Gary Paulsen, Woods Runner

When the novel begins, Samuel Smith is thirteen-years-old. He has finely honed survival skills, and he provides his family's primary source of support with his hunting.

Samuel is morally opposed to killing others, and he is described as quick-witted and intuitive. When he joins the war, Samuel sticks by his beliefs and does not take part in combat, but rather, takes a supporting role hunting and helping in camp.