Heartland

Sixteen-year-old TOM ALLEN's life is imploding. His father has banished Tom from his life but Tom's stepfather in entirely too interested in what he does. What makes it worse is that Tom's stepfather is usually correct. Tom's beloved grandma has a stroke, leaving his mother emotionally distant. His older sister too sophisticated to concern herself Tom's concerns. When he finds a chest in grandma's attic with letters and newspaper articles about his ancestors, he becomes fascinated with their lives in "Bleeding Kansas" in the days before the bloodies war in America History - The Civil War.
They face human and natural dangers, as they try to meld two broken families. With the help of family and friends, past and present. Tom comes to terms with the pain and possibilities of his own family.