Historical Ficition Book Review: THE RIVER BETWEEN US

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 0142403105

2. PLOT SUMMARY
On the eve on World War I, Howard Hutchings accompanies his father, Dr. William Hutchings and his twin brothers to visit his grandparents Dr. William and Tilly and great aunt Delphine and great-uncle Noah in the town of Grand Tower, IL which lies on the Mississippi River. During the family’s time Howard can since the history of the house and the people living there, and Tilly is all but happy to share the past with him.

Told through Tilly’s point of view, Howard hears all about his Great Aunt Cass, Tilly’s younger sister who had visions of the future which left her haunted, Great Uncle Noah, Tilly’s twin brother and his Great Aunt Delphine’s arrival to Grand Tower via riverboat from New Orleans, and the mystery that surrounded her and her travel mate Calinda, whom everyone thought was Delphine’s slave. Many people in the town thought that because Tilly’s mother Mrs. Pruitt took Delphine and Calinda into her home, that they were traders to the north, but this did not worry the Pruitt’s who continued to let Delphine and Calinda stay at their home. During their stay at the Pruitt home, Tilly’s twin brother Noah falls quickly for Delphine, but as the beginning of the Civil War is close Noah decides to go and fight for the North, which upsets the entire family.

Tilly’s mother quickly falls into a depression, when she gets a vision that Noah is sick. She tells Tilly to go and get Noah and bring him home. Tilly and Delphine quickly gather the necessities they need to survive and go to Cairo, IL to get Noah. There they meet Dr. Hutchings and he leads them to a place to stay and Noah, who is gravely ill. While in Cairo, Tilly and Delphine nurse Noah and a group of other soldiers back to health. During this time it is also reviled that Delphine is actually of mixed race. Her father is white and her mother is black, and Calinda is actually her sister. Tilly and Dr. Hutichens are surprised by the revelation, but continue to work with Delphine to help the soliders, keeping Delphine’s secret. Soon after the soldiers are healthy they go into battle, where Noah looses his arm. Tilly and Delphine again nurse Noah back to health and return home to find that their mother had killed herself and their long lost father had died in the war, fighting for the South. Soon after their return Calinda decides to leave for California leaving Delphine with the Pruitt family.

Howard was surprised at the many revelations that he discovered during his time with Tilly, but that was nothing compared to what his father told him on their way back home to St. Louis. His father let him know that he was going to join the Army as an Army doctor for World War I and that Howard was going to have to become the man of the house. Howard understand that his father wants to follow in his father’s footsteps, but soon finds out that Dr. Hutchings is Tilly aren’t his father’s parents, but in fact Noah and Delphine are his true parents. Given the time period, Howard’s reaction is actually surprising. Instead of being horrified that he is black, he is actually proud of his heritage.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Richard Peck, has intertwined romance, adventure, mystery, and history together in this novel which keeps the readers guessing until the very end. Peck’s writing focuses on an aspect of the Civil War that is a very interesting and not really talked about in most middle school/high school history books: passing. The fact that a huge part of the plot deals with Delphine and the secrecy of her heritage and the culture of New Orleans helps bring a serious issue to the forefront of readers who might have never been made aware of this part of U.S. History. To help make Delphine and Calinda more realistic as people from New Orleans, Peck has them speak not only English, but he mixes their language with French-Creole as well. Peck also includes, a section entitled “A Note on the Story” which details his research of the Civil War, New Orleans, Grand Tower, and Cairo so he could portray each place and the characters from these places with historical accuracy. Overall, Peck has written a great story, which will open the eyes of several readers to this issue of passing for white. This book can be the catalyst to discussion of the issue of race in the war and it’s effects on people in the past and today.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLEY review: “The author crafts his characters impeccably and threads together their fates in surprising ways that shed light on the complicated events of the Civil War."

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES review: “Peck spices up his stew with showboats, apparitions, romance, battle, and twists around every corner in this great read, even for those who dislike historical fiction.”


5. CONNECTIONS
*Use the book to explore the decision Delphine and Noah made to have their son appear to be Tilly and Dr. William Hutchings son.
*Use the book to discuss why people who were born of mixed race, but looked white would make the discussion to pass for white.

*Other historical fiction books by Richard Peck
*Peck, Richard. ON THE WINGS OF HEROES. ISBN: 9780803730816
*Peck, Richard. Amanda/Miranda. ISBN: 9780141312170