both the Union and Rebel sides. There is a different slant in the characters between the 2 books: one factual and one historical fiction. I enjoyed getting to know the characters from both view points.
Another part of the book that I found quite interesting is the knowledge of Lee´s health. A lot is said about his chest pains and how ¨careful he must be to walk carefully¨. BCoF doesn´t ever reference Lee´s health.
I also liked the presence of Fremantle and ¨friends¨. It brings the part about the South trying to influence England to support their military issue by sending English troops..
This is the kind of book that hooks kids into history! This is the kind of book that a teacher needs to internalize to bring the true spirit and purpose of the war directly from its characters to the students. I think I would use this in a part text, part personal narration. Then a discussion to talk about how the students feel about what is taking place; was it right or was it wrong, and might you have done it yourself and why. I can see an activity that would involve art and Civil War symbols on a large sheet of paper folded into 26 squares to represent each letter of the alphabet, or make a paper box illustrated on each of the side portions of the scenes as the students pictured them.