To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam by Claudia Friddell and Christopher Cyr - ESSENTIAL

To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam by Claudia Friddell, illustrated by Christopher Cyr. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill/Astra), 2022. $19. 9781635923223

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

After the soldiers, Clara Barton and her men are the first people to reach Antietam before the battle started. As soon as the first shots were fired, she and her men descended on the field to help the men in any way necessary, from tending to feeding, watering, and bringing light. Her actions made the difference for thousands of lives that day, and never stopping.

The excellent backmatter gives even more details about Barton’s considerable charity work. Friddell blends her own words will Clara’s to give us a first-rate look at another facet of the Civil War. Cyr’s illustrations evoke the feeling of the time period that we are familiar with from the art of the day. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS