Praise for THE DEEP CUT:
"Well-wrought characters, vivid historical details, and nuanced themes, such as Lonzo’s evolving opinions about slavery and Yankees, combine to tell a powerful story about the impact of the Civil War on ordinary lives."— Booklist Starred Review

"[The author's] ear for Southern speech is excellent, as is her understanding of her young, learning-disabled narrator. Despite writing for a young audience, Spain does not ignore the complexity of war...neither does she ignore the tragedy of despair and death; but she does show, through Lonzo, how adversity can make a person stronger. With its balanced and interesting treatment of the Civil War, THE DEEP CUT stands out among juvenile titles on this subject, making it a worthy addition to any middle-school fiction collection." -ForeWord Magazine

"[Lonzo] rises from the page as a believable and admirable character in a different story of [the Civil] war." – Kirkus Reviews

"...A historical novel of depth and value... a well-written novel, one that combines a strong coming-of-age tale with historical accuracy." – Children's Literature

"With threads of symbolism, family dynamics, and questions about bravery and war, this is a book to encourage discussion, especially as students are aware of modern war in the Middle East. Recommended." – Library Media Connection

"...an excellent job of capturing the world of Culpepper [sic] in the 1860's. Characters deal with issues such as slavery, the causes of the war, loss of life, Union predation in the Culpepper [sic] area, and possible starvation, matter-of-factly and accurately." – VOYA