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Twelve-year-old Edward had always thought he and Simon were friends, had never imagined life without his young companion and servant. But in the confusion of the Union army's arrival at the plantation, Simon runs off to freedom, and Edward's family flees to relatives in nearby Petersburg.

Within weeks, Petersburg comes under siege. Edward is unnerved by the constant shelling and worries ab... More

Twelve-year-old Edward had always thought he and Simon were friends, had never imagined life without his young companion and servant. But in the confusion of the Union army's arrival at the plantation, Simon runs off to freedom, and Edward's family flees to relatives in nearby Petersburg.

Within weeks, Petersburg comes under siege. Edward is unnerved by the constant shelling and worries about the safety of Father and Uncle Gilbert, who are fighting to defend the city. He misses Simon, and he chafes under the scorn of his aunt's servant. But when desperate courage and resourcefulness enable him to save his brother's life, Edward begins to recognize his inner strength.

Meanwhile, Simon has attached himself to the Union army, working at a variety of jobs to earn his keep. He hadn't known that freedom would be so lonely or so hard. As he faces loss, danger, and hostility, Simon begins to wonder if he'll ever find a place he can truly belong.

Told alternately from Edward's and Simon's points of view, Carolyn Reeder's powerful new novel explores the depth of friendship and the importance of choice as the two boys struggle to understand the meaning of courage and freedom.