Mountain Valor Author:Gloria Houston, Thomas B. Allen (Illustrator) "Courage is not lack of fear. Courage is being afraid, but doing a thing anyway - because it must be done." — More than anything, Valor McAimee hates being told to act like a young lady. Instead, she wants to wear britches like her young cousin Jed and ride like the wind on her horse in the mountains. But it is the way of the mountain for men to ... more »be in charge. Until the day all the men are called away to fight in the Civil War, and Valor is left alone with only her mama and Jed, to look after the farm. Before leaving, Valor's father gives her his Medal of Valor, for which she was named, to bring her courage. With the men gone, the farm is not safe, and Valor must defend her home against raiding renegade soldiers. When a red-bearded soldier named Kirk invades the farm, violently injures Valor's mother, and steals all of their livestock, Valor knows that she must take matters into her own hands. Disguised as a southern boy, she enters the war, vows vengence, and in one fateful night lives up to her name.« less