Browse everything in the Hattie’s War section of this site.
Tappan Howell Letters
Tappan Howell, Hattie’s uncle, was 19 years old when he was mortally wounded at The Battle of South Mountain in September 1862. He died two weeks later in a hospital…
Hannibal Howell Letters
These letters come from two sources: one, my cousin Lois Phelps Brown, who got them from her father shortly before his death. Two letters (the last two) from the Clara…
Engagements
2024 April 22-26 Artist In Residence McMurray Middle School Vashon, WA May 6 Watkins Glen High School Watkins Glen, NY May 10 Montour Falls Library Montour Falls, NY May 11…
AI Fails
Let’s face it: like it or not, AI is a fantastic technology… but it’s not perfect. I used several ChatGPT apps to generate images: Consistent Character GPT and Glibatree Art…
A Great Book Club Read
Rich Historical Context Engage with the Past: Set in the post-Civil War era, Hattie’s War immerses readers in a time of profound change and recovery in America. The novel offers a…
Teacher’s Guide
Overview This guide is designed to facilitate discussions and activities around Hattie’s War, a novel that immerses students in the post-Civil War era and explores themes of personal identity, mental…
Leveraging AI
Creating marketing and promotion material for Hattie’s War allowed me to dabble in AI finally, something I’ve been interested in learning about but never had a solid reason to give…
Book Trailer
You will note that Hattie’s character changes from scene to scene. At this stage of AI (and my ability to use it), creating recurring characters with the same appearance is…
Portrait and Letter Writing Project
Project Overview: Introduce students to the personal side of the Civil War through an engaging research and writing activity. In this project, students will step into the shoes of a…
Why Your Students Should Read Hattie’s War
In Hattie’s War, young readers will find a story that entertains and enlightens, encouraging them to challenge conventions, pursue their passions, and fight for their place in the world. It’s…
Themes In Hattie’s War
The Impact of War The profound effects of the Civil War on individuals and families are central to the story. It explores how the war alters lives, shaping the future…
Audio Book Sample
Chapter 2 – “There Was Nothing Good About Dying” Narrated by Bridget Simmons
Curriculum Standards
“Hattie’s War” provides a rich, multidimensional learning experience that aligns with curriculum standards in English Language Arts and Social Studies. Its historical context, combined with emotional and literary depth, allows…
Why Hattie’s War?
Intentional historical and cultural detail: The story is filled with social, cultural, and historical references intentionally built into the narrative. Readers discover factual information about 19th-century America, the war, and…