The Last Full Measure

Rinaldi, Ann.  The Last Full Measure. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010.

ISBN: 978-0547389806 | Hardcover | 224 p. | $17.00 USD

Annotation: The Last Full Measure follows the life of Tacy, a 14-year old living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the Civil War.  The story focuses on the challenges she faces with her family off at war, and the aftermath of the terrible battle.

Awards / Honors:

- N/A

Wrap Back Booktalk: While her hometown of Gettysburg attempts to prepare for one of the most difficult and defining battles of the Civil War, 14-year old Tacy just attempts to keep her life a little bit normal. With her Father and two eldest brothers already off to war, she is stuck at home with her ever-optimistic but naïve mother and moody older brother David, and things are never easy. Since David was wounded as a child, he is unable to fight with his brothers and neighbors, and he hates not being able to help almost as much as he hates being in charge of the rebellious and strong-willed Tacy. He often takes his resentment out on Tacy, and she struggles to deal with this while still finding her way through an incredibly difficult time. Tacy and David discover just how much they also must sacrifice at home, as the soldiers on the battlefield give The Last Full Measure.