I have always loved the work of Ann Rinaldi. Her ability to bring her characters alive while taking the reader on the journey back in time. I was first introduced to her work when my daughter had to read several historical fiction books for her History class. She didn’t seem to like what I had on my shelves so I went to her History teacher. She recommended I get her some books by Ann Rinaldi. She said she had never met anyone who didn’t like to read work by this author. She was correct. This was the turning point in my daughter’s reading life. I, the reading teacher had not been able to get her to crack a book for pleasure and yet this teacher had hit on the one author who would do that.

In Numbering All the Bones we meet Eulinda, a house slave. She was much more than that. Her master was also her father. We start off reading about the accusation of a theft by the master’s first wife to get back at Eulinda for being her husband’s daughter. This resulted in the mistress selling off Eulinda’s youngest brother, who had found the ring. To pay her back, her older brother actually steals the ring for future use. When the mistress dies, the master remarries. His new wife seems to treat Eulinda like an actual member of the family, that is when it is convenient for her in the presence of her husband. As the Civil War Winds down changes take place in the master’s house. With a prison down the road from their plantation, the mistress has found a way to make money off of the situation. At the end of the war a confederate soldier has come to make things right in the abandoned prison. It is learned that 13,000 soldiers, both black and white died there, including Eulinda’s brother. When she finds him she finds the ring and goes about trying to set things right. This is done with the help of Clara Barton.

I felt so sorry for Eulinda being in a situation where she felt she didn’t fit into either world. Although she was a fictional character, most of the other characters were not. I am sure there were many people like Eulinda during this time who took a stand for what was right. This is probably one of the best Civil War book I have read in a long time and one I will proudly recommend to my students. I gave this a rating of 5 out of 5 ( )

This unique novel set in Andersonville, Georgia, at the end of the Civil War is based on true events. The life of thirteen-year-old slave girl Eulinda is intertwined with the horror of the prison camp in which 13,000 Union soldiers died in 1864 and 1865. Daughter of a plantation owner and a slave, Eulinda has always been considered part of her father's family, although he has never granted her freedom. Educated and living in his home, she is torn and confused about her place in society. The slaves do not trust her, and the relationship with her father and his harsh wife is tenuous. One of her brothers has been sold, and the other has joined the Union war effort. Challenged to decide her fate, she participates in some dangerous acts before leaving the comfort and protection of the plantation to assist Clara Barton and federal officials with the identification, burial, and family notification of the prison camp dead. Characterization is one-dimensional and somewhat stereotypical, although Eulinda is a likeable narrator. Her realistically portrayed voice, personal sacrifice, courage, and uncertainty will appeal to teens. Some readers might feel that her fate is too easily resolved. Themes of justice, prejudice, and freedom are evident but do not overwhelm the narrative. The gruesome details of Andersonville have been well researched and will enrich the reader's knowledge of a largely undocumented facet of the Civil War. In addition to appealing to Rinaldi's loyal base of readers and Civil War buffs, the novel would be a fine choice for historical or multicultural assignments. Pair it with Red Cap by G. Clifton Wilser (Lodestar, 1991/VOYA October 1991). VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2002, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 170p, $15.95. Ages 11 to 14.(Eileen Kuhl. VOYA. August 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 3)) Won The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 1, 2002; Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2003.

The Civil War is coming to an end and the slaves are realizing that they are free. Eulinda is a slave but the daughter of the plantation owner. She becomes involved in helping to clean up the notorious southern prison, Andersonville, and must come to some decisions about who she is, who she owes her loyalty to and what she will do with her life.