Everyone asks this important question at least five times a day, What if? Cecil asks this question as he wonders if his Papa will ever return from war. What if he had to take care of his ma? What if his dad came home injured? All of the what ifs go through his mind every day he is alone, but he has a hope that if his Papa would return at least he would still be his Papa. ( )

This book would be great when learning about the effects of the civil war. It is sad to think that children had to think about these types of things, but it is important to see the war from all points of view.

When a child has a parent that goes off to war there life is obviously shuffled. They think about if they are safe all of the time, and if they are going to come back at all. This book I would recommend for children because it is indeed something children can relate too. I know many children whose fathers are in the military and away from home for most of the year. I like this book because it does keep you guessing about Cecil's father, and in the end it might not be the best ending, but it is indeed better than nothing! Great read. ( )

This is my third book by this author and it seems all three books are written for a specific purpose. This book was written to help a child face the obstacles that might be presented if a parent went off to war. I just do not care for these books at all. This book, along with the others are too specific in detail to be useful regarding their intentions. ( )

This was another great story by George Ella Lyon on loss and healing. It is so uplifting at the end when the boy talks about his father picking him up with only one arm. It shows that as long as you have your family and health that is all you need to be happy. It also shows that even if something terrible happens people are still the same in their hearts that we always knew them to be. ( )