IHS Press Releases Young Adult Novel About Shaker Teen During the Civil War

The latest release from the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) Press is a young adult novel about a Shaker teen during the Civil War. “A Heart Divided: A Shaker Teen During the Civil War” by Elizabeth O’Maley is the story of Anna Stewart, who was raised by Shakers in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, after being orphaned at age eight.

At 16, Anna is restless, pushing the boundaries of her cloistered life. Then, during the Civil War Battle of Perryville, more than one thousand Union and Confederate soldiers come through her village, and she meets James Cunningham, a young soldier who was a neighbor and playmate in her past life.

Anna and James talk and become close, even though it is forbidden by her Shaker religion. Anna’s growing feelings for James, as well as her desire to see her siblings and go where she wants to go, unsettle her mind and soul. While feeding armies and caring for wounded soldiers, Anna must decide if she will stay with her Shaker family or live her life in the world outside Pleasant Hill.

“A Heart Divided: A Shaker Teen During the Civil War” is available through IHS’s Basile History Market and other places books are sold.

With more than a century of experience, the Indiana Historical Society Press publishes books — from biographies to academic titles, such as the History of Indiana series, to beautiful coffee table books, such as “Mapping Indiana: Five Centuries of Treasures from the Indiana Historical Society.” The Press also publishes historical fiction for children, youth biographies and family history books. Educator resources are also available for many of the youth titles.

For more information about the book or IHS Press, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

About the Author

Elizabeth O’Maley (1947–2014) was a school psychologist in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana before authoring three books of historical fiction for students grades 4 through 12, published by the Indiana Historical Society Press. O’Maley also wrote a book for her grandchildren, “The World of Grace O’Malley: Irish Mistress of the Seas” (AuthorHouse, 2015), about their possible ancestor.

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Title:                           A Heart Divided: A Shaker Teen During the Civil War

Publisher:                    Indiana Historical Society Press

Pages:                         148

Size:                            6 x 9

Cover:                         Paperback

Publication Date:        July 2020

Cost:                            $9.95 (paperback)

ISBN:                           978-0-87195-441-1 (paperback)

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