About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with divided loyalties, peer pressure, or the realization that 'right' and 'wrong' aren't always clear-cut. This historical novel follows Jem, a young boy who joins the Union Army during the Civil War, not out of grand patriotism, but out of a confusing mix of family tension and a need to find his own path. It explores deep emotional themes of identity, the weight of guilt, and the complex love that persists even when families are on opposing sides of a conflict. Appropriate for ages 10 to 14, this story provides a safe space to discuss the heavy reality of making adult choices before one is fully ready. Parents will appreciate how it moves beyond dry history to address the internal struggle of a young person trying to stay true to himself while the world around him is falling apart.
