The Last Brother

Grades 3-6 The Tales of Young Americans Series seeks to empower and engage young readers by demonstrating how children have been crucial actors in American history. Trinka Hakes Noble does just this in her contribution to the series, The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale (Sleeping Bear Press, 2006). Our young hero is Gabe, an eleven-year old bugler for the Union Army in Gettysburg on the infamous days of July 1-4, 1863. He has already lost two brothers to the war effort, and fears for his brother Davy who is fighting in his regiment. Noble's writing, along with the heroic illustrations painted by Robert Papp, empathetically captures an authentic feeling character in an incredible situation.  Papp paints much in the style of Caspar David Friedrich's romantic paintings, using realistic figures and majestic backgrounds.  Following the mission of the series, Gabe is able to play a significant, though realistic role in a monumental moment in American history. Gabe's story is both believable and personal. Noble also effectively captures the gray areas in the "Brother vs. Brother" mantra of the Civil War. Overall, an empathetic and captivating piece of illustrated historical fiction. Recommended, ***1/2