35 pages • 1 hour read
Gary PaulsenSoldiers Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers
Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 1998A 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
In Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen, young Charley Goddard, at just 15, enlists in the Union Army during the Civil War, facing the harrowing realities of battle, including the initial optimism, the grimness of combat, and the profound physical and emotional tolls that lead to enduring trauma. The narrative examines the impact of war on soldiers' mental health and includes topics such as graphic violence, death, war, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gary Paulsen’s Soldier’s Heart offers a visceral portrayal of the Civil War through the eyes of a young soldier. Praised for its vivid detail and emotional depth, the book effectively conveys the brutal realities of war. However, some readers find the narrative too intense for younger audiences and the character development somewhat lacking. Overall, it is a compelling yet stark read.
Who Should Read Soldiers Heart?
Readers who would enjoy Gary Paulsen's Soldier's Heart are typically interested in historical fiction with a focus on the Civil War. Fans of Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels and Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage will appreciate its vivid depictions of battle and the psychological impacts of war on young soldiers.