| In Courage to Stand: Stories of Young | | | | overwhelming. Each story touches on other |
| Strength and Triumph in Adversity, author | | | | significant issues such as the romantic ideal |
| Elisa Brinton presents three young adult | | | | of war and conflict often overshadows the |
| historical fiction stories. Each tale takes | | | | atrocities and inhumanities that accompany |
| place during the mid 1800's in what is now | | | | it. Although the stories detail overwhelming |
| America. In the story, The High Cost of | | | | adversity, themes of love, faith, and hope, |
| Unity: The Scourge that is War, Brinton takes | | | | overpower the suffering and provide each |
| readers back to the Civil War Era where a | | | | woman with a new strength and understanding |
| fifteen year old girl fakes her own | | | | of humanity. |
| disappearance so that she can disguise | | | | |
| herself as a eighteen year old boy in order | | | | As historical fiction, the settings are |
| to enlist in the Union army. In Traitor to My | | | | vividly described in great detail. As the |
| Blood, readers are taken back to early Native | | | | author points out in the forward to the |
| American History where a young girl from the | | | | story, Traitor to my Blood, there was less |
| Crow nation is captured by the Cheyenne and | | | | research available so there may be some |
| rescued by a Sioux warrior. In Answer the | | | | inconsistencies in regards to Native American |
| Call, Brinton goes back to 1844 where Mormons | | | | customs. For instance, the issue of |
| in America are seeking sanctuary from | | | | "scalping" was mentioned. Although historians |
| religious persecution. A young girl and her | | | | note cases of scalping in early Native |
| family make a treacherous voyage from England | | | | American history, it was not as predominant |
| to America to make a new life while following | | | | as many now often depict when writing about |
| the Mormon faith. Although fiction, all | | | | early Native Americans. |
| three stories become immersed in the | | | | |
| historical period. In most cases, historical | | | | As historical fiction, Courage to Stand is a |
| figures and settings are interwoven within | | | | compelling and well written series of |
| the fictional tale to present an | | | | stories. The many plots and themes will |
| introspective series of themes. One | | | | inspire reflection regarding current |
| significant theme that emerges is the | | | | conflicts taking place around the world. For |
| strength and courage of young women in eras | | | | the most part, it is a well researched book |
| where discrimination and oppression were | | | | that will be enjoyed by readers who |
| predominant. The protagonists of each story | | | | appreciate historical fiction rooted in young |
| embody a deep inner strength and independence | | | | heroines confronting and overcoming enormous |
| in situations where hopelessness is | | | | adversity. |