The River Between Us by Richard Peck

As a brilliant and prolific author, one might never know that Richard Peck specialized in young adult fiction unless they new that he had written books awarded with The Newbery Medal and Honor. It’s not that his books aren’t short, it’s just that they are so full of life, story, character, and drama, that it’s always a surprise that they’re of typical young adult length. In addition, he never talks down to his readers, treating his young adult readers as though they deserve the very best of his writing. I am in awe of his skill, and while I can’t say that I would recommend every one of his books, I certainly commend him to you as an excellent author.

The River Between Us follows a family through the early years of the Civil War, retelling oft forgotten stories of the time, of soldiers dead through disease more than battle, of vibrant cultures unheard of in the postwar years. The story is brilliant, but the details drew me in: long underwear, scrapple, dances, bonnets, candles, and oil lamps. Never before has this time period so real to me. And Peck isn’t content to leave it at that. He also weaves in the next generation, just prior to U.S. involvement in World War I. In doing so, he successfully accomplishes what many good authors fail to do – he finishes the story. I closed the final page of this short novel with a satisfied sigh, content with how I left them. The story wasn’t over, but I was able to leave my part in it without feeling cheated, and for an author to accomplish that is a great achievement indeed.