Armed men bang on farmhouse doors in the middle of the night, shouting “Union or Secesh?” The wrong answer can get you killed, but you never know which side is asking the question. This is Missouri’s Civil War, pitting Southern guerrillas against Union forces – and neighbor against
neighbor.

     Matt Howard is 15, old enough to choose a side. But he’d rather farm than fight. His beloved father was a Southerner, and tending Pa’s land is the next best thing to having him alive. Matt’s mother is from the North. To safeguard her six children, Ma insists that the family take the neutral position.

     For Matt’s friend Jesse, the path is clear. His brother is already riding with guerrilla leader Quantrill, and Jesse will soon be expected to follow. Jesse quotes the Bible and can’t abide cursing – but he will kill, if he must, to defend his homeland and his family.

     When the war intensifies, Matt’s mother decides to move back North. Matt is torn: Should he abandon his home, or his family? What about Jesse?

     And how can Matt ever return to Missouri if he doesn’t stay and defend it?          

 
Guerrilla Season:  
What’s the story?

For ordering info, click on book

 What is guerrilla warfare? GS_Guerrillas.html
 Jesse James, American boyGS_Jesse_James.html
 Harry Truman’s border backgroundGS_Truman.html
 Guerrilla Season and slavery GS_Slavery.html
 The Rebel TwainGS_Twain.html
  1. Junior Library Guild Selection

  2. Bank Street College Best Book

  3. Georgia Children’s Book Award master list