This Opening Sky
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.
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.
