Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil War Spy

By Carrie Jones and Mark Oldroyd

Sarah Emma Edmonds started pretending at a very early age. Her father only wanted sons, so Sarah pretended to be one. Unlike most kids, though, Sarah never really stopped pretending. In 1861, during the U.S. Civil War, Sarah pretended her way into the Union Army, becoming a male nurse named Frank Thompson. Being a nurse didn't quite satisfy "Frank," though. She wanted to keep her fellow soldiers from getting hurt. So when the Union Army needed a spy, she leapt at the chance. While still pretending to be Frank, Sarah also pretended to be a male African American slave, a female Irish peddler, and a female African American laundress. She slipped behind enemy lines time after time, spied on the Confederate Army, and brought back valuable intelligence to the Union. Sarah was not only good at pretending; she was also very brave. Later in life, Sarah Emma Edmonds wrote a book to tell her story. She explained, "I am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic." She was also truly a great pretender.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jan 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781467742221

Carrie Jones

Carrie Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of the Need series—which includes Need, Captivate, and Entice—as well as Girl, Hero; Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape); and Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend. She is the coauthor, with Steven E. Wedel, of After Obsession. Carrie lives in Maine with a scrawny cat, an obese cat, two tremendously large white dogs, and occasional pixies.

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Reviews for Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Terrific. It doesn't glamorize war, but it does keep the horrors mainly off the page. The complications of all that pretending are gracefully written up to be clear even to younger children. (Not littles, of course, but anyone who likes to play soldiers and spies.) The illustrations are of a style I didn't expect to like, but they certainly fit; don't miss the one on the back cover. Note and bibliography included.

Edmonds was truly an Outstanding Woman.

"I am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic--but patriotism was the true secret of my success."

[kdjones9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this biography of Sarah Emma Edmonds story. She lead a brave, thrilling and secret life. My second grade students were captivated by her story and wanted to learn more. The suggested biography list at the close of the story was a great resource as well. I utilized this story to introduce students to biographies.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great introduction to this fascinating character.

[scote23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story about a female Civil War spy. I had never heard of Sarah Emma Edmonds before, but I hope her story becomes better known!