Super Short Summary

Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder follows Will as he leaves his hometown after losing his family in the Civil War to live with an uncle he deems a traitor for not fighting for the Confederacy. The story explores themes of self-awareness, different definitions of courage, and the value of hard work as Will learns to see the complexity of moral choices and earns respect for his new family. The book contains references to death, wartime violence, and the death of children due to both war and disease.