Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Charley leaves the gangs of New York City to join the Union army at 12 years old. He is anxious to have the opportunity to avenge his brother who died at the battle of Gettysburg. After months of training to become a drummer boy, he finally sees his first battle in the horrid Wilderness of Virginia. When he deserts his company and runs through the terrifying woods filled with the dead soldiers of Confederate and Union soldiers alike, he has no idea how he'll survive the journey to the West on his own. Then he meets Granny Jerusha Bent, who takes him in as little more than a prisoner. He's not quite sure what will become of his life ...
"In this powerful story, based on real-life Civil War records and memoirs, young Yankee deserter Charley Quinn learns that his flight from his first battle doesn't brand him a life-long coward. Rich detail ... readers will love this rousing epic."—Kirkus Reviews
