A Hanging Offence

About this book

The sequel to Brothers at War finds best friends Jacob and Eli on opposite sides of the battlefield as the War of 1812 erupts.

Jacob and Eli may be blood brothers, but they are on opposite sides in the battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. While Jacob joins John Norton’s Mohawk band fighting with the British-Canadian side, Eli fights with the Americans. The Canadians win the day, but the victory comes at a great cost: the death of General Brock. Eli is captured and jailed. Because he swore the oath of allegiance to the Crown before he left Canada, his return with the invaders makes him a traitor. He is charged with high treason — a hanging offence. Can Jacob save his friend from the gallows?

Reviews

Praise for Brothers at War:

Nominee, Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, 2014

Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre

“A wonderful historical story. The reader will feel invested in the characters and enjoy the rise and fall of tension as the story progresses through an ebb and pull of loyalties and intrigue.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Readers gain an excellent understanding of the politics and events leading up to the war . . . The issues at hand are far from black-and-white, and Cummer doesn’t oversimplify or sugar-coat these problems.” —Canadian Children’s Book News