That’s what happens sometimes, you know. A situation’s fine, everything’s working out when suddenly, it’s all your responsibility, your problem. It’s on you now, but maybe, as in the new book, “After My Brother Sam” by James Lincoln Collier, someone else will ultimately pay for that mess.

It cost a lot of money for a headstone but Tim told his mother that getting one was something they had to do. Putting a marker on his older brother Sam’s grave was all that was left, and it made Tim burn with anger. Yes, he had to help his mother take care of their tavern. He had to at least try to keep her safe as she grieved, but he would get revenge for Sam’s death, one way or the other.

It wouldn’t be easy. British soldiers came to the tavern and stole their food. American soldiers tried to scam Tim’s mother. Neither side would leave them alone, even after Tim’s mother told them that she’d lost her husband and oldest son to battle.

That just made Tim angrier. Both sides of this revolution seemed equally at fault. They were equally to blame, and one day, someone would pay for Sam’s death. In the meantime, the tavern needed provisions, and so, taking their horse and wagon, Tim left his mother alone.

Local small towns were dangerous for a young boy with a horse. So was New York City, where Tim was robbed while he was trying to get food.

That was just about the last straw.

The only good thing was that he made a friend who offered to help around the tavern. The bad part was that a con man followed them home and he wouldn’t leave.

None of this brought Sam back. Provisions, a friend, a new day.

No, Sam was dead.

He would never come home again.

As the sequel to a Newberry Honor Award-winning children’s novel, “After My Brother Sam” picks up during the Revolutionary War, just hours after the first book left off, with deep sadness, heart-pounding action, danger, and a young boy whose anger goes untended. This results in a long-winded plot line and an aggravating ending that screams for another sequel.

Then again, that rant’s from an adult perspective. This book isn’t for adults.

And alas, author James Lincoln Collier died just a few years ago. Sigh.

Even so, for 8- to-12-year-olds, this novel about war and grief is relevant now. The shattering of Tim’s family isn’t all that he’s suffered, and as he thinks about the things he misses, young readers will see that his vengeful feelings are not misplaced. Seething anger at loss is an okay emotion, and kids may be comforted to see how it’s dealt with.

Your child may want to start with the first book in the duo before reading this one, but it’s not mandatory. For young historical fiction fans, this book will fit fine. Your child will want “After My Brother Sam” in their lap.

Terri Schlichenmeyer lives in Wisconsin with her two dogs and a collection of almost 20,000 books.