By Ann Rinaldi
Although the US only just allowed women to serve in combat, women have been fighting in wars for years in books. One of my favourites is Girl in Blue.
It’s 1861 and when sixteen year old Sarah Weedlock discovers her father’s plan to marry her off to the horrible widower next door, she runs away from home. Under the alias, Neddy Compton, she signs up for the Union Army. Starting as a (male) nurse, she works every day to keep her identity a secret and eventually is fighting on the frontlines. Then her identity is discovered and, making use of her disguise skills, she is sent to become a spy with Allan Pinkerton, and that is when the main action begins. Her first mission - to find the diary of a fierce confederate spy - proves to be harder than Sarah ever imagined.
I was really impressed with Girl in Blue. It was fast paced, full of action and mystery and overall, really well written, the fight scenes especially. Sarah is a very well-drawn character, and not once did she have to use her “feminine wiles” (THANK YOU). She is a strong character, and when her gender is discovered, she doesn’t become a girlish sop, as is the case with many books and films, she just carries on as before and doesn’t require anyone else’s help.
I really enjoyed Girl in Blue, and it is most definitely on the rereads list.
Feisty chick-o-meter: 8/10
Age rating: 12+
Rating: 9/10
Stand alone or series: Stand alone
Book or audiobook: Book
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