Guerrilla Season

My 14 year-old son came home from school with this book, because of our family interest in the WBTS when our ancestors fought for the South. The book is nominated for the Children's Book Award in Georgia. When I saw on the back that it was written by a northerner I got suspicious. But I assure you the book is not just one more Yankeefied version of the war. If you have kids in school you know that most books about the war put Southerners in a bad light but this one is different. For one thing it shows Southerners who didn't own slaves. (Like my ancestors didn't.) Also the people in the book who do have slaves, don't beat or mistreat them. Guerrilla Season is about a boy named Matt who lives in Missouri, where they had heavy guerrilla activity through out the war. Matt is 15 and he to decide, will he go to fight for the South with Quantrill, or will he leave his home and stay safe with his family? (Fighting for the Union, NOT an option for this proud Southron boy!) The story is about everything that happens to Matt and his family, his neighbors and his friend Jesse through that summer, 1863. North and south, both do terrible things and the author is very fair in showing it. I won't say how it ends because until the last minute you can't be sure if Matt will change his mind. I can't say enough good things about this book. All the characters are so real, and for boys, there is alot of action. This is a great story for parents to read, along with their kids.

Guerrilla Season is one of the best books I have read in the last couple of years. It tells the story of Missouri during the Civil War in a way that makes the characters come to life. I could hardly put the book down once I started reading it. I would reccomend this book to both young adults and adults.

Guerrilla Season invokes so many feelings and emotions on many levels. You will be pulled and then transported right into the middle of the times, feelings, and circumstances of the story. Love, hate, anger, joy, frustration, grief, regret and so much more all integrate to make this story one that will keep you reading until the end of the book and keep you thinking about all you've read for days after. I hope to see more from this author.

I must admit the cover art did not attract me to this one, but the novel is a stunner. Wonderfully researched, even in its handling of the atrocities committed on each side of the Civil War's factions, and bringing the history of the neutral states to light, this book never disappointed. Matt's love of his Southern farm and his Northern born mother puts him in conflict immediately. His lifelong friendship with the fascinating Jesse (and what a surprise to find out Jesse's identity at the book's end), pushes Matt's conflict into a moral problem that puts Matt and his family at risk. What would his father have done? And more importantly--when does a boy begin acting on his own ethical compass rather than an adult's dictated course?Since it's necessary for a lot of information to be presented early in the novel to set the story--the start may seem just a tad slow for some teens, but that would be my only slightly non-glowing thing to say about this book. And, once that information is set, the book is galloping.Rich in historical detail, a page turner with terrific characters. A winner.

Since I'm not really into the Civil War, Guerrilla Season by Pat Hughes (Author), was not a book I'd expect myself to be drawn too. However, after a few chapters of this "warm" novel I had trouble putting it down. Hughes makes you feel in a very short time as if you're a part of the Howard family in 1863 Missouri and it's complexities of the Civil War. Fifteen year old Matt Howard, and his best friend "Jesse" are dealing with issues that would cause a fifteen year old in todays society to run and hide.A gripping story of a young man dealing with questions surronding his family, his best friend, his loyalty to his beloved South and taking care of his deceased Father's farm.Matt would rather farm than fight, but his best friend Jesse is already planning to join his older brother and fight for the South with Quantrill's Guerrillas. This puts their friendship on the line as Matt's mother is trying to protect her family by keeping them neutral.I found myself engrossed in the surroundings of the South. In the love,in the family, friendship and loyalty. When I was finished with this book, I wanted to pick it up and start over again. It was that good. I could go on, but you've got to find out the rest for yourself ! THIS BOOK IS FOR ALL READERS ! Young and old !Pat Hughes. Is there a sequel coming any time soon ?