Behind Rebel Lines

Non-Fiction by Seymour Reit
Reviewed by Lindsey B.
Not in the NVHS collection as of this post


In the Story, Behind Rebel Lines, by Seymour Reit, Emma Edmonds, a brave 21-year-old girl, enrolls in the army dressed as man, knowing her life may be at risk. For several weeks Emma cares for the sick and the wounded as a nurse in a tent hospital on the battlefield. When she hears about the death of James Vesey, a close friend whom she had grown up with, Emma feels the need to attempt the impossible. The Union's key spy had been captured in Richmond and shot. Will Emma be able to keep her identity a secret while spying and collecting valuable information on the Confederates?

Emma Edmonds, an adventurous, loving girl, was never worried about her safety. There was an "imp voice inside of her, pushing Emma to take risks." When Emma was a kid she would always climb the highest tree or ride the most dangerous horses. This certain feeling inside of Emma telling her to do daring things came from her father. He always wanted a son, but instead got a daughter. Emma ran away when she was 16 years old because she could never please him.

I would recommend this novel to any male or female ages 12 and up. This book was extremely suspenseful in two different ways. Not only did Emma have to hide her identity as a girl but also had to sneak around behind rebel lines without getting caught. Anyone who likes historical fiction and adventure will thoroughly enjoy this book.