Elisa Brinton's, Courage To Stand: Stories of Young Strength and Triumph in Adversity

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