Soldier's Heart

This book, by one of my favorite authors, Gary Paulsen, vividly portrays the life of a young Civil War soldier. In June 1861, at the age of 15, Charlie Goddard left his farm and enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteers. He went to war for the adventure, but returned a different person, someone said to have a "soldier's heart". Widely recognized (Minnesota Book Award 1999, Best Books for Young Adults and National Social Studies Trade Books lists in 1999, and selected for ALA's 100 Best Books for Teens), this is a must-read for young teen boys.