Mountain Valor

by Gloria Houston

Book Overview

In this taut, unusually authentic novel (Kirkus Reviews), young Valor McAimee enters the Civil War disguised as a young southern boy and, in one fateful night, lives up to her name. 10,000print. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399225196
• ISBN13: 9780399225192
• Release Date: May 1994
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 8 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 3 and higher

Customer Reviews

Mountain Valor

Mountain Valor is written by Gloria Houston, and it is set in the Appalachian Mountains. Valor is named after a medal that her father received. Her father and one of her brothers were fighting for the South, while her uncle Tom and her other brother were fighting for the North. The family hated to be divided by the awful war. Jed was her cousin and he was Tom's son. He was left in North Carolina as the man of the house even though he was 10 and Valor was 11. Valor didn't like acting like a lady, instead she wanted to be out hunting with Jed but Savannah tried to put a stop to it. Valor had a special hiding place whenever the soldiers came to her house. Kirk (red beard) threatened her family and hurt her mama. Ever since this incident Valor wanted revenge. Later on, Valor cut her hair and joined the forces so that she could get revenge from the redbeard. She had help from the witch lady and changed her name to Valiant. She met a cook for the soldiers and his name was Randall and she ended up helping him cook a bear that he had killed. I think that Valor liked Randall because she said that she wished he knew she was a girl. She left the soldiers in the middle of the night and let the livestock that they had stole out of their pin. She went to the witch lady's house to sleep for a bit and then she finally made it home. She was ill for a while and she slept a lot. Her Papa finally came home and he was very proud of his little girl. I really enjoyed reading this book because it identified strong family ties. I have never been much of a history person, but this book helped me understand the lives of the families that experienced the hardships of the Civil War. Mountain Valor is a historical fiction novel that is based on a true story. Houston writes most of her stories from her own cultural background in the Appalachian Mountains. There are many instructional ideas that can be done with this book. You could keep a journal of what your feelings would be through these hard times. If you are female, you will write from Valor's point of view, and if you are male, you will write from Jed's point of view. You could also use this book to introduce a history lesson on the Civil War. Students will be able to understand Civil War lessons more effectively when presented with this wonderful novel. You should check out some of Gloria Houston's other great works such as; Littlejim's Dreams, Bright Freedom's Song, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, But No Candy, My Great Aunt Arizona, and Littlejim's Gift. These books are all historical fiction, and they resemble the lives of Gloria and her family members.

The Next Thing You Should Do is Read This Book!

I really enjoy the book Mountain Valor. I would recommend it to people who like adventure and excitement, especially about wars. This book keeps you at the edge of your seat, and you have to read on. You never know what's going to happen. In one exciting scene, the soldiers came into Valor's house and almost found her. I really like this book and would suggest it to you.

This is the most suspensful book ever made by Gloria Houston

Valor, a courageous and willing young girl, whose Father and Brother went to war and left Valor and her Mother at home tending the household out in the country, learns to become stronger and wiser in this book "Mountain Valor". While Valor's Father and Brother are away at war Valor is alone at home with her Mother. They go through many problems but somehow seem to realize that if they work together and always love each other they can complete any task! This book has received 4 and a half stars. The main conflict in this book is that Valor and her mother while at home must survive the wait until the ending of the war. Even though this book received 4 and ½ stars I think that it surely should have received 5! This book is recommended for ages nine to thirteen due to it's voilence and "mountain slang". I liked this book because it kept me wanting to read on and on! This book is filled with fun, danger, mystery, and even a little history! I certainly feel that this is one of the best books I have ever read

Mountain Valor- Best Book Ever

My daughter read this book in the third grade (she is now in the sixth) and has loved it ever since. I would like to mention that she has read To Kill a Mockingbird, and that she thinks that they are equal. She thought that it was very well written and that it showed very well how women were treated in the Civil War. Valor soon became one of her role models. This book is a little violent, but she loved in the third grade and she thinks if she was younger she would of loved it, but she watches the news every night, and she used to the crimes that some of the characters committed.

An inspirational tale of how one girl dared to be different.

From a Mother/Daughter Book Club in Charlotte, NC: The Daughters: This is a realistic book about a young girl named Valor who lives up to her name. We would encourage 11 year olds and up to read this book. There is a lot of violence in this novel. There is a lot of slang (mountain dialect) in this book also. This girl does a deed that helps her family survive.The mothers: This is an interesting book highlighting both the mountain life of the times as well as the distinction between boys' vs. girls' activities and duties. Be forewarned, however, that this book details the very worst actions of marauding Civil War soldiers, including violence against women. Overall, this was a worthwhile read.