Road from Home — Nigel Hinton

A masterful novel of the promise of America Poland, 1870: Life is increasingly formidable for Leo and his family, with the threat of famine and war rolling over Poland. When Leo gets a job working at the manor of a local aristocrat, it looks like life might be getting better—until the aristocrat's son decides to take out his anger on Leo. So begins Leo's journey away from home. From encounters with thieving soldiers in the war-torn countryside, to developing a dangerous friendship, to becoming a thief on the streets of a bustling city, Leo's life will never be the same. His mission now is to find a new place to call home, where he can work his way out of poverty and away from war. When he hears of a perfect place across the sea, he becomes determined to sail away to the promise of America.