The Deep Cut
Grade 6-8–Lonzo Rosson, 13, is thought to be slow (mentally challenged) and soft by his father. He craves Papa's approval and his actions are always directed to that end. A subplot revolves around the extended Rosson family of Culpeper, VA, and their involvement in the Civil War. When the war begins, Lonzo is too young to fight and doesn't want to as he sees no need to kill, but his two uncles enlist and his cousin runs away to join the Confederate Army. Their departure leaves his widowed Aunt Mariah to run an inn and a small farm by herself. Lonzo is sent to stay with her and help out. The family sees a lot of both armies, and the inn is taken over for officers' quarters by the Union Army. The story covers the war years, and readers see Lonzo maturing, but not changing in his belief that fighting doesn't solve anything. This story illustrates how civilians were involved in the conflict, how families were decimated, and how people valiantly tried, in the midst of it all, to carry on some semblance of a normal life. This story would work well in a group of supplemental or parallel reading choices. —Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SCCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.