Marissa Moss

I was very moved by this powerful memoir of a family and marriage foundering under the weight of a terminal illness. The anger at the situation and each new development from both the ALS sufferer and his wife struck a chord with me; I could see myself reacting similarly if I were either of them. Moss very effectively depicts stress brought on not only by the diagnosis but the maddening pressure of the unrelenting series of decisions that have to be made thereafter and the second-guessing and show more recriminations that can follow each and every one. Popular culture too often shows us sainted terminal patients murmuring platitudes to their constantly loving and supportive families. I'm very grateful to Moss for sharing this warts and all account of the end of life.

Once I started reading, I could not stop until I finished the whole book, and the ending brought me to tears. show less

Author Marissa Moss and illustrator John Hendrix present the amazing true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, AKA Frank Thompson, in this outstanding picture-book biography, successfully capturing both the excitement and adventure of their subject's life, and the tumultuous times in which she lived. Disguising herself as a man in order to escape an arranged marriage, Canadian-born Sarah emigrated south to Michigan, where she eventually enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War. A show more brave and fearless fighter, medic and spy, she experienced much hardship and danger, disguising herself variously as a slave, an old Irish woman and a Southern boy during her undercover missions into Confederate territory. Leaving the army in order to get medical attention for malaria - she was afraid that her secret would be discovered, if she went to an Army doctor - she was never able to return to the military, as "Frank Thompson" was listed as a deserter by the time she recovered. After the war, however, she worked as a nurse, and an advocate of veterans, going on to write an account of her life, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, and successfully campaigning for recognition of her service, and for honorable discharge from the Army.

It's interesting to reflect that, although a number of women fought on both the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, Sarah Emma Edmonds is the only one to ever be officially recognized, given a military pension, and invited to join the Union Army veterans' association, The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Reading this informative and engaging biography from Moss, I am inspired to track down Edmonds' own autobiography, in order to learn more about her extraordinary story. I'd also be interested to read about other women involved in the Civil War, such as doctor Mary Walker (Union), first African-American Army soldier Cathay Williams (Union), North Carolinan fighter Mollie Bean (Confederate), and Cuban-born spy Loreta Janeta Velazquez (Confederate). That Nurse, Soldier, Spy has aroused such enthusiasm in me, both for its specific subject, and for the topic of women involved in the conflict of the Civil War, speaks volumes for its high quality as both a biography and history. The story here is both exciting and educational, and the artwork done by John Hendrix, whose own Civil-War-era picture-book biography of John Brown was likewise outstanding, is appealing. An afterword gives more information about Edmonds, as well as suggestions for further reading. Highly recommended to young readers who enjoy biography, or who are interested in the American Civil War. show less

Absolutely brutal. This was so beyond heartbreaking that I question my decision to read it--and I'm not someone who goes out of her way to avoid sadness and sad stories. I think this graphic-novel memoir will resonate deeply with anyone who's ever cared for a loved one with ALS (though I think it'd be really unwise to read it if currently caring for a sick loved one) and make them feel less alone. For everyone else it feels like punishment. I alternated between trying to power through just show more to be over with it fast, and reading only a bit at a time to (unsuccessfully) control feeling emotionally overwhelmed. My heart goes out to Marissa Moss and her three sons.

One star docked not for content but for text that was too often written in a confusing sequence. It's not always obvious which speech bubble is supposed to follow which, and I always read them out of order in these confusing panels. show less

Geez, Moss is the master of sticking a message in a book in a way that's palatable. Amelia is desperate for some Lightshade/Nightshade shoes, and her mom won't buy them. So Amelia's got to earn some money. I don't know how Moss sucks all the triteness out of a situation. Amelia knows that lots of times things don't live up to your expectations. She has some friends who tell her she needs the shoes to be cool, and other friends who are already wise enough to know it's not always good to do show more what everyone else is doing. Amelia's informed, determined, and ultimately, very wise. Awesome! show less