Reviews

Crossing Ebenezer Creek by Tonya Bolden

mdettmann's review against another edition

3.0

3.5. A fictional telling of little-known tragedy during the Civil War. Mariah and her brother become free and travel with Sherman's army. During her travels, Mariah meets a fellow freed man, Caleb, and while she is significantly scarred by the horrors of her enslavement, she begins to dream of what a truly free life can be for her and her brother, and even including Caleb. If you didn't know about what happened at Ebenezer Creek, just be prepared to have your heart removed from your body and crushed with sadness at the conclusion of this harrowing book.

amysutton's review against another edition

5.0

Mariah and her younger brother Zeke have just been liberated by the Yankees traveling as part of Sherman’s march. She meets Caleb, a black man who is given respect and rank in the army, and she begins to learn what freedom could mean.

This was an incredible story made even better by the historical facts that were included. You could tell that Bolden researched slave narratives and events. There was a great balance of real occurrences and narrative interpretation.


There are mentions of rape (very vaguely referred to) and some graphic descriptions of how slaves were tortured or killed, so this book would probably lend itself better to upper middle school and high school classes.

I was given an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

amarasanti's review against another edition

4.0

This continues my streak of learning about seriously disturbing things that I knew nothing about in our history. If you don't read this book, at least google abandonment or betrayal at Ebenezer Creek. This is written as a novel but follows the true story with characters based on real people.

mbm7pink's review against another edition

informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Story about Sherman’s March and the crossing at Ebenezer Creek where many thousands died. A romance between Mariah the main character and Caleb, a Yankee on the march. This was a really good book, though the ending was very sad. Wished it ended with a happy ending. 

jhahn's review against another edition

4.0

I wish I had known at the beginning that this was based on true story. A piece of Civil War history that we never learned. Very sad that this happened but important to know I think.

teacher2library's review against another edition

5.0

Short, fast, unforgettable. Mariah barely has time to dream of freedom before her dreams are cruelly cut short at Ebenezer Creek.

An honest, hard look at how newly freed African Americans were treated by the Yankees during Sherman's March to the Sea. Yet for all its bleakness, this story also portrays the pride and power of Black folk.

abigailbat's review against another edition

4.0

Oof, you guys. This book. Based on historical events, this is a bleak recounting of the end of slavery and the atrocities committed against African-Americans, even by Yankees supposedly "saving" them. It's a sad slow-burn of a romance tempered by a lot of descriptions of just how horrific slavery was. Hand this to teens who are curious about what slavery was really like, teens who can take heartbreaking scenes of violence and who want to know the truth.

A hard, important book.

the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition

5.0

As frequently happens with authors, we read one book we love by an author, and then we put all the rest on hold at the library and read as they come in.

Tonya Bolden is one such author. This is some powerful history to read, but my 17-year-old daughter and I again deeply appreciated this story -- I can't say we loved it, the material is too grim and horrific, but the story was deeply touching.

Crossing Ebenezer Creek is set during the Civil War, specifically Sherman's March to Atlanta. Many African Americans, mostly slaves, joined the soldiers on the march on its periphery, looking to Sherman to fulfill their hopes and dreams, for the freedom the Union promised.

Mariah, a slave, finds temporary respite from her plantation owner and overseer while traveling with the soldiers. Caleb, a free black man and blacksmith, finds purpose working for the soldiers and his heart warms to Mariah in a way he hadn't thought possible.

You want, so desperately, for this tale to have a romantic, storybook ending, but life is rarely like that, and the author is true to the events at Ebenezer Creek.

I won't spoil the ending, won't spoil what happens. It is gut-wrenching, however, to read through your tears.

We highly recommend this!

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

sarahs_readingparty's review against another edition

4.0

Heartbreaking! This is one of those books that makes you ashamed to be white, and ashamed of others' actions, even at a time when you weren't even around. This story needs to be told... yet somehow, despite the awful actions of certain Northern military leaders... there's an immense sense of hope for the future.

julshakespeare's review against another edition

4.0

4.4/5 stars, full review to come! SUCH an important story but ouch.

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5