One Big Open Sky

ISBN: 0823450163

Author: Cline-Ransome, Lesa

Condition: New

A Newbery Honor BookThree women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free-or cost them everything they have-in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement.1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they?ve strived for over generations on their very own plot of land.But Thomas? hopes-and mouth-are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger.Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn?t nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn?t no one tell us/how to live/how to die.Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery-but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas? desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there?Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome?s striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom.A Coretta Scott King Author Honor BookWinner of the Virginia Library Association Cardinal Cup AwardA Bank Street Best Children's Book of the YearA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionOne of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for KidsA CSMCL Best Multicultural Children?s Book of the YearAn ALSC Notable Children's BookA CLA Notable Children's Book in the Language ArtsSelected for the Rise: Feminist Book ListShortlisted for MPIBA's Reading the West Book AwardA BCALA Best of the Best Title

• Newbery Honor Recipient: Recognized for outstanding contribution to children's literature | Coretta Scott King Author Honor: Honored for exceptional work in children's literature by an African American author | Virginia Library Association Cardinal Cup Winner: Awarded for excellence in children's literature | Bank Street Best Children's Book: Selected for outstanding literary quality and cultural relevance | Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection: Chosen for high-quality, well-reviewed books | Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids: Recognized for significant contribution to children's literature | CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book: Honored for promoting diversity and cultural understanding | ALSC Notable Children's Book: Recognized for significant and lasting contributions to children's literature | CLA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts: Honored for excellence in language arts for children | Rise: Feminist Book List Selection: Chosen for promoting feminist themes and values | MPIBA's Reading the West Book Award Shortlist: Recognized for outstanding literature set in the Western United States | BCALA Best of the Best Title: Honored for exceptional work by a Black children's author