Hold the Flag High: The True Story of the First Black Medal of Honor Winner

By Catherine Clinton

Book Overview

The true story of the first Black Medal of Freedom winner--a remarkable account of one of the most memorable battles in Civil War history.

Sergeant William H. Carney was one of the few Black officers of the newly formed Massachusetts Fifty-fourth Regiment--composed entirely of Black soldiers. In an important Civil War battle, Carney led his men over the ramparts of Fort Wagner, where Union soldiers charged the Confederates. As they fought, they gained strength from the stars and stripes of the American flag, Old Glory.

It was Carney's vow to never let Old Glory touch the ground, and despite several gunshot wounds, he was able to rescue the flag from the fallen bearer.

Carney held the flag high as a symbol that his regiment would never submit to the Confederacy. The battle of Fort Wagner decimated the Fifty-fourth Regiment, but Carney's heroism that night inspired all who survived.

This nonfiction picture book is authored by Catherine Clinton, the Denman Chair of American History at the University of Texas in San Antonio, and beautifully illustrated by Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Shane W. Evans.

"Captures the fear and horror of battle as well as the bravery of the soldiers."--Booklist

"An excellent resource to humanize textbook studies of the Civil War." --School Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060504307
• ISBN13: 9780060504304
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.4" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Inspirational

This book is the story about the Massachusetts 54th Regiment during the Civil War, which was all African American. This book appears to be designed for early elementary students, but the nature of the artwork would be appealing to older students, including English language learners. This perspective story could be an excellent way to engage students to talk about the Civil War, ethnicity, bigotry, exclusion, and tough diversity issues.

A Real Flag Waver

A stirring, patriotic and yet perhaps little known story of a Civil War battle. I found it too mature for younger than 7-year olds, but with some background information it could be read to them effectively. The 2nd graders I read to were very interested but puzzled when they found the battle had been lost. They cheered up to see the actual photo of the hero and to hear the war was eventually won. Third to sixth graders will enjoy reading it for themselves and may be encouraged to seek out more Civil War history.