Synopses & Reviews
Johnny promised his father, wounded while fighting for the South, that he would take care of the family and not run off to fight. When there's a request to take his mules and wagon on a bold mission to supply the Rebel troops, Johnny can't resist. Then he's captured by Cush, a runaway slave. Johnny doesn't like taking orders from a black, but he has no choice. He's heading for prison camp wondering what will become of his family and himself.
Review
"It's the large canvas that will draw readers to the story, especially the facts about the battles in all their confusion and terror, though there is also some sense of the Southern kid who's not at all sure what he's fighting for. And no easy comfort is offered; whatever the outcome of the war, Cush and Johnny know that racism is still a bitter reality." Booklist
Synopsis
Johnny made a promise to his father, who was wounded fighting for the South. He promised to take care of the family and not run off to fight. Without Pa, Johnny's family can barely scrape by. But when there's an offer to take his mules and wagon on a bold mission to supply the Rebel troops, Johnny can't resist. Then he's captured by a Yankee--Cush, a runaway slave. Johnny doesn't like taking orders from a black. But he's got no choice. He's bound for prison camp, tormented by his broken promise and wondering what will become of his family and himself.
About the Author
James Lincoln Collier is the author of over forty books, which have been published in twelve languages, including Russian: he is the only American writer on jazz to have official acceptance in the U.S.S.R. His books on music include biographies of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, The Making of Jazz and Practical Music Theory, used in many schools. His articles on music have also appeared in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Village Voice, Wall Street Journal, and many others. He contributed major articles to the New Grove Dictionary of American Music and to Grove's Dictionary of Jazz. Collier has worked as a jazz musician around New York for many years, and has played with groups in a dozen nations around the world.