After twelve-year-old Joey Kershaw's father goes off to fight the British, their South Carolina town is taken over by the redcoats, who use the Kershaw home as headquarters. Held prisoner in his own home, Joey plots revenge with a pistol he has hidden in a storage, or keeping, room. The solid historical novel grows in emotional power as Joey matures into a free-thinking individual.

As the Revolutionary War rages on, Joey Kershaw and his family manage their spacious home in Camden, South Carolina, while their father attempts to protect the town from British forces. But things don't go well for the rebels: In a fierce and bloody battle they are soundly defeated, and those who are not killed are taken prisoner- -including Colonel Kershaw. When the town surrenders and is placed under martial law, General Cornwallis takes possession of the Kershaw home as quarters for him and his officers. From the small room the Kershaws are allowed to stay in, they watch the construction of a gallows in their garden, where Colonel Kershaw will be hanged unless he joins the British forces. Myers (Spotting the Leopard, 1996, etc.) maintains her usual high standards for historical fiction, allowing the human drama to remain in the forefront of the story. Joey's vengeful actions result in the death of Captain Harkins, a British officer who showed the boy kindness; Joey moves beyond hatred, his opinions of war- -and slavery—forever changed. Finely crafted, the book offers a potent message, unfettered by moralizing, about war. (Fiction. 8-12)"

Gr 4-6--Although the basic material will be familiar to many readers of historical fiction--a young boy comes of age during war time--this is nevertheless a well-written and thought-provoking addition to the genre. Joseph Kershaw is almost 13 when his father goes off to lead the American rebels against the British. Soon the town (Camden, South Carolina) is not only occupied by the hated Redcoats, but Joey's house is also chosen to be the headquarters of General Cornwallis and his men. They are a rough and uncouth lot and, to everyone's disbelief and horror, they begin hanging colonial soldiers in the family garden. Joey must struggle with many conflicting feelings. Must he join in the surrender of the town? How can he suppress his desire for revenge against the British while his mother urges compliance? How can any cause be worth the slaughter of men? To his amazement, he comes to respect one of the enemy, a young captain who looks out for the Kershaws. Despite some obvious bows to political correctness--a subplot concerning Joey's growing distaste for slavery and his realization that his sister deserves the same educational opportunities as he has--and some stock secondary characters (the sadistic soldiers, the weepy but noble mother, the loyal slaves who are the only characters to speak in dialect, the pacifist Quaker teacher)--the story is bolstered by a likable and believable protagonist and sound historical details and atmosphere.--Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA