cover image GUERRILLA SEASON

GUERRILLA SEASON

Pat Hughes, . . FSG, $18 (329pp) ISBN 978-0-374-32811-5

Like Richard Peck's The River Between Us (Children's Forecasts, July 14), first-time author Hughes's strong Civil War novel depicts the plight of families caught between warring neighbors. Although his Missouri family "officially" takes a neutral political stand, 15-year-old Matt Howard secretly sides with the South. So does his friend Jesse, who plans to follow in his brother's footsteps and become one of Quantrill's boys (the Quantrill band "preferred to be called partisan rangers, and they answered to bushwhacker or guerrilla. But the Federals considered them outlaws"). Unlike outspoken Jesse, however, Matt keeps his opinions to himself. Since the recent death of his father, Matt's main interest has been running the family farm, a task that has become increasingly difficult as both Federal and Confederate soldiers terrorize his rural community. The author gives readers an unbiased, unromanticized glimpse of war as she slowly but surely relays a compelling story about courage and sacrifice. Adding a note of interest and authenticity, she fashions the character of Jesse after Jesse James. Her educated speculation of the gunslinger's childhood is as convincing as other intelligently wrought references to period songs, games and weaponry. History buffs will appreciate Hughes's accurate detailing of the events and moods of a tumultuous time. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)