Rifles for Watie

By: Harold Keith

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Newbery Medal Winner, 1958

With fighting erupting around his Kansas farm, 16-year-old Jefferson Davis Bussey can hardly wait to join the Union forces. He wants to defend his family from the dreaded Colonel Watie and his Cherokee Indian rebels. After enlisting, Jeff discovers the life of a soldier brings little glory and honor. During battle, his friends die around him. And when he infiltrates Watie’s camp as a spy, he discovers the enemy is much like himself—only fighting for a different cause. As Jeff collects information, he wonders if he will be able to betray his new rebel companions when the time comes for him to return to the Union forces. Historian and author Harold Keith packs this well-researched novel with fascinating details and breath-taking action. Rifles for Watie was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. Believable characters and vivid battle scenes burst from the pages of history with narrator Tom Stechschulte’s dramatic performance.

©1957 Harold Keith (P)1999 Recorded Books

Great Book!

I read this book almost 20 years ago and loved it. I listened to it now and loved it just as much!

Good book

We found this book exciting and funny. I cringed a little at some of the more romantically inclined scenes for my 10 year old son. They weren't terrible, just a couple of phrases more than what I felt fully comfortable with for that age. I love how it gives both sides of the war a face and shows hearts reaching out to individuals. I recommend this book to others. Tom Stechshulte's narration was easy to listen to and get lost in. He brought the characters to life.

Great story! I wished it was longer.

I wished it was longer, the book kind of concluded quickly. The book moves quickly as it spans the entire civil war.

Great coming of age story

My 12 year old loved this book. It was exciting and realistic. I loved it as it gave my son a literary example of a young man transitioning into adulthood with his honor intact.

great historical novel with life lessons

great book with so much history. the main character is like most of us- a passionate teen ready to live, and as he experiences the Civil War, he gains understanding and wisdom of the world and the people around him. highly recommended for 12+