This Opening Sky - Kelly Hollman

Historical fiction at its finest! A sweet and sensitive, accessible middle grade novel in verse, following 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 form an unlikely bond of friendship and help each other find common ground and reach their goals through unexpected ways. Smart and relatable, this novel in verse cuts to the heart of young emotions, while illuminating what love and division look like through a child's eyes. Excerpts from the This Opening Sky: 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. Historical fiction at its finest! A sweet and sensitive, accessible middle grade novel in verse, following an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The Civil War is over. Aurelia, the daughter of a destitute plantation owner, reels from the aftermath of a war that has torn her life apart. Halle, a newly freed slave, looks for a family she fears is lost forever. When fate brings the two girls together, they head north in a joint quest for freedom: one from human shackles, the other from pride. Differences and judgment soon give way to an unexpected friendship between two girls who have more in common than meets the eye, as do we all. Heartwarming and life-changing, This Opening Sky is a tale of hope that proves that when love overcomes prejudice, we're all set free together. Excerpts from the This Opening Sky Aurelia My hands are torn, blistered and Historical fiction at its finest! A sweet and sensitive, accessible middle grade novel in verse, following an unlikely friendship in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The Civil War is over. Aurelia, the daughter of a destitute plantation owner, reels from the aftermath of a war that has torn her life apart. Halle, a newly freed slave, looks for a family she fears is lost forever. When fate brings the two girls together, they head north in a joint quest for freedom: one from human s