Alabama Moon

Alabama Moon is an amazing adventure story. It was published in 2006 but takes place in the 1970s. (I guess that's considered historical fiction now.)

Moon is the name of the main character in the book. He has lived most of his life in the wilderness of Alabama with his strange father who is paranoid about "the government." The paranoia is probably due to PTSD since the father is a Vietnam veteran.

When his father dies Brook, who has never known anyone else except for some slight contact with a storekeeper in a nearby town, must fend for himself.

Although he's only ten years old, Moon knows everything he needs to survive alone in the wilderness, but he's not able to stay there. The storekeeper let the authorities know Brook is orphaned so they pursue and capture him. Then he's taken to a locked home for boys.

Amazingly, Brook helps two other boys escape from the high security facility with him.

From then on the story keeps getting even more exciting as the boys try to survive and keep from getting caught.

This is a book that will appeal to boys, even reluctant readers, because of the exciting plot. It will also teach readers a lot about the wilderness and probably help them appreciate the homes and relationships they have. I recommend it highly.