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.

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.

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.

Dark / Gritty / Emotional / Unnerving / Melancholic

- Gary Paulsen, known for his adventure novels and stories of survival, wrote Soldier's Heart to explore the psychological impact of war on young soldiers, drawing inspiration from real historical events and first-hand accounts.
- The title "Soldier's Heart" was a term used during the American Civil War to describe what we now recognize as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting the long history of this condition affecting soldiers.
- Soldier's Heart was Paulsen's effort to provide young readers with a lens into the harsh realities faced by soldiers during the Civil War, emphasizing both historical accuracy and emotional depth.

**Charley**  
A fifteen-year-old boy from Winona, Minnesota, who becomes an army soldier. He experiences the realities of war, which impacts his physical and emotional state profoundly.

**Nelson**  
A soldier in Charley’s unit, who is optimistic about the war and arrives as a replacement after Bull Run. His experience highlights the naive attitude of inexperienced soldiers.

**Charley’s Mother**  
Charley’s mother is initially supportive of his decision to join the army due to the prevailing belief that the war will be short and not particularly dangerous. She becomes increasingly worried and urges Charley to return home as time passes.

Gary Paulsen

Novella

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Soldiers Heart reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Soldiers Heart | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Soldiers Heart and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Soldiers Heart Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Soldiers Heart Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

Soldiers Heart Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-8

Soldiers Heart Chapters 7-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-10

Soldiers Heart Chapters 9-10 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Soldiers Heart Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Soldiers Heart Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Soldiers Heart Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Soldiers Heart Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Soldiers Heart Essay Topics

Soldiers Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Soldiers Heart?

Reading Age

Book Details