Uncertain Glory

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk ME, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: April 17, 2015

Review

Fourteen-year-old Joe Wood publishes the Wiscasset Herald in Wiscasset Maine in April 1861. He owes Mr. Shuttlesworth $65 for supplies from when he started, but has only saved $42.27 of it. Working with Charlie and nine-year-old African American Owen, he publishes extra issues as news of conflict at Ft. Sumter in South Carolina has townsfolk worrying if war is in the offing.

At the same time, 12-year-old spiritualist Nell Gramercy arrives in town offering to contact deceased family and friends in private and public sessions. Charlie is determined to uncover Nell's trick to fooling people, but Joe is more inclined to believe that she has the sight when he sees the change in his father after she transmits a message from his deceased brother.

Without a lot of action, this historical novel will appeal to readers interested in character development. Joe and Charlie are resourceful boys, carrying an adult load. Sales of papers at one and two cents a copy bring alive the financial differences between 1861 and today, making Joe's concern about raising the rest of the funds more realistic. Although Maine was a free state, racism rears its ugly head, humiliating young Owen and his father. The plot comfortably intertwines all of these issues with a small town perspective not often seen on the Civil War.

Today's readers will know the outcome of the Fort Sumter conflict, but will still feel the tension build as news of the war's outbreak unfolds. Discomfort as neighbor judges neighbor make "patriotism" more than just a slogan. Teachers will find various avenues of discussion.

An author note explains the truth of Joe Wood and Charlie Farrar. A map of Wiscasset included in the endpages includes locations referenced in the story. Some vernacular is accurate, for example locating Mr. Shuttleworth as "over to Bath." Other vernacular is inconsistent, for instance sometimes Joe uses the word "figgered" for "figured" but other characters use the correct word. Overall, an insightful addition to historical fiction shelves.

Overall Book Score: good