"A boy with a highly original voice winces his way into the
bewildering world of adults during a neglected moment in American
history" (Newbery Medalist Richard Peck) in this heroic coming-of-age
novel.
Johnny Cannon's got problems. Money is scarce. Martha Macker, the girl
he likes, barely knows he's alive. His best friend Willie is pretty
great, but he also happens to be a black kid--which is not exactly
acceptable in Cullman, Alabama. His big brother Tommy went to war and
vanished. His Pa may be committing treason in their backyard. And just
when it seems like things couldn't get worse, an old family friend--or
maybe enemy--appears and shakes everything up. How's a kid like Johnny
supposed to get himself and his family out of a mess that's stickier
than molasses and twice as tangled as a spiderweb?