Billy Boy takes place during the Civil War. Billy Laird is a simpleton. His pa says, "His mind just don't work the way most folks' do." The book starts with President Lincoln receiving several letters from friends and family of Billy,asking for a pardon which Lincoln decides to give. Billy's story begins a while back, however. He and his friends live in Brunswick, Maine, when the recruiting officer arrives. Since all his friends sign up, so does Billy, not wanting to be left behind. Billy's parents fight his going, but since he is old enough, nothing can be done. Things go fine with Billy until he is separated from his friends and is moved to a separate division, where the other soldiers make fun of him for his lack of intelligence. Upset, Billy runs away from camp, and runs into Elijah, a runaway slave. Although suspicious at first, Elijah eventually trusts him enough to travel with him. He and Elijah work their way to Maryland, developing a close friendship. After getting help from "conductors" on the Underground Railroad, Billy makes it back to Maine, and Elijah heads to Canada. However, the army finds Billy at his farm. Will Lincoln's pardon arrive on time, and will Elijah make it to Canada safely? Read Billy Boy to find out.