Review: THE RIVER BETWEEN US by Richard Peck

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2003. The River Between Us. Read by Lina Patel and Daniel Passer. New York: Random House. ISBN 1400089824. Text ISBN 0803727356

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Set in Southern Illinois at the beginning of the Civil War, The River Between Us tells the story of a young teenage girl, Tilly, and her family; an absent father, a hard-working mother, her twin brother, and her younger sister who “sees” things others cannot. Tilly’s difficult but predictable life is turned upside down when two strangers, Delphine and Calinda, disembark from a steamboat passing through one evening. Tilly’s mother offers to take in the two mysterious young ladies who quickly become part of the household.
As the war heats up and one by one the local boys join the battle, it becomes inevitable that Tilly’s brother, Noah will also leave to fight for the Union. When her mother becomes so distraught over her son’s leaving, Tilly and Delphine journey to the battle fields to find Noah and bring him back home. There are twists and turns throughout the plot as triumph turns to tragedy over and over as the characters strive to come to peace with themselves.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
By beginning and ending the book with a chapter told from the point of view of Tilly’s “grandson,” Peck gives the reader insight to what happened to the family after the events surrounding the Civil War. It also shows the connection between the generations and how the actions of one generation forever affect those who come after.
The book is filled with true to life experiences as Peck unfolds the story of a young girl living through the terrible realities of a brutal war. His vivid use of description allows the reader to experience the wretched conditions of Camp Defiance and the pain and suffering of the soldiers living there. Peck also deals with the difficult subject of race relations and the controversial practice of plantation owners who not only had a “white” family but also a family with free “colored” women.
In the text version of the book, Peck includes a note at the end about his research on which he based the events in the story. He does explain more fully the historical basis for the custom of white men having families with their black mistresses.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
VOYA review: “Mixing vibrant characters, a gripping plot, and historical facts, Peck cooks a literary gumbo worthy of New Orleans' finest chefs.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “The author crafts his characters impeccably and threads together their fates in surprising ways that shed light on the complicated events of the Civil War."

5. CONNECTIONS
This book can be used to supplement a study of the Civil War.
Further research into the role of women and girls during this time in history would also expand students understanding of the female point of view during a time which is usually covered mostly from the male “soldier” point of view.

Other novels by Richard Peck include:
A Long Way from Chicago. ISBN 0142401102
A Year Down Yonder. ISBN 0142300705
The Teacher’s Funeral. ISBN 0142405078