Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1988

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Introduction

Teacher Introduction

Behind Rebel Lines

Genre: Fiction; young adult historical fiction
Originally Published: 1988
Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 830L; grades 5-10
Structure/Length: 16 chapters and foreword; approximately 130 pages; approximately 2 hours, 25 minutes on audio
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist is Emma Edmonds, a real-life figure from the Civil War era. The central conflict stems from Emma's decision to disguise herself as a man and serve as a Union spy during the Civil War. The story follows her courageous and risky endeavors, providing insights into the challenges and significance of her role in the war.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Wartime violence, death, and suffering; gender disguise and societal norms; espionage; historical conflict; use of racist slurs/language

Seymour Reit, Author

Bio: Born 1918; died 2001; American author and cartoonist; known for his children's books and historical fiction; often combined historical facts with engaging narratives; a creator of the character Casper the Friendly Ghost; contributed to children's literature and comic book industry
Other Works: Race Against Death: A True Story of the Far North (1976); The Day They Stole the Mona Lisa (1981); Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution (2001)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

What Women Can Really Do
Appearance Determines Treatment
The Need to Make a Difference