The Lost Dispatch
By Marie Mitchell & Mason Smith
Illustrated by Ryan Lanigan Published in August 2008 Twelve-year-old Victoria Johnson reluctantly enlists in the Union Army. She’s a little late. The Civil War was fought nearly 150 years ago. But Vic’s sixth-grade class has joined adult re-enactors staging the October 8th, 1862, Battle of Perryville. That was the most important Civil War battle fought on Kentucky soil. Vic needs the extra-credit she’s been promised, and the re-enactment beats spending a couple days with Granny Gladys and her yappy Chihuahua, Taco. So grudgingly, Vic trades her iPod, cell phone, and TV for a kepi, wooden rifle, and bug-infested tent. She’s hot, itchy, and irritable, marching in a soldier’s ill-fi tting boots. But at least it’s just for one weekend. It could seem like forever, though, when Vic discovers her tent-mate is her arch enemy, Latisha, the perfectionist. To make matters worse, Vic’s fantasy of fame and fortune vanish when her great-great-great grandmother’s journal is stolen. That journal could solve a mystery about the outcome of the battle—which, in turn, could have affected who won the Civil War. So don’t desert Vic when she needs a friend. Help her out. Buy this book. Take it home. Read it in a comfy chair, sipping a cold drink. And enjoy your Civil War experience—without the heat. And the bugs. Mostly the bugs. Order Online Now or Click here to print an Order Form TESTIMONIALS “The Lost Dispatch bridges the gap between present day and the past, allowing readers to experience a re-enactment of what camp life was like for a soldier in 1862.” ~Lori Santarpio, Education Manager, The Boston Herald. “I thoroughly enjoyed the story, being a Civil War buff! Our teachers reported to me that they enjoyed the way history and mystery were intertwined and the relationships between Victoria, her friends, family, and M.K. (newspaper reporter). Students liked the first-person comments that Vic makes and they could identify with her feelings and thoughts. They could imagine themselves right there with her, enduring the ‘heat of the battle’ and helping solve the mystery of The Lost Dispatch.” ~Gwen Welty Newspaper in Education Coordinator, Carroll County Times, Westminster, MD “The Lost Dispatch is a contemporary account of the Battle of Perryville. The book contains historical data which will cause students to think about the time period differently: medical conditions, the importance of civilians in battle, diseases. Topics are brought up in such a way that it begs for further and more in-depth discussion—such as units getting lost during battle, women soldiers, and lack of refrigeration. Students in middle school will love this book.” ~Sharon Graves Teacher, Clark Moores Middle School, Richmond, KY “A unique and intriguing look at the past through the eyes of a 21st century adolescent. The Lost Dispatch is a valuable addition to any classroom library.” ~Tammy Board President, Kentucky Reading Association “The Lost Dispatch is part history lesson, part mystery, part ‘what if.’ Would the lost dispatch have affected the ultimate outcome of the Civil War? The authors’ knowledge of historical fact is evident throughout the story. They spin an engaging yarn while remaining true to the history of the Civil War era. The Lost Dispatch is a good read for younger readers who will identify with the school-age heroine and her cohorts, and for older readers with even a passing interest in the Civil War.” ~Sandra Stone Newspaper in Education Coordinator, Meade County Messenger, Brandenburg, KY “The Lost Dispatch is a great book! What I enjoyed the most about it was that it pulled my attention to it, so once I started reading it, I couldn’t quit. I could really relate.” ~Larken Jones 6th grade student, Model Lab School, Richmond, KY “This is a thoroughly engrossing young person’s account of seemingly an improbable event associated with the Civil War Battle of Perryville. The writing style is quite readable and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the story development and its various twists and turns. I highly recommend this wonderful piece of fiction.” ~Charles C. Hay III Archivist Emeritus, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
|
