When the American Civil War breaks out, three young people—a farm boy who is an aspiring writer, a recently orphaned young girl, and a secretly educated slave boy—find that their lives are changed forever

As Gideon tries to recover his family's buried gold, Emily realizes she cannot tolerate slavery and determines to return to Illinois, and Nat tries to find his brother before attempting to escape again

Tells the stories of a boy who tries to save his family's farm by bringing a load of wheat to Richmond; an abolitionist girl volunteering at a makeshift hospital in Richmond; and an escaped slave who returns to Richmond to rescue his mother and sister

Three young friends including an orphaned northener, a poor southern farm boy, and a secretly educated slave encounter diverse but intertwining experiences during the Civil War in Virginia in 1862.

Gideon, a farm boy living in Virginia during the Civil War, overhears three men plotting a slave rebellion.

The chance of a dream is within reach... Gideon Tugwell sets out for Richmond, Virginia, to become a writer, but the newspaper job he was hoping for goes to another boy. He soon finds work, though, smuggling articles past battle lines to a Richmond newspaper. The dangerous assignment could land him in trouble with the Confederate authorities, but it's an opportunity he can't pass up. Emily Lodge's difficult relationship with her slave-holding cousin William finally reaches a turning point when she interferes one too many times with William's treatment of his slaves. Forced to leave Briarstone, Emily finds herself with no money and nowhere to go. If only she could obtain another pass that would allow her to go home to Illinois in time for Christmas... Nat Travis, working back in the house at Briarstone, becomes the target of jealousy and deceit from William's new body slave, Levi. When Levi frames Nat for stealing, William decides to sell Nat to the Deep South—where he would surely die young. Is Nat's hope for freedom forever lost? [back cover text] —- Book 6 of Between Two Flags. Arriving in Richmond, Gideon learns the writing job promised him has been filled. He soon finds work carrying messages across enemy lines. When word arrives that his farm is in danger, Gideon must decide to stay or go.