Swords of Steel
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| Author | Elsie Singmaster |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | David Hendrickson |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature / Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Houghton |
| Publication date | 1933 |
| Publication place | United States |
Swords of Steel is a 1933 children's historical fiction novel written by Elsie Singmaster and illustrated by David Hendrickson. Set before and during the American Civil War, it tells of the childhood and coming of age of a boy from the North and his involvement with the war, and was inspired by Singmaster's childhood growing up in Pennsylvania.[1] It earned a Newbery Honor in 1934.[2]
Plot summary
[edit]In 1859, 12-year-old John Deane is living with his family in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he is friends with Nicholas, a black servant, with whom he is training a colt. Deane is devastated when Nicholas is kidnapped by slave catchers and sent to the South to be sold. He learns that his father is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and he visits Harper's Ferry where he witnesses John Brown's raid.
When the war reaches Pennsylvania, Deane's house is seized by the Confederates, and he is locked in the cellar. However, he is helped by the troop's cook, his old friend Nicholas. Deane later joins the Union Army, where he witnesses the final events of the American Civil War.
References
[edit]- ↑ Gillespie, John T.; Naden, Corinne J., eds. (2006). The Newbery/Printz Companion: Book Talk and Related Materials (3rd ed.). Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 1-59158-313-6.
- ↑ "Association for Library Service to Children - Newbery Medal Winners & Honor Books, 1922 – Present" (PDF). ALA.org. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
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- 1933 American novels
- 1933 English-language novels
- 1933 children's books
- American children's novels
- Books by Elsie Singmaster
- Children's books about American slavery
- Children's books set in Pennsylvania
- Children's books set during the American Civil War
- Children's books set in the 1850s
- Children's historical novels
- Novels set in 1859
- Newbery Honor–winning works
- Novels about American slavery
- Novels set during the American Civil War
- Novels set in Pennsylvania
- 1930s children's novel stubs
- Children's historical novel stubs
- 1930s historical novel stubs
- American Civil War stubs
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- 1930s novel stubs