Danny Drumm's Heroes

Danny Drumm is a fictional civil war drummer and while denied by the author (Robert Skimin) it appears he is loosely based on Johnny Clem. Johnny Clem was also a drummer boy in the civil war and considered a hero. The series is based on Danny narrating the history of the Americas to his dog Shadow. Shadow looks very much like the author's own dog - also named Shadow.

The first book tells AbOUT drummer boys and gives an introduction to Danny and Shadow. After the first book, the series takes the reader through the beginnings of our country chronologically. The history given is very concise which would seem limiting, but it helps students form a mental time line that fuller historical information might make vague.

There are currently 2 books released with another due December 2007. Book one is Johnny Clem and book two is the Spaniards.

Mr. Skimin plans on releasing 3-4 books per year with the series most likely numbering into the forties. The books were originally to be published by Barbed Wire Publishing, but Mr. Skimin has started his own publishing house, Sunland Books, LLC.

They are still published in hardcover, now from Sunland Books. 1

The writing in the series makes it easy reading for 3rd to 5th graders, but the writing style makes it a possible resource for those students who need low level high interest books in the upper grades.