The River Between Us by Richard Peck

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York, NY: Dial Books. ISBN 0-80372735-6
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The River Between Us by Richard Peck is a fascinating and well-written historical drama that spans decades. In the beginning of this book the year is 1916 and a war is raging in Europe that threatens to engulf the world. Under these circumstances, we meet a young man named Howard Leland Hutchings who is the son of a hardworking doctor. His father decides to take him and his brothers to meet his family in Grand Tower, a small town on the Mississippi. Through young Howard’s eyes, we catch a glimpse of the four colorful characters who are his father’s “folks.” Soon after, readers find themselves transported back to the first days of the Civil War. We meet the “folks” when they were young and experience the uncertainty and then the horror of the Civil War through their eyes. We also learn about a little known social class in our country’s history, the” free people of color”.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This young adult historical fiction is so intricately woven that one has difficulty remembering it is not a book written for adults. The main characters are rich and an air of mystery permeates this book. We know very quickly that things are not what they seem and the twist at the end is both expected, but ironically still surprising. In this book, the role of the main character is never firmly established. Although we experience the bulk of the book through the eyes of Tilly, a girl emerging into young womanhood, our fascination is with Delphine. Delphine is a flamboyant, mysterious, and sophisticated young woman who arrives in Grand Tower on a steam boat having fled from New Orleans. She is supposedly on her way to see an aunt and with her is a mysterious servant/slave, Calinda. However, it becomes obvious that their relationship is not all that it seems when Delphine and Calinda end up rooming with Tilly’s family. Delphine and Calinda share their unique and flavorful Creole culture with Tilly and her family, but seem to be less than forthcoming about their past. From the time we “meet” Delphine and Calinda, like Tilly, we are constantly trying to make sense of who they are. We long to catch a glimpse of those two over Tilly’s shoulder because they are so different, and so intriguing.
Tilly’s own family is unusual. She has a young sister who has the second sight. Her twin brother is a young man who is torn by his duty toward his family and to a nation that is at war. Readers are left trying to figure out the mystery of the absent father. Tilly’s mother is a careworn woman who is stretched to the breaking point by the strain of her situation as a single mother and abandoned wife in a time when society was very judgmental about such things. Peck does an impeccable job presenting a snapshot of life in the 1860’s during the Civil War in a small town.
A master storyteller, Peck has written a story that is multi-layered, complex, and historically accurate. It seems significant that this journey into the past takes place in 1916, just prior to the next horrendous war to be faced by this nation’s youth. Although we only spend but a short time with Howard Leland Hutchings, the connection between the historical periods is undeniable. The young characters motivate young readers to wonder how they would have responded to the challenges presented by some of the most difficult times in American history. Young and old readers will experience the Civil War in a new and fascinating way and will learn of a resilient people called, “the free people of color.”
4. AWARDS AND EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal: “ 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.”
Booklist: “It's a riveting story that shows racism everywhere and young people facing war, not sure what side to be on or why.”
Kirkus Review: *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.
5. CONNECTIONS – If you enjoyed this Civil War historical fiction, you are likely to also enjoy:
Paulsen, Gary. SOLDIER’S HEART: BEING THE STORY OF THE ENLISTMENT AND DURE SERVICE OF THE BOY CHARLEY GODDARD IN THE FIRST MINNESOTA. ISBN- 10: 0385324987
Rinaldi, Ann. IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE. ISBN-10: 0590447319
Rinaldi, Ann. THE LAST SILK DRESS. ISBN-10: 0440228611