Miss Clara says all that is necessary for evil to exist is for good men to do nothing.
I would add, women. I would add, me.
(from Numbering All the Bones, page vi)
Numbering All the Bones is set in 1864-65 on a plantation near Andersonville, Georgia, and is told from the point of view of a 13-year-old house slave, Eulinda. Eulinda’s family was torn apart by the first wife of her master, Mr. Hamilton, who also happens to be her biological father. Her mother died from cholera, her little brother was sold after being accused of stealing a ring, and her 16-year-old brother ran away from the plantation with the ring and joined the Union Army. Eulinda lives in the big house and is educated, and because of this, she is not completely trusted by the other slaves.
Numbering All the Bones is a middle-grade novel that touches upon slavery during the Civil War, showing how difficult life was for slaves without making it too hard for younger readers to handle. Eulinda was mistreated by Mr. Hamilton’s first wife, who spit in her food, among other things, but as a house slave, she also is treated better than some of the others; for instance, she is educated and not forced to perform hard labor. She even has a pet dog. But when Mr. Hamilton begins to withdraw from life after learning that his son has gone missing in the war, his second wife — a Yankee who plays both sides in order to turn a profit — seeks to gain more control over the plantation.
Ann Rinaldi’s real purpose in Numbering All the Bones is to tell the story of the notorious Andersonville Prison camp, where 13,000 Yankee soldiers died from starvation, disease, and exposure in a little more than a year. Eulinda witnesses the horrors of Andersonville first hand when she learns her older brother, Neddy, is being held there. She sees the overcrowding, the lack of food, how the prisoners are left to fend for themselves when it comes to shelter, and how goods are smuggled in and sold to the prisoners who are desperate to survive. The Confederates even open the camp to the curious eyes of men and women who climb to the parapets and act like they’re on a field trip to a zoo.
When the war ends, Eulinda makes her way to the Andersonville prison and joins an effort led by a former Confederate officer, William Griffin, who essentially plans to “number all the bones,” or dig up the dead and give them a proper burial as a way of making amends for the senselessness and horror of war. During this lengthy project, Eulinda meets Clara Barton, who is assisting the efforts and reaching out to the former slaves who come to Andersonville seeking help.
Rinaldi packs a lot of history into Numbering All the Bones, and even though it is intended for younger readers, I found it interesting because I know very little about Andersonville. This short book only scratches the surface of the horrific things that happened at the prison, but it provides a good introduction and should prompt readers to research more of the facts. Like the other novels I’ve read by Rinaldi, she creates a strong main character in Eulinda, but unlike those other novels, I don’t feel like I got to know her very well. Although the book is written in the first person, Eulinda seems to simply chronicle the events that are going on around her. However, Rinaldi does a good job of showing the confusion that the slaves faced when the war was over, as many didn’t know where to go or what to do with themselves after being granted their freedom.
Numbering All the Bones is a great book for parents to discuss with their children. Rinaldi makes parallels between Andersonville and the concentration camps of World War II, touching upon whether or not people living on the outskirts of the prison were truly ignorant of what was going on there. She doesn’t focus on the action on the battlefield, but what happened to one house slave on one plantation and how she and those around her picked up the pieces afterward. Rinaldi not only covers an important part of our nation’s history, but she also shows how the war changed people, both soldiers and slaves, and while some fell into depression or helplessness after experiencing such horror, others tried to put things right.
Check out my reviews of other books by Ann Rinaldi:
Juliet’s Moon
Amelia’s War
My Vicksburg
Disclosure: I borrowed Numbering All the Bones from my local library. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon Associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Anna: This book sounds great—sort of “The Kitchen House” meets “My Name is Mary Sutter” for junior high kids! Thanks for posting. Cheers! BCC
LikeLike
I’ll have to take your word for it, as I haven’t read those books. 😉
LikeLike
Sounds like an interesting introduction to the civil war…looks like you are chugging along with the challenge. I think I have one more book to read…to fulfill my goal.
LikeLike
I have a few more to meet my goal. Just hoping I can get them done since the end of the year is fast approaching!
LikeLike
This sounds like a great book for children.
LikeLike
I agree! I hope The Girl decides to read some of her work soon, given her interest in historical fiction.
LikeLike
Ooooh, this one sounds heartbreaking. I’m not sure my daughter (or I) could handle all the sensitive topics in this book.
LikeLike
It is a heartbreaking story, but I think Rinaldi does a good job making it so that it’s not too much for most children to handle. They get the idea that it was a horrible period in history without being overwhelmed with graphic images. Hope that explanation helps!
LikeLike
Rinaldi is so good at taking huge, frightening, complicated historical situations and rendering them real, believable, and understandable. I just love her books!
LikeLike
Well said! I look forward to reading more of her books down the road.
LikeLike
Sounds like a good book, and it is sure an era that should be read about
LikeLike
Exactly! I really feel like I should know more about the Civil War, especially when I live so close to where many of the battles were fought.
LikeLike
Wonderful review, Anna! I enjoy reading well-written books for young adults. Rinaldi sounds like an excellent author.
LikeLike
She certainly does her homework, and I love how each book has an author’s note that helps separate the fact from the fiction.
LikeLike
Wow, this does sound like an interesting book to read and discuss with children. It sounds emotional. I had never even heard of Andersonville.
Great review as usual.
LikeLike
I had heard of Andersonville, but I didn’t know anything about it other than that it was the “notorious prison camp.” Rinaldi really made me want to learn more about it.
LikeLike
I have to say that I’m so enjoying your reviews of one of my favorite historical fiction writers! Isn’t she amazing? and her stories are so well crafted and researched!! this one gets checked out a lot at my MS library.
LikeLike
Rinaldi really is amazing, especially for introducing younger readers to important events in history. On top of that, she makes her books appealing to adults as well, especially for those like me who know so little about the Civil War.
LikeLike
I wonder if my daughter might enjoy this. It sounds like it handles a tough subject in a honest, but not graphic, way.
LikeLike
It’s not graphic at all. Rinaldi always does a good job of showing the horribleness of war without the blood and gore.
LikeLike
You’ve got my attention with this review, Anna! Did The Girl read NUMBERING ALL THE BONES, too, or is she too young for it? I know nothing of the specific history it addresses; might be a good read for me now, and for my younger daughter in a few years.
LikeLike
She’s not too young for it, but she didn’t read it with me because she’s reading a few books on her own right now. Her reading teacher always makes sure the kids have a book in their hands, and that’s fine by me! 😉
LikeLike
The title reminds me a lot of Number the Stars–one of my favorite books growing up (maybe 3-5th grade?). I haven’t heard of this one but sounds like a really important one. I secretly can’t wait until my kid(s) are old enough to read. 😉
LikeLike
I thought of Number the Stars, too, when I spotted this book on the library shelves. Your little one will be reading before you know it; the time flies by so fast!
LikeLike
We’ve added this review to the war blog and your snippet will appear on dec. 2. Thanks for participating.
LikeLike
Thanks, Serena!
LikeLike
A fascinating account. I do wish I had discovered this challenge earlier, so I could have taken part. I have made a note of the book & plan to read it.
LikeLike
Too bad you didn’t have a chance to join the challenge. Still, I hope you find time to read it. Let me know if you do…would love to hear your thoughts!
LikeLike
[…] War by Ann Rinaldi 3. Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles 4. My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi 5. Numbering All the Bones by Ann Rinaldi 6. When Will This Cruel War Be Over? The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson by Barry […]
LikeLike
I have read this book many times and I have to say it is definitely a personal favorite of mine. It tells the story of a you girl who has the courage to leave everything behind and find a life of her own working at the former prison burying the dead. It does a great job talking about a topic- the Civil War- that is largely forgotten about in today’s word. The book is clear, and very easy to understand but at the same time it’s not boring at all. It’s a must read!
LikeLike