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Set in Civil War–era Iowa, this prequel to The Luck of the Buttons and Button Down introduces Grandaddy Ike at eleven years old. Ylvisaker weaves several strands--Ike's naive enthusiasm for war, his friendship with smart-as-a-whip Albirdie, his discovery of runaway slaves--with her trademark rambunctiousness, good humor, and delightful historical detail. A short author's note with historical background is appended.