The River Between Us

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Peck, Richard. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. 2003. New York: Dial Books. ISBN: 9780803727359.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In THE RIVER BETWEEN US, Peck begins the novel in 1916 through the eyes of Howard Hutchins, a teenage boy traveling in a model T Ford with his father and two younger brothers. Together, they drive to Grand Tower, Illinois, where Howard meets several relatives for the first time and learns about his grandma Tilly Pruitt’s life during the Civil War. Tilly describes how her life changed forever in 1861 when two mysterious women from New Orleans—Delphine Duval and her companion Calinda—arrived in Grand Tower by steamboat. Tilly had never met a woman more glamorous and flamboyant than Delphine. Even more puzzling was the dark-skinned Calinda, who many speculated was Delphine’s slave. When Tilly’s mother offers to house the two newcomers, scandal erupts among the town folk. As fighting continues to surge between the North and South, Tilly’s twin brother, Noah, runs off to join the Union Army. Tilly and Delphine set off to find him and soon discover the horrors of war. Amid all the chaos, Tilly learns of Delphine’s true identity and an unlikely bond is forged between to the two young women that lasts a lifetime.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award-winning author, Richard Peck, tells a riveting story that incorporates mystery, war, friendship, and love. The story begins in 1916 through the eyes of Howard Hutchins, a fifteen-year-old boy on his way to visit his elderly grandparents, great aunt, and great uncle in Grand Tower, Illinois. Upon his arrival to his relatives’ home, he feels “the weight of its history, and mystery.” Peck switches narrators and the novel then flashes back to 1861, when Howard’s grandmother, Tilly Pruitt, was only a teenager herself. Tilly recounts living in the small settlement of Grand Tower along the Mississippi River and how her life shifted when two newcomers arrived to town.

Through Tilly’s eyes, Peck carefully provides the historical context in which the characters live. The nation was in the midst of the Civil War, Lincoln was president, neighbor was fighting neighbor, and mothers were terrified that their young sons would disappear one day to fight in the war. In addition, Peck depicts the prejudice endured by “people of color” and the means many of mixed heritage took to hide their true identity. While Peck weaves details relevant to this pivotal time in our nation’s history, young readers will be not be overwhelmed with the prose. Peck creates realistic characters with authentic voices of the time. As Tilly describes, “you had to set fire to the woods and sift the ashes to find a Republican around here. But Lincoln was an Illinois man, one of us.”

Peck also takes great care in writing realistic descriptions of the clothing, living conditions, and language of his characters. For example, Peck vividly depicts Tilly’s first impressions of the newcomer Delphine: “heavens, I’d never seen such skirts—rustling taffeta stretched wide over hoops. Her top part was encased in a cut-plush cape, with tassels.” In addition, Delphine’s New Orleans French Creole and haughty dialog is peppered throughout the novel. Peck also reveals the horror of war when Tilly and Delphine set out to find Tilly’s twin brother who is injured and suffering in Camp Defiance in Cairo, Illinois—a hospital tent city in deplorable condition. As Peck writes, “they lay where they’d been sick…In the afternoon light slanting through the canvas, they looked like old men.”

In the author’s note, Peck discusses his comprehensive research while writing the novel. He provides background on Illinois’ role in the Civil War, as well as the history, culture, and attitude toward “people of color” in New Orleans during the nineteenth century and earlier times. Readers will be captivated by the excitement and mystery experienced by the young characters in THE RIVER BETWEEN US and also gain a fascinating perspective of our nation’s history.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist (starred review) (2003): “Peck's spare writing has never been more eloquent than in this powerful mystery in which personal secrets drive the plot and reveal the history…It's a riveting story that shows racism everywhere and young people facing war, not sure what side to be on or why.”

• Horn Book (starred review) (2003): “The harsh realities of war are brutally related in a complex, always surprising plot that resonates on multiple levels.”

• Kirkus Review (starred) (2003): “Peck writes beautifully…deftly handling themes of family, race, war, and history. A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise.”

• School Library Journal (2003): “In this thoroughly researched novel, Peck masterfully describes the female Civil War experience, the subtle and not-too-subtle ways the country was changing, and the split in loyalty that separated towns and even families.”

• Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award, Young People's Literature

• Winner of the 2004 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for readers age 12 and up.

• Readers can learn more about Richard Peck by visiting his Web site at: http://www.richardepeck.com/
  

• There are numerous other historical fiction novels about the American Civil War for older children and young adults. Several examples include:
  -Banks, Sandra. ABRAHAM’S BATTLE: A NOVEL OF GETTYSBURG. 1999. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's. ISBN: 9780689817793.
  -Beatty, Patricia. TURN HOMEWARD, HANNALEE. 1999. New York: HarperCollins Publisher. ISBN: 9780688166762.
  -Brenaman, Miriam. EVVY'S CIVIL WAR. 2004. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780142400395.
  -Clapp, Patricia. THE TAMARACK TREE. 1986. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780688028527.
  -Crane, Stephen. THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE. 1981. New York: Random House Publishing Group. ISBN: 9780553210118.
  -Hahn, Mary Downing. HEAR THE WIND BLOW. 2003. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618181902.
  -Matas, Carol. THE WAR WITHIN: A NOVEL OF THE CIVIL WAR. 2002. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's. ISBN: 9780689843587.
  -Paulson, Gary. A SOLDIER'S HEART: A NOVEL OF THE CIVIL WAR. 2000. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440228387.
  

• Other books for children and young adults by Richard Peck include:
  -Peck Richard. A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO. 2000. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780141303529 (winner of the Newberry Honor).
  -Peck, Richard. ON THE WINGS OF HEROES. 2008. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142412046.
  -Peck, Richard. REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES. 1986. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440973393.
  -Peck, Richard. A SEASON OF GIFTS. 2009. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780803730823.
  -Peck, Richard. SOMETHING FOR JOEY. 1983. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780553271997.
  -Peck, Richard. THE TEACHER’S FUNERAL. 2006. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142405079.
  -Peck, Richard. A YEAR DOWN YONDER. 2002. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142300701 (winner of the Newberry Award)