The latest statewide serial story by Mike Peterson, Illustrated by Christopher Baldwin

It's 1864, and Betsy Harrington has one thing on her mind: Her older brother, Jim, a prisoner of war at the prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia. And life in Elmira offers few distractions, with the Union prison for Confederate soldiers right there in town. She can't understand why the war widow she works for and the former slave who is sexton of her church don't share her bitterness towards the rebel prisoners. That is not until the night Betsy is confronted with a young Southerner who shares her brother's intense desire to get home, and needs her help to do it.  

This story consists of 9 chapters approximately 900 words in length. Illustrations, a corresponding curricum guide, student graphic organizers, audio pod casts, an author's blog and a final statewide student essay contest complete the components of this multimedia project.

Audio Pod Casts

Encourage students to submit questions and comments about each chapter to the author's blog that corresponds with this story. All posts are reviewed before they are admitted to the site. Click here to review and submit entries to the "I Will Come Home" Author's Blog.

Also available for FREE is a virtual meeting with the author. Teachers are welcome to contact Mike Peterson directly at teachup@gmail.com to schedule this opportunity for their students.

To download a PDF copy of the Curriculum Guide click here.

For a set of Student Graphic Organizers click here for a set in Word or here for PDF.

Any and all participating student in grades 4 - 8 is welcome to enter the student quiz/essay contest associated with this story. Simply click here and take the quiz online. Or, if you'd prefer download a PDF or Word copy of the contest rules and paper version. Click here for a PDF or here for a Word file of the essay rubric to better understand how the essay response will be evaluated by contest judges. The deadline for entry in the contest has been extended to Friday, May 10.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this project such a success! This project was made possible through funding by the New York Newspapers Foundation and by generous sponsorship of the New York State United Teachers.

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