This historical novel tells the story of two boys living in the South during the tragic days of the Civil War. James is a proud Southerner who feels responsible for providing for his newly widowed mother and his younger sister. Eli is the lone outdoor slave of a bitter man who sold off Eli's mother two years earlier. When circumstances force them to work side by side, each boy's eyes are opened to new ways of thinking, leading to an exciting conclusion. Filled with thoughtful prose and historical references, The Songs of Stone River brings the Civil War era to life.
"This Connect collection is a unique and fascinating idea; connecting three nonfiction books with a fictional text. Thus, along with learning the facts of the causes of the war, the major battles, and the influential leaders of the time, students can read historical fiction with characters they will truly care about. This makes history come alive."
