I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

To the Front is a fantastic book for children about Clara Barton who was a self-taught civil war nurse who cared for and treated soldiers in the Battle of Antietam in 1862. This woman was so brave especially as she treated them numerous times before supplies even arrived for the medical teams. Told in verses this book teaches children about Clara Bartons courage, brave nature, strength and compassion. The illustrations are so realistic and captivating! At the back of the book there is more information about the Battle of Antietam itself which was really interesting to read. This would make a great resource for children researching war times but I would aim the book at ages 10+ due to the grey scenes and nature of the book.

I feel the subject of this book is fascinating. The illustrations are also gorgeous and very detailed. I love how the artist paid focus to something as small as dirty hand prints on a white door. I also love the writing taken from Clara Barton herself. I also think the concept of using the words from the original Clara and then adding to it for a modern audience is also very clever.

However, I did not like the writing from the author. I felt like it was very stilted, confusing and repetitive. It also wasn't consistent. If the author wanted to make a stylistic choice and do repetition in her phrasing or even almost make it poetry, then at least it should have been kept throughout the rest of the book. I felt myself skipping the repetitive parts of her sentences and reading the rest. Even when I did I didn't know why it was even included? I feel like the parts the author wrote didn't add anything, in fact it reduced my enjoyment of the story. Just having Clara's words would have been better in my opinion, or, the author could make other writing choices and include in her segments information that adds to our understanding of the story. Not repeating what Clara already said in her passages.

I also found the "about" section at the back a bit boring. This is a children's book. The information at the back should be more engaging and in smaller bite sized pieces for younger readers. If its intended as a "teachers guide" then I think it should be listed as such. This section seemed very high school textbook to me and less, kids picture book.

I will be looking up Clara after reading this but I feel the writing didn't do the illustrations, concept or Clara's story justice. It just didn't "flow" properly for me.

This gorgeously illustrated picture book biography has a combination of poetic text and quotes from Clara Barton to tell the story of her part in the battle of Antietam. The art work is luminous and connects the reader closely to the carefully crafted text. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE.

This book was a wonderful blend on story, Clara Burton's own words, and beautiful illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Calkins Creek for a copy of this book for review.

I was really interested in reading this book about Clara Barton. The illustrations are amazing, but maybe a little too accurate for the recommended grade levels of 1-4. The doctor in the blood soaked apron, a many preparing to use a cleaver on a patient, and the blood soaked clothes of the soldiers seem a little graphic for this age group. I found the firsthand accounts from Clara Barton very interesting. However, without any supporting storyline to weave them together more completely, the storyline was not easy to follow. Children reading this without the benefit of background knowledge on the battle would be completely lost. Friddell's words add very little to the story and actually detracted from it in my opinion. I don't see this as a book that kids will want to read.

To the Front! is the story of Clara Barton and her efforts during the Battle of Antietam. This tale was beautifully told through the words of Clara herself and the author. The illustrations were stunning. It demonstrates how Clara came to be called the Angel of the Battlefield. There is an Afterword that contains more information about this important woman.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Clara Barton was one of my first heroes. I remember finding a biography of her in the children's library when I was 10 and I was hooked on her and all that she accomplished. She was an amazing woman and I never stopped being in awe of her and the things she did when women just were not typically allowed to do those things. I do not really remember reading anything but that biography [it was a small library and there was more than likely no other books on her there], but I read it over and over until at one point I had it practically memorized. By the time I was old enough to seek out other books on her, I had moved on with other biographies, but I have always wanted to go back and read more on her. Who knew that opportunity would come in a children's picture book.

I had no idea that Clara Barton had been at Antietam [one of the deadliest battles in the Civil War], though it doesn't surprise me, considering all the other battles she was at and all the good she did for the soldiers and the surgeons fighting for those poor men's lives. Her bravery and endurance in that battle alone should have earned her a medal; there are documented men who were not nearly as brave as she was.

Told in both her words and in verse from the author and gorgeously illustrator [you feel like you are right there with her during the battle], it tells the story simply but powerfully and left me in awe of her once again by the end. What a fantastic way to introduce children to this amazing woman.

There is more information on her in the back that is also enlightening and will offer chances to have really great discussion with whomever is reading this amazing book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - what a great way to learn about a woman who defied ALL the odds and came out on top. Fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Claudia Friddell, Christopher Cyr [Illustrator], and Astra Publishing House/Calkins Creek for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clara Burton is one of the most notorious women of US history, which is great considering how so many get forgotten. She was a great nurse of the American Civil War and later founder of the American Red Cross, which still operates today. She also helped to find missing soldiers after the war, was a suffragist, and a civil rights activist who was acquainted with Frederick Douglas. This book is filled with a great story as well as historical facts about this great woman of history!

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A strikingly illustrated picture book depicting Clara Barton's role in nursing at the front in the Battle of Antietam. It interweaves Clara's own words with poetry that aids more plot to the story. This is a great read for older children that will be able to see the role Clara played more than the gore (which is well handled) on the page.

I loved everything about this book. The story includes words from Clara Barton's own journal and there are interesting supplemental facts included at the end. The illustrations are stunning! They're easily some of the best I have ever seen in a children's book. Highly recommended!

Stunning graphics that draw the eye and capture the scene well. Clara Barton is a hero and should be remembered for her acts of service, bravery, and humanitarianism. I love that a book has been written for younger readers to learn a little more about her. My favorite part tells a story through Clara’s words (would be even more poignant read aloud with emotion and appropriate pauses). It is a tribute told through two different points of view, Clara’s, in her own words, and then Claudia’s in poetic form. There are rich historical details provided at the end that help fill in details for inquiring minds who want to know a little more. I would have loved this book to be present in my library and can see lots of youth enjoy learning about historical figures this way.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This book is beautiful and powerful and moving and just a perfect way to get a glimpse of Civil War history through the story of one heroine that should not be forgotten. The use of Clara's own words in the story is very powerful. The illustrations are breathtaking! The poetry is poignant. Every choice made in the execution of this book was perfect to bring a harrowing and violent moment in American history to young readers. This is appropriate for all ages of children and will touch the hearts of adults as well. This is a treasure for any parent or educator. More books like this should exist, thank you Claudia Friddell for writing it, Christopher Cyr for illustrating it, and Calkins Creek of Astra Books for Young Readers for publishing it.

This book is damn precious!

I am mesmerized by the art and the writing.

It's absolutely meaningful and important. The story of kindness and being human.

It's the story of Clara Barton who helped and nursed the wounded and the helpless during the Battle of Antietam.

Thank you, Calkins Creek, for the advance reading copy.

Told through a blend of poetry and prose, To the Front! is the story of Clara Barton and the impact of her presence at the Civil War Battle of Antietam. The heart-wrenching illustrations depict the darkness and hopelessness of a battlefield, and Clara's tireless efforts to do as much as she can for the soldiers. The afterword includes a bit of her life story and additional accomplishments, including the founding of the American Red Cross. This would be an excellent addition to any children's and elementary school collection.

Told through a combination of prose and quotes from Clara, this book puts you in the shoes of the Angel of the Battlefield herself. Her compassion and grace leap from the page and draw you into the horrific nature of the battle all at the same time. The emotions are written all over her face in the realistic illustrations that really add to the depth of emotion in the book. This would be a great addition to any school library!