This was a really unique concept for a middle grade novel. The language was unfortunately too heavy for my third graders, but I can see this being interesting for fifth or sixth graders who have an inclination towards historical fiction and civil war.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read the novel Peacemakers by Rebecca Suter Lindsay.
Peacemakers is a historical fiction set in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia during the Civil War. It is geared towards the middle grade age but is a fantastic read for all. The story follows 14 year old Manny Weaver and his family. The Weavers are a family of farmers and potters of the Mennonite faith. They believe strongly in acting as peacemakers and avoiding worldly affairs. When Virginia votes to secede from the Union, the Confederacy requires men between 18 and 45 to enlist. That includes Manny’s father and uncle! Throughout the story Manny faces many moral dilemmas and questions many things such as lying, stealing, swearing Oaths, fighting wars, and slavery. With the men in his family gone, Manny has to work harder than he ever has.

My family and I absolutely adored this story. I read this to my boys, ages 9 and 10, as an addition to our homeschool lessons about the Civil War. They both throughly enjoyed it and so did I! I loved the life lessons that the author touched on. I loved that you could really picture Manny “growing” into man right before your eyes.

I would recommend this book to everyone! It would make a great addition to any homeschool family, teacher’s, or librarian’s libraries. It is a great coming-of-age story that shows a unique and different perspective of the Civil War.
Our Ratings:
N- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
B-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mom- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Manny Weaver, a 14 year old, Mennonite. Lives in Virginia, in 1861. Due to their faith his family has chosen not to be in the Militia,, by able to paying a some. Virginia secedes from the Union, the payment is void. Manny knows his family’s faith mean the world to them, joining the violence goes against everything they stand for.
He has to figure out what he needs to do to protect his father and uncle. But will it cost him his faith?