Rabbles — David Drake (1)

Rabbles: unconventional, common people, often looked down upon
Three exhausted teen boys form an odd alliance as they work their way north from southern Arkansas, away from the horrendous battles of the Civil War. Zachary, a wounded 17 year old Confederate soldier, is the rich son of a powerful plantation owner. Benny, also wounded, a Soldier from the Union Army, comes from a poor farm family in northern Illinois. Amos, is a runaway, teen slave boy wearing the only possession he has in the world â€" a pair of ragged, cotton pants cut off above the knees. The white boys are trying to avoid the firing squad for desertion from their respective armies. Amos would suffer a terrible fate at the hands of his owner if caught. Initially leery, untrusting and fearful of one another, they slowly form a bond and become a team working themselves north through Arkansas and up the Mississippi River to Illinois. They face constant danger from both armies, the bands of men dedicated to catch and return or resell runaway slaves, and the ravages of backwoods, nature. Along the way they listen to each other and they hear themselves. By the time they approached their destination, they had become very different young men â€" more mature, showing far more tolerance for and appreciation of differences, and feeling more focused on what was important in life. Among the recognized good reads in young adult fiction, Civil War historical fiction this novel comes loaded with more than a smattering of action adventure.