This is an engagingly written story about a boy during the Civil War. It is told from his point of view, with his street wise observations of the people he encounters. the story follows his journey to find his brother who has been sold into the army. How he copes with the difficulties and difficult people that he meets comprises the conflicts of the book. It also draws a good picture of what that the Civil War times were like. I enjoyed this and gave it to my 12 year old grandson to read.