How to Dodge a Cannonball — A Novel book cover by Dennard Dayle

How to Dodge a Cannonball

Adult • Historical
A Novel
Teenager grapples with identity Captured as a Confederate Explores the essence of honor Satire of the Civil War Union flag twirler's struggles

How to Dodge a Cannonball is a razor-sharp satire that dives into the heart of the Civil War, hilariously questioning the essence of the fight, not just for territory, but for the soul of America. It follows Anders, a teenage idealist who enlists and reenlists to shape the American Future—as soon as he figures out what that is, who it includes, and why everyone wants him to die for it. Anders finds honor as a proud Union flag twirler—until he’s captured, trying life as a diehard Confederate.

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Edition information

Book details

Publisher
Holt Paperbacks
Publication date
June 16, 2026
Print length
336 pages
Language
english
ISBN
9781250345653

Historical

Reader guide

What to Know Before Reading How to Dodge a Cannonball

How to Dodge a Cannonball is funnier than the Civil War should ever be. It follows Anders, a teenage idealist who enlists and reenlists to shape the American Future. Escaping his violently insane mother is a bonus.

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Reader connection

Readers connected to this book most often reflect Psychological Moral Explorer reader archetypes. Their strongest shared genre interests include Historical Fiction, Thriller, Self-Help, and Literary Fiction. They are commonly drawn to themes such as gaming, technology, Seeking Dark Psychological Tension, and Exploring The Fractured Self.

About the author

Dennard Dayle

Dennard Dayle

Dennard Dayle is a Jamaican American author who lives in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Princeton University and received his MFA from Columbia University. His short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker , Clarkesworld , Matchbook , the Hard Times , and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency . His first book was the short story collection Everything Abridged . Before taking up fiction and mischief as a full-time job, he was an advertising copywriter who dangerously flirted with stand-up comedy. He teaches as an adjunct at Columbia and recently made the rash decision to take up skateboarding.

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