Historical Fiction

Casey Over There

Written by Staton Rabin, 1994

Casey Over There is a short children's picture book set in the time of World War I. This historical fiction books tells a story of a young boy whose brother was sent to war in France by the infamous Uncle Sam. The boy writes many letters to his brother, with very little replies, which worries him. One day he decided to write a letter to Uncle Sam asking him if he is done with his brother yet. To the little boys surprise he gets a return letter from President Woodrow Wilson. This is a really great story that is totally relatable to anyone who has ever had a loved one in the war, and it gives some hidden education to the reader. It shows the reader the location of one of the battles in WWI and tells the reader who was president during this war. 

Discussion Questions

• Who was President when you were born? What great things did this President do for our country?
• How long was WWI and what were they fighting about?

Motivational Activities

Have the students create a timeline of all the Presidents in our countries past.

Then have the students add the famous wars America was involved in onto the timeline to show them which Presidents served during these times. 

Other books by Staton Rabin

Mr. Lincoln's Boys: Being the Mostly True Adventures of Abraham Lincoln's Trouble-making Sons, Tad and Willie

Black Powder

Betsy and the Emperor

Rabin, S. (1994). Casey over there. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.