With Every Drop of Blood

A Novel of the Civil War

By James Lincoln Collier &
Christopher Collier

Book Summary
The book describes the unlikely
friendship between two teenage
boys. One of whom is an escaped
slave fighting for the Union. The
other is a farmer from the
Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Book Summary, cont.

Their friendship dispels their preconceived
ideas about the reasons the war was fought.
Ultimately, they save each others lives and
learn to see things from each others point
of view.

Fictional Characters
Johnnyteenage farm boy
from Virginia
Cushfreed slave fighting for
the Union

Vocabulary Overview
Vocabulary discussion centered around words that
were regional slang and dialect.
Examples include:
liefwillingly; Id just as lief do it tonight.
Blamecurse word, such as darned; If only
those Yankees werent so blame hot to turn the
darkies loose.
Darkiesanother term for African American

Understanding Gained Through

Research
Novel set in the Shenandoah Valley in
Virginia
Food supplies taken to Richmond
Petersburg, Cedar Creek, and Appomattox
were actual battles of the Civil War
McLean House and the Appomattox Court
House were actual places that played major
roles in the surrender of the Confederate
Army.

Research, continued
The Union had a decided advantage because
of their abundant supplies

Activities
Students will create a map of Johnnys route
from his house to Appomattox.
Students will write newspaper editorials
from southern and northern perspectives,
either supporting or condemning the war.

Projects
Students will create a war recruitment
poster. The poster will include historically
accurate phrases stating why the soldiers
should fight, or what they are fighting for.

Extensions
Class discussions to emphasize main themes and
those issues that can relate the past to the present:
Equality
Equal opportunity
Tolerance
Race relations
Prejudice
Stereotyping
Civil Rights
Reasons for war
Adolescence and coming of age