85 pages • 2 hours read
Harold KeithRifles for Watie
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1957A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith tells the story of sixteen-year-old Jefferson Davis Bussey, a Kansas boy who enlists in the Union army during the Civil War and rises from an infantryman to a scout, ultimately infiltrating the rebel camp led by Cherokee Colonel Stand Watie. Jeff experiences love, uncovers betrayal, and matures, questioning the efficacy and morality of war through his encounters with both Union and Confederate soldiers. The novel includes depictions of brutality and the harsh realities of war.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Harold Keith's Rifles for Watie offers a richly detailed narrative of the Civil War era through the eyes of a young soldier. Readers praise its historical accuracy and vivid character development. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it remains valued for its educational merit and engaging portrayal of history.
Who Should Read Rifles for Watie?
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with richly detailed settings and complex characters will appreciate Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith. Comparable to Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt and Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, this book appeals to those interested in the Civil War era and coming-of-age stories.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
910L