Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero

Written by Marissa Moss and John Hendrix

Narrated by Christina Moore

When Frank Thompson sees a poster requesting recruits for the new Union army, he is ready and willing to enlist. Except Frank isn’t his real name. In fact, Frank isn’t a man—he is really Sarah Emma Edmonds.

At only nineteen years old, Sarah had already been dressing as a man for three years and living on the run in order to escape an arranged marriage. She had tasted freedom, and there was no going back.

Eager to fight for the North during the Civil War, Sarah joins a Michigan infantry regiment. She excels as a soldier, and she even takes on the grueling task of nursing the wounded. Because of her heroism, she is asked to become a spy, cross
enemy lines, and infiltrate a Confederate camp. For her first mission, Sarah must once again disguise herself and rely on the kindness of slaves to help her do her job.

This incredible, true story of a brave young woman who makes an unlikely choice to fight for her country is one that should not be lost to history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705069189

Marissa Moss

Marissa Moss is the award-winning author-illustrator of more than 75 books, from picture books to middle-grade to graphic novels. She is best known for the Amelia's Notebook series, which has sold millions of copies. She lives in California.

Reviews for Nurse, Soldier, Spy

[madamepince · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Terrific. As usual from a biographer who knows how to write about women for children.

[jlaurendine-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A shortened picture book biography of a woman who accomplished many things in her time, this book is an incredible introduction to an extraordinary woman of her time. Sarah Edmonds was not only able to live and pass as a man in order to fight as a soldier, she was a spy, a nurse, and a litany of other things in the time of the Civil War. What an interesting character, and one I would personally love to find out more about!

[slbenne1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After acting like a young man for some time, mainly to avoid an arranged marriage, Canadian-born Frank Thompson decided it was time that she defend the country who gave her so much freedom, America. She made her way into the American Civil War, and eventually came to be a nurse. She was later asked to spy on the enemy, and she did so with litttle fear. She put herself into a vulnerable situation, and made herself an invaluable member of the Union Army.

[jpons-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the best books I have read during this course. I have never heard of this person before, but after reading this book I researched her and found more information. Sarah Edmonds came from Canada to the United States. During her travels, Sarah transformed into a man and went by the name Frank Thompson. After feeling like he owes America everything, Frank tries to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War. The army unfortunately tells Frank he is too young and will not let him enlist. After the Union needed more men, they didn't care about age and Frank was able to enlist in the army. Frank went on to do great things during his time during the Civil War, but one of the things that made him famous was he became a spy for the Union. Frank eventually got ill and after trying to return to the army realized he was to be shot and killed for being a deserter from the Union army. From that day on Frank went back to being Sarah Edmonds.

[dscalia-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Marissa Moss' NURSE, SOLDIER, SPY we are told of the real life story of Sarah Edmonds. Sarah runs away from Canada when her parents arranged her marriage, which she didn't want. She had lived in the United States for 3 years and was 19 when President Abraham Lincoln had just declared war on the southern states that had succeeded. She was turned down but eventually she was able to join the Union Army. First she learned to be a soldier and later was trained to be a nurse. Her life had meaning and she had friends for the first time in years. The book tells of the battles she was in. One day her chaplain asked her if she would become a spy for the Union Army. She agreed. She had many disguises and at times was "working" for the Confederacy. She loved what she did. She went on to write her memoir which sold 175,000 books the first year and eventually she was recognized as the only female veteran of the Civil War. (There were other women who fought in the civil War.) This is a wonderful book not only about the Civil War but about a patriotic woman of the Civil War.This book could be used in my unit on "Heroes" in 5th grade where each student selects a person they consider a hero. I will guide a student who is trying to find a hero to this book. It is a great book to discuss the qualities Sarah possessed. The book's glossary is beneficial and the reader needs to read the "Author's Note" This could also be a good read aloud book to a younger grade.

[jrlandry1410 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a really fantastic biography. It's told just like a story, complete with really cool illustrations! The story of a woman disguised as a man in order to escape an arranged marriage, and then in order to join the Union army. She (disguised as a he) becomes a war hero. There seem to be no words just right to describe this book, you just gotta check it out! They use regular font and then bigger font to make the dialougue really pop. It's crazy cool looking. Children will love this powerful female figure, the eye-popping illustrations, and the awesome action behind this totally true story. A great read aloud for history time. Just fantastic.

[klledet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Already posing as a man to escape an arranged marriage, Sarah Emma Edmonds fought for her country under the name Frank Thomson. She began as a training soldier, moved up working as a nurse, and then as asked to become a spy, crossing into enemy territory. In doing so, she became a civil war hero. This picture book provides the reader with historical facts that make for a great lesson. This is a book I would personally use during a read-aloud because it is very engaging, has a wonderful story line, and has great illustrations.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author Marissa Moss and illustrator John Hendrix present the amazing true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, AKA Frank Thompson, in this outstanding picture-book biography, successfully capturing both the excitement and adventure of their subject's life, and the tumultuous times in which she lived. Disguising herself as a man in order to escape an arranged marriage, Canadian-born Sarah emigrated south to Michigan, where she eventually enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War. A brave and fearless fighter, medic and spy, she experienced much hardship and danger, disguising herself variously as a slave, an old Irish woman and a Southern boy during her undercover missions into Confederate territory. Leaving the army in order to get medical attention for malaria - she was afraid that her secret would be discovered, if she went to an Army doctor - she was never able to return to the military, as "Frank Thompson" was listed as a deserter by the time she recovered. After the war, however, she worked as a nurse, and an advocate of veterans, going on to write an account of her life, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, and successfully campaigning for recognition of her service, and for honorable discharge from the Army.It's interesting to reflect that, although a number of women fought on both the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, Sarah Emma Edmonds is the only one to ever be officially recognized, given a military pension, and invited to join the Union Army veterans' association, The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Reading this informative and engaging biography from Moss, I am inspired to track down Edmonds' own autobiography, in order to learn more about her extraordinary story. I'd also be interested to read about other women involved in the Civil War, such as doctor Mary Walker (Union), first African-American Army soldier Cathay Williams (Union), North Carolinan fighter Mollie Bean (Confederate), and Cuban-born spy Loreta Janeta Velazquez (Confederate). That Nurse, Soldier, Spy has aroused such enthusiasm in me, both for its specific subject, and for the topic of women involved in the conflict of the Civil War, speaks volumes for its high quality as both a biography and history. The story here is both exciting and educational, and the artwork done by John Hendrix, whose own Civil-War-era picture-book biography of John Brown was likewise outstanding, is appealing. An afterword gives more information about Edmonds, as well as suggestions for further reading. Highly recommended to young readers who enjoy biography, or who are interested in the American Civil War.

[kathdavis54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In American History textbooks, students rarely get to read about women as soldiers in any war--let alone the Civil War. Young girls will enjoy learning about such a strong woman and the war stories will certainly appear to the boys. This is a great war story that gives extra details to the Civil War.

[ander23_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sarah Edmonds is a fascinating person and this book captures the excitement and adventures of her life wonderfully. Illustrations are bold and include typography based from Civil War posters, adding to the book's historical setting. The author's note and artist's note at the end of the book add depth to the experience. 5 stars.

[amandawaltz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. The story is full of impressive moments for Sarah Edmonds and I really grew to admire her as the story progressed. I will definitely use this book in my class as a n example of a biography. I might also use it in the midst of a unit on the Civil War, because women disguising themselves as soldiers did happen but it is rarely covered in school. Reading level: Age 8 and up

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Handsomely illustrated and designed biography of a fascinating, colorful character.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic story -- Sarah Edmonds is quite amazing. The book is very graphically exciting, too -- yummy typefaces.