Kings Mountain

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the weight of personal responsibility and the difficult choices involved in standing up for one's beliefs. While set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, the heart of the story is about a boy's transition into adulthood and his growing understanding of what it means to be loyal to a cause, a family, and himself. Francis leaves the comfort of his grandmother's tavern to face the harsh realities of the patriot struggle in rural South Carolina. Through Francis's eyes, readers explore themes of bravery, resilience, and the moral complexities of war. It is a grounded, realistic look at history that avoids glorifying violence, focusing instead on the emotional and physical endurance required of young people in times of crisis. Best suited for middle schoolers, this story provides an excellent entry point for discussing how history is shaped by ordinary individuals making extraordinary choices.