Seventh Son: Orson Scott Card

This was sold as an "alternate history" book where the settling of the United States turns out differently in favor of the Native Americans, but I didn't see any of that in this book, which is one in a series. A little boy is born who is the 7th son of a seventh son, which is supposed to come with magical powers. The little boy's older brother is washed down a river and later dies while the family is relocating, but the brother stays alive long enough for Alvin Jr to be born. Throughout Alvin Jr's life water seems to try to kill him repeatedly. Due to a little girl's foresight during his birth (she buried his caul into the earth) the earth seems to try to protect the boy. The story is about his life and the forces of good and evil. In this time witchcraft is looked at with fear and loathing, but is tolerated. The book places with the idea of which I actually work for good and which is for evil because the minister's pulpit has the sign of the devil on it. Eventually the Minister tries to kill the little boy, but the powers protecting Alvin are too strong. This book ends before Alvin's childhood is over, which will be picked up in the next book.