The Sentinels of Andersonville

Starred review from November 18, 2013
Christy winner Groot (Flame of Resistance) uses the Civil War atrocity at Andersonville Prison, where 13,000 Union prisoners died in a single year, as the background for a probing retelling of the story of the Good Samaritan. Three young Southerners—two Confederate soldiers and a young woman who lives in the town nearest Andersonville—come to understand the true conditions in the prisoner-of-war camp, and must decide what they can do. Readers used to gentle inspirational novels may pale at some of the descriptions, but Groot has done good historical homework. She has also created memorable characters both major and minor, whose anguish is palpable. Confederate sentry Dance Pickett is especially well-realized. The pacing is page-turning, and Groot has a good instinct for sprinkling comic relief into a wrenching tale. This Civil War–era story grapples with fundamental moral questions about decency and conscience—questions that can be asked about all wars. Agent: Kathryn Helmers, Creative Trust.

January 15, 2014
In 1864, Americus, Ga., was short on buttons and bandages but long on community and family values. Just 10 miles away, however, sat the notorious Andersonville Prison. All delicate bones and huge blue eyes, Violet Stiles is the lodestar for Dance Pickett, a gimlet-eyed young man stationed as an Andersonville sentry. Armed with little more than whiskey and determination, Dr. Stiles, Violet's father, daily tries to cure the incurable. He and Dance strive to keep the womenfolk--indeed, the entire community of Americus--blissfully ignorant of the unspeakable conditions at the prison. Yet Violet's desire to do good sets her on a collision course with the truth. Looking for a package of seashells, Violet impetuously sets off to find her father at the prison hospital. Dance sees her in the distance and tries to stop her before she can witness any of the horrors. He's too late. Violet has seen the broken Union soldiers. Perhaps worse, she's overheard a conversation between Emery Jones and Lewis Gann. While escorting Lewis (the lone survivor of the 12th Pennsylvania militia) to the prison, Emery (a witty Confederate from Alabama) unexpectedly finds a friend. As they frankly discuss the war, Violet realizes that the Union soldiers are not the vermin she's been led to believe they are. Distraught over the conditions at Andersonville, as well as the complacency in Americus, Violet, Dance, Emery and Dr. Stiles found the Friends of Andersonville. Intended to open the eyes of Southern citizens to the truth and to improve conditions for the soldiers held at Andersonville, the group instead challenges everyone's moral fortitude. When mercy is seen as treason, even the heroes are endangered. Christy-award winning novelist Groot (Flame of Resistance, 2012, etc.) unflinchingly examines the consequences of becoming a good Samaritan in this richly detailed, engrossing historical fiction.

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January 1, 2014
When Emery Jones, an idealistic Confederate soldier, finally captures a Union soldier after a long standoff, he comes to respect his adversary on the trek to the infamous Andersonville prison and vows that he will be safe. When Emery meets Dance Pickett, an aristocratic Southern militiaman and the estranged son of a famous father, he discovers a kindred soul who believes that the Union prisoners are also God's children. Violet Stiles, who has devised a way to make much-needed buttons for the Confederate soldiers, goes to Andersonville seeking a shipment of supplies, and sees starving, dying, and dead Union soldiers. Appalled that her beloved father, a physician who volunteers there, hasn't done more, she decides to form a group to feed the prisoners, only to discover that doing the right thing can have unexpectedly difficult repercussions. Groot's three young Southern protagonists find friendship and love in the midst of adversity as they follow the moral path, even though it may mean death and dishonor. Groot's (Stones of My Accusers, 2004) well-researched, inspirational historical tale, with its frank depiction of the atrocities at Andersonville and realistic portrayal of characters who question what it truly means to be Christian, will be compelling and memorable for a diverse audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)