This Opening Sky

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Novel in Verse: Aurelia, the daughter of a once flourishing plantation, must till the land herself tokeep herself alive. Libby, a freed slave, is working her way North to live a better life. Together they might just make a really good team

A moving and accessible, middle grade novel in verse, about an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Aurelia, the daughter of a once flourishing plantation, must till the land herself to keep herself alive. Libby, a freed slave, is working her way North to live a better life. Together they might just make a really good team.

Aurelia: My hands are no longer the hands of a young lady.  I drop my hoe and unwrap my bandaged fingers.They are torn, blistered and bleeding.  Nails, once perfectly manicured, now dirty and broken. The hands of a field worker.
Libby: I must find someone who will barter some eggs or a loaf of bread or a piece of meat for a day’s work. Trouble is, most plantations are either abandoned or already have too many mouths to feed.

About the Author

Kelly Hollman is the author of historical fiction for children and adults. When she's not exploring museums, historical sites, and cemeteries, she loves to travel, knit, and read, sometimes all at once. Kelly lives in Central California with her family, numerous dogs and cats, and a goat named Lucy.

Charlotte Watson Sherman was born and raised in Seattle, the Emerald City. She is a former librarian and the author of Brown Sugar Babe and Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps (Boyds Mills & Kane/Astra Books for Young Readers). She lives in southern California.