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With America under attack from within, twelve-year-old James must fight his way to freedom while trying to hold onto his values and virtue.

"We are all given a space in life to fill, a roaring emptiness in time... and it's how you choose to fill that void, that will determine the difference in becoming a man or a legend."

That's what my father said to me a few years ago before he walked out on Mom, Emily, and me. If I would have had any sense back then, I would have asked him exactly what that meant.

Instead, I'm out here learning it the hard way - dodging bullets and bombs while America is at war - my friends fighting back with all we have, while trying to keep these orphaned children safe and our dreams alive.

They call us The Risers. Well, okay... so we call ourselves "The Risers." But either way, we're out here doing everything we can just to survive and rise up from our nation's ashes with honor, integrity, and justice.

Now, with smoky memories of a lost childhood, and the horrible, lingering, cardboard taste of MRE crackers (still left over from living in Dad's bomb shelter), my mini army and me march forward, taking back what was once taken for granted.

But to be honest, I'm really just out here winging it. Wish me luck.

Praise for When a Boy Becomes a Legend

"Sheltered: When a Boy Becomes a Legend by Jacob Paul Patchen is a story that rallies your spirit and lifts your soul as the children left to defend our great country step forward to fight... This well-written novel has the suspense and action of a thriller, yet it leaves you hopeful when our children are put to the test."-Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

"An original and compelling work of dystopian fiction."-SPR

"...a great book for teens that like science fiction and apocalyptic stories with non-stop action and drama. The ending was unexpected-in a good way-I just wasn't ready for the story to be over and hopefully there will be more to come."-Reader Views Kids

"This is a story about a boy's unbreakable spirit and indomitable courage in the face of an unimaginable situation and of the horror of war. As James and his comrades burrow deeper into the conflict, they discover the men they hope to become and forge a bond of brotherhood. Sheltered: When a Boy Becomes a Legend is a stunning story of strength, perseverance, and love."-Dave H., Authors Reading