The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

1863: Twelve-year-old Homer Figg and his older brother, Harold, live with their uncle, Squinton Leach, "the meanest man in the entire state of Maine." When Squinton illegally sells Harold to the Union Army, Homer runs away to find his brother and save him from the war. As Homer makes his way south looking for Harold, he is captured by slave catchers, stars as the "Amazing Pig Boy" in a medicine show, flies off in a surveillance balloon, and is arrested as a spy. Back matter includes glossary of Civil War facts and slang. A 2010 Newbery Hoinor Book. A 2010 ALA Notable Children's Book.