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One Big Open Sky
Three 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 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.
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 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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
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February 25, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Excellent middle grade historical fiction novel in verse! Set in 1879, One Big Open Sky follows three Black women/young women (Lettie really begins the novel as a girl but is starting to come of age through the narrative) on a journey to resettle in Nebraska where land was being given to Black families willing to work the land there. While the verse makes this a fairly quick read, it is both harrowing and inspiring to read about the challenges and experiences of these families. There is death and loss, hardship and illness, but also persistence in fighting for opportunity. Lettie is also in the complicated position of loving her father and seeing the good in him, but also beginning to see his shortcomings.
Reminiscent of other "pioneer" narratives that tend to be overwhelmingly white, this is a welcome change and peek into a less talked about part of history. One downside is that this doesn't really reckon with how settling this land intersects with colonization and the displacement of indigenous people. It at least improves upon similar stories that posit Native Americans as "savages" with a line of dialogue suggesting that they only mess with you if you give them a reason to first. But I still think for this age group we could include something dealing with the larger realities of what was going on. Overall though, I really like this and would recommend it. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Excellent middle grade historical fiction novel in verse! Set in 1879, One Big Open Sky follows three Black women/young women (Lettie really begins the novel as a girl but is starting to come of age through the narrative) on a journey to resettle in Nebraska where land was being given to Black families willing to work the land there. While the verse makes this a fairly quick read, it is both harrowing and inspiring to read about the challenges and experiences of these families. There is death and loss, hardship and illness, but also persistence in fighting for opportunity. Lettie is also in the complicated position of loving her father and seeing the good in him, but also beginning to see his shortcomings.
Reminiscent of other "pioneer" narratives that tend to be overwhelmingly white, this is a welcome change and peek into a less talked about part of history. One downside is that this doesn't really reckon with how settling this land intersects with colonization and the displacement of indigenous people. It at least improves upon similar stories that posit Native Americans as "savages" with a line of dialogue suggesting that they only mess with you if you give them a reason to first. But I still think for this age group we could include something dealing with the larger realities of what was going on. Overall though, I really like this and would recommend it. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
March 31, 2024
One Big Open Sky by Lesa Kline-Ransom (March 2024, Holiday House) is a free verse historical fiction novel about Black covered wagon pioneers in 1879. It features a young Black girl and her family, told from her perspective and that of her mother and another young woman. They journey from a sharecropping atmosphere in Mississippi to the open territory of Nebraska in a covered wagon. The journey is dangerous and difficult, but these young women find the strength to persevere and stand up to the men around them as they succeed in their journey and face the future.
It’s such a great premise and the characters are strong. But I found the book tedious to read. The free verse was almost completely devoid of punctuation. Dialogue is presented in italics. Without punctuation it was sometimes hard to follow who was speaking. The narration alternated among the three women. Although I liked the characters, the story, and the setting, the structure just made it difficult to read. I’ve read plenty of free verse novels, but this was not my style. The stanzas were too devoid of structure.
It’s such a great premise and the characters are strong. But I found the book tedious to read. The free verse was almost completely devoid of punctuation. Dialogue is presented in italics. Without punctuation it was sometimes hard to follow who was speaking. The narration alternated among the three women. Although I liked the characters, the story, and the setting, the structure just made it difficult to read. I’ve read plenty of free verse novels, but this was not my style. The stanzas were too devoid of structure.
April 7, 2024
I grew up playing endless rounds of Oregon Trail. I loved seeing all the ways one could die on the journey, but I also loved planning the trip, and doing all the shopping to figure out what we'd need to survive. That game imprinted on me, and I often turn to stories about people journeying out west to start a new life as homesteaders. I haven't read many, however, that feature an all-black cast of characters.
Lesa Cline-Ransome wrote one of my absolute favorite books last year, For Lamb, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. The story begins with a family starting their journey west from Mississippi. We read from 3 perspectives - Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and a young teacher Philomena. I was surprised and pleased at how much depth the author put into this story. Novels in verse don't always work for me, I often find they need more story and can sometimes be hard to follow. But this story was so good I frequently forgot that I was even reading a novel in verse.
I think this would be a great addition to any US History curriculum or pioneering unit. I think it is best for ages 12+
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Lesa Cline-Ransome wrote one of my absolute favorite books last year, For Lamb, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. The story begins with a family starting their journey west from Mississippi. We read from 3 perspectives - Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and a young teacher Philomena. I was surprised and pleased at how much depth the author put into this story. Novels in verse don't always work for me, I often find they need more story and can sometimes be hard to follow. But this story was so good I frequently forgot that I was even reading a novel in verse.
I think this would be a great addition to any US History curriculum or pioneering unit. I think it is best for ages 12+
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Shelved as '2024_dnf'
March 25, 2024DNF @ 40% | completely in verse, almost no punctuation. Not a style I enjoy unfortunately.
December 10, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this novel in verse, Lettie thinks that her family is doing fairly well in 1879 Mississippi, even though her father struggles a bit with the land that they farm. Her father, however, struggles with the fact that his family were sold away from him when they were enslaved, and isn't happy to have to work land that doesn't belong to him. When he decides to head west to Nebraska to stake his claim there, Lettie, her brothers Elijah and Silas, and her mother, Sylvia are uprooted. The family prepares a wagon with all of their supplies, and makes arrangements to get out west. Sylvia is dismayed to leave her family, especially since she is pregnant. The journey doesn't go well, starting with the fact that the ship on which they are supposed to sail up the Mississippi river won't let their family on because they are Black. They also underestimate the supplies that they will need, and end up having to restock in Independence, Missouri where things are very expensive. They are lucky to have a teacher, Philomena, agree to pay them in exchange for riding in their wagon with them. She is leaving a difficult home life for a teaching job and ends up being a very helpful member of the group, helping out with cooking and various tasks. Lettie adopts the dog of one settler who perishes, and Sutter never leaves her side. The trail west was fraught with all sorts of dangers, and Lettie's family experiences many of them, including a tragedy that puts the family's future in jeopardy. I would love to see a second book that details Lettie's new life in Nebraska.
Strengths: It is always interesting to see different perspective for historical events, like Schwabach's Starting from Seneca Falls, and Cline-Ransom does a great job of weaving in details about the prejudice and racism Black people faced in the post Civil War South with an exploration of the difficulties of traveling west. The vast amount of walking, the limited food supplies, the dangerous river crossings, and the various other threats to survival are all fascinating; I loved this type a book when I was in elementary school because I liked to think how I would fare under similar circumstances. Lettie is keeping notes about the journey and logging costs, and I love how interested she is in the one newspaper that her father buys for her. Philomena is a fantastic character who is taking control of her own life, and even finding romance with another traveler who accepts her as an equal. The challenges of the journey are not sugar coated at all, and young readers who perhaps have never played the Oregon Trail computer game will be shocked at the lack of amenities. Survival stories are always popular with middle grade readers, and I think that Lettie's experiences will appeal to many of them.
Weaknesses: While there was some mention of the Native American population with modern sensitivities in mind, I was expecting a lot more. The verse format doesn't allow as much background history to be included, and I wonder if younger readers who aren't as familiar with westward migration will need some nonfiction support for this title.
What I really think: Carr's 1934 Children of the Covered Wagon was one of my favorite books in the 4th grade, so this was quite a treat for me. Hand this to readers who enjoyed Park's Prairie Lotus , Philbrick's Stay Alive, or Nolen's Hope's Path to Glory: The Story of a Family's Journey on the Overland Trail.
In this novel in verse, Lettie thinks that her family is doing fairly well in 1879 Mississippi, even though her father struggles a bit with the land that they farm. Her father, however, struggles with the fact that his family were sold away from him when they were enslaved, and isn't happy to have to work land that doesn't belong to him. When he decides to head west to Nebraska to stake his claim there, Lettie, her brothers Elijah and Silas, and her mother, Sylvia are uprooted. The family prepares a wagon with all of their supplies, and makes arrangements to get out west. Sylvia is dismayed to leave her family, especially since she is pregnant. The journey doesn't go well, starting with the fact that the ship on which they are supposed to sail up the Mississippi river won't let their family on because they are Black. They also underestimate the supplies that they will need, and end up having to restock in Independence, Missouri where things are very expensive. They are lucky to have a teacher, Philomena, agree to pay them in exchange for riding in their wagon with them. She is leaving a difficult home life for a teaching job and ends up being a very helpful member of the group, helping out with cooking and various tasks. Lettie adopts the dog of one settler who perishes, and Sutter never leaves her side. The trail west was fraught with all sorts of dangers, and Lettie's family experiences many of them, including a tragedy that puts the family's future in jeopardy. I would love to see a second book that details Lettie's new life in Nebraska.
Strengths: It is always interesting to see different perspective for historical events, like Schwabach's Starting from Seneca Falls, and Cline-Ransom does a great job of weaving in details about the prejudice and racism Black people faced in the post Civil War South with an exploration of the difficulties of traveling west. The vast amount of walking, the limited food supplies, the dangerous river crossings, and the various other threats to survival are all fascinating; I loved this type a book when I was in elementary school because I liked to think how I would fare under similar circumstances. Lettie is keeping notes about the journey and logging costs, and I love how interested she is in the one newspaper that her father buys for her. Philomena is a fantastic character who is taking control of her own life, and even finding romance with another traveler who accepts her as an equal. The challenges of the journey are not sugar coated at all, and young readers who perhaps have never played the Oregon Trail computer game will be shocked at the lack of amenities. Survival stories are always popular with middle grade readers, and I think that Lettie's experiences will appeal to many of them.
Weaknesses: While there was some mention of the Native American population with modern sensitivities in mind, I was expecting a lot more. The verse format doesn't allow as much background history to be included, and I wonder if younger readers who aren't as familiar with westward migration will need some nonfiction support for this title.
What I really think: Carr's 1934 Children of the Covered Wagon was one of my favorite books in the 4th grade, so this was quite a treat for me. Hand this to readers who enjoyed Park's Prairie Lotus , Philbrick's Stay Alive, or Nolen's Hope's Path to Glory: The Story of a Family's Journey on the Overland Trail.
February 18, 2024
Thank you so much to Holiday House and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Lettie and her family have a big change ahead of them as they start the trail from Mississippi to Nebraska to start a free life just for them. But the journey is long, it’s rough and not easy at all. Many sad and scary things happen throughout all to get to the promised land.
This was beautiful, harrowing, heartbreaking, and vivid. I was so swept away by this story and the wonderful characters we meet on this journey. I was expecting I would enjoy this story as I’ve read another book on this same topic of history and adored it, but I didn’t know I would fall so in love with this story and its characters.
Lettie our main protagonist a young black girl in 1879 tells us most of the story through her perspective, she starts off a very shy quiet girl with so much she wants to learn, so many thoughts in her head and so much sadness at leaving her beloved best friend behind. Throughout this journey she grows so much, she learns so much and becomes so strong and so brave. I really enjoyed her telling most of the story she was such an open girl, she had so many emotions and goes through so much loss in such a short space of time. She didn’t know once what was at the end of their journey but she loved her daddy and his dream.
We also met Philomena and Sylvia who were the other two protagonists sharing the journey from their perspective’s. I really enjoyed having their additions to it, learning their lives, who they were and how this journey was for them. Sylvia had to leave everything behind, she hadn’t ever thought about leaving and starting over, she hadn’t ever had to think on her own before, but after an accident she is left to be the lead caretaker of her kids and this journey , she becomes so much stronger even though she was heavily pregnant through the journey. Philomena who joins us further into the story is travelling to become a teacher, she’s always fended for herself, taught and worked alongside each other and become an independent woman. I really liked the contrast between these two and how they became family and helped each other so much.
This story told in verse was written so beautifully, it was stunning all the way through. I honestly really loved it from start to finish. I honestly could have read another load of it, of their journey as they tried settling into their new lives, of setting up their lands and how they grew and lived, but I suppose that would be a whole separate book. However I would read it as it would be as beautiful as this one was I’m sure.
This is such an important part of history, everyone knows about the Oregon trail but I’m certain not many people know about the black folks that travelled from Mississippi to Nebraska and the harrowing and long journey they all went on to find the promised land. This book is a perfect story for sharing that history, I think it’s a story that children studying history should read and should learn. I also think it’s suitable for anyone who wants to learn and enjoy reading about history to enjoy. It’s so beautifully done, it flowed well the characters were wonderful and it’s so easy to read.
Lettie and her family have a big change ahead of them as they start the trail from Mississippi to Nebraska to start a free life just for them. But the journey is long, it’s rough and not easy at all. Many sad and scary things happen throughout all to get to the promised land.
This was beautiful, harrowing, heartbreaking, and vivid. I was so swept away by this story and the wonderful characters we meet on this journey. I was expecting I would enjoy this story as I’ve read another book on this same topic of history and adored it, but I didn’t know I would fall so in love with this story and its characters.
Lettie our main protagonist a young black girl in 1879 tells us most of the story through her perspective, she starts off a very shy quiet girl with so much she wants to learn, so many thoughts in her head and so much sadness at leaving her beloved best friend behind. Throughout this journey she grows so much, she learns so much and becomes so strong and so brave. I really enjoyed her telling most of the story she was such an open girl, she had so many emotions and goes through so much loss in such a short space of time. She didn’t know once what was at the end of their journey but she loved her daddy and his dream.
We also met Philomena and Sylvia who were the other two protagonists sharing the journey from their perspective’s. I really enjoyed having their additions to it, learning their lives, who they were and how this journey was for them. Sylvia had to leave everything behind, she hadn’t ever thought about leaving and starting over, she hadn’t ever had to think on her own before, but after an accident she is left to be the lead caretaker of her kids and this journey , she becomes so much stronger even though she was heavily pregnant through the journey. Philomena who joins us further into the story is travelling to become a teacher, she’s always fended for herself, taught and worked alongside each other and become an independent woman. I really liked the contrast between these two and how they became family and helped each other so much.
This story told in verse was written so beautifully, it was stunning all the way through. I honestly really loved it from start to finish. I honestly could have read another load of it, of their journey as they tried settling into their new lives, of setting up their lands and how they grew and lived, but I suppose that would be a whole separate book. However I would read it as it would be as beautiful as this one was I’m sure.
This is such an important part of history, everyone knows about the Oregon trail but I’m certain not many people know about the black folks that travelled from Mississippi to Nebraska and the harrowing and long journey they all went on to find the promised land. This book is a perfect story for sharing that history, I think it’s a story that children studying history should read and should learn. I also think it’s suitable for anyone who wants to learn and enjoy reading about history to enjoy. It’s so beautifully done, it flowed well the characters were wonderful and it’s so easy to read.
February 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink, and Lesa Cline-Ransome for the opportunity to read One Big Open Sky in exhange for an honest review.
This book is a hi-lo novel-in-verse, meaning it has high engagement and low readability level for readers. I read a ton of hi-lo, and this one was hard to get into. It didn't have quite the same rhythm as others I have read and took me a lot longer to finish than I expected.
The novel follows three women: Sylvia, a mom; Lettie, Sylvia's daughter; and Philomena, a young woman taking on a new teaching job. Coming from the Eastern states, they, among other families, seek a new life in the West, where colored people are more integrated and treated better, and where there are more plentiful opportunities for families to own and operate their own land. It's a long journey to North Platte, Nebraska, and the group encounters many hardships along the way.
The three women all share their perspectives of the journey and their thoughts on their hardships, including their wagons being attacked, their food supplies running low, hazardous weather, and loosing friends and family to death.
My favorite of the three is Philomena. She is a young woman, unmarried, really just seeking a new life as a teacher, but also learning she might be interested is marriage after all. She also proves a mentor/role model for Lettie and some of the other children, not afraid to speak what she thinks and encourage the youth to do so as well.
The reader also gets to experience the mother/daughter relationship dynamic between Lettie and Sylvia. Lettie isn't the only child; she has two brothers too, though there is an emphasis on the power women can have without having to rely on men. Lettie finds and takes in a little dog, Sutter, and the relationship there is a special experience as well.
While not quite as easy to read as the greater majority of hi-lo's I have read, this novel offers a plethora of historical elements. It is a bit harder to picture or imagine some of what is going on in relation to the historical context, but there are certainly times, like crossing a river or braving harsh weather, where it is very evident the differences these people had to face in their travels compared to how the world is today. I actually really liked the end as well; it offers an insight into how people of color were viewed at the time, even in what might have been seen as a more liberal state, adding further weight to the importance of the historical elements in this novel.
This novel can make for a nice addition to any middle school library or even be taught in a middle school class. With guidance through the novel, there is so much for a young reader to learn.
This book is a hi-lo novel-in-verse, meaning it has high engagement and low readability level for readers. I read a ton of hi-lo, and this one was hard to get into. It didn't have quite the same rhythm as others I have read and took me a lot longer to finish than I expected.
The novel follows three women: Sylvia, a mom; Lettie, Sylvia's daughter; and Philomena, a young woman taking on a new teaching job. Coming from the Eastern states, they, among other families, seek a new life in the West, where colored people are more integrated and treated better, and where there are more plentiful opportunities for families to own and operate their own land. It's a long journey to North Platte, Nebraska, and the group encounters many hardships along the way.
The three women all share their perspectives of the journey and their thoughts on their hardships, including their wagons being attacked, their food supplies running low, hazardous weather, and loosing friends and family to death.
My favorite of the three is Philomena. She is a young woman, unmarried, really just seeking a new life as a teacher, but also learning she might be interested is marriage after all. She also proves a mentor/role model for Lettie and some of the other children, not afraid to speak what she thinks and encourage the youth to do so as well.
The reader also gets to experience the mother/daughter relationship dynamic between Lettie and Sylvia. Lettie isn't the only child; she has two brothers too, though there is an emphasis on the power women can have without having to rely on men. Lettie finds and takes in a little dog, Sutter, and the relationship there is a special experience as well.
While not quite as easy to read as the greater majority of hi-lo's I have read, this novel offers a plethora of historical elements. It is a bit harder to picture or imagine some of what is going on in relation to the historical context, but there are certainly times, like crossing a river or braving harsh weather, where it is very evident the differences these people had to face in their travels compared to how the world is today. I actually really liked the end as well; it offers an insight into how people of color were viewed at the time, even in what might have been seen as a more liberal state, adding further weight to the importance of the historical elements in this novel.
This novel can make for a nice addition to any middle school library or even be taught in a middle school class. With guidance through the novel, there is so much for a young reader to learn.
February 7, 2024
This is an outstanding middle-grade novel in verse of a pioneer family journeying from Louisiana to Nebraska in search of a land to call their own and home.
A lyrical novel filled with emotion in the voices of three relevant women and perspectives.
Young Lettie is full of curiosity, and passion for learning, writing, and reading. She is always paying attention to every detail and taking notes.
Her mother Sylvia encourages her daughter to learn and write. Her wish is to become a woman of her own but she feels she doesn't have the courage. She supports her husband's dream of finding this new home.
And Miss Philomena, a young educated woman traveling on her own West to take a job as a teacher. She intends to be as independent as possible.
These black families will bet all on a treacherous journey against the elements and the cruelty of greedy men who attack them. They are brave in the name of hope and God.
The historical period is 1879 and their journey takes months. There are many historical references attesting to what the times were like. When it comes to defining the part men and women played.
Through Lettie (the youngest voice) we discuss the fact that women can't vote, they rely on a husband who secures, provides, and decides for them. But this journey proves that women are as strong as men or more and some do recognize their hard work and courage.
A story of family, found family, being there for each other, loss, and hope, with great dialogue true to their voices and characters. A great sample of a historically relevant period that in many moments is relatable still.
This book makes me think of the hardship they suffered on the road, many who perished became a grave on the path that would not be visited by their loved ones again. Also, there is always more we can learn and even the most educated ones continue to learn from the smallest things in life.
We understand that there was violence and death but it's appropriately and beautifully written poetically for young readers to take the emotion from it and not be exposed to the graphic part of it.
Because I've read an arc, I am going to say in my words some of the most important ideas(to me): the first is that to keep going we can't dwell on what stays behind, and we should look forward to tomorrow. We should always follow what we love because it's alright to dream, be independent, and fight for it. Last, those who are there when it matters the most in the darkest times holding us... are called family even when they are not of our blood.
Thank you publisher for the arc.
A lyrical novel filled with emotion in the voices of three relevant women and perspectives.
Young Lettie is full of curiosity, and passion for learning, writing, and reading. She is always paying attention to every detail and taking notes.
Her mother Sylvia encourages her daughter to learn and write. Her wish is to become a woman of her own but she feels she doesn't have the courage. She supports her husband's dream of finding this new home.
And Miss Philomena, a young educated woman traveling on her own West to take a job as a teacher. She intends to be as independent as possible.
These black families will bet all on a treacherous journey against the elements and the cruelty of greedy men who attack them. They are brave in the name of hope and God.
The historical period is 1879 and their journey takes months. There are many historical references attesting to what the times were like. When it comes to defining the part men and women played.
Through Lettie (the youngest voice) we discuss the fact that women can't vote, they rely on a husband who secures, provides, and decides for them. But this journey proves that women are as strong as men or more and some do recognize their hard work and courage.
A story of family, found family, being there for each other, loss, and hope, with great dialogue true to their voices and characters. A great sample of a historically relevant period that in many moments is relatable still.
This book makes me think of the hardship they suffered on the road, many who perished became a grave on the path that would not be visited by their loved ones again. Also, there is always more we can learn and even the most educated ones continue to learn from the smallest things in life.
We understand that there was violence and death but it's appropriately and beautifully written poetically for young readers to take the emotion from it and not be exposed to the graphic part of it.
Because I've read an arc, I am going to say in my words some of the most important ideas(to me): the first is that to keep going we can't dwell on what stays behind, and we should look forward to tomorrow. We should always follow what we love because it's alright to dream, be independent, and fight for it. Last, those who are there when it matters the most in the darkest times holding us... are called family even when they are not of our blood.
Thank you publisher for the arc.
March 25, 2024
There are so many parts of history that never make it into history curriculum. While many youngsters will have studied the Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, they most likely no little or nothing about the Exodusters or those Black men, women, and children that went westward ho in search of better lives. If they have read about the Great Migration to the North, they are also probably unfamiliar with this movement, which could be considered the first Great Migration. Just as there were Black cowboys, there were also Black pioneers, who are at the heart of this story. The novel in verse format for this historical novel, set from May to November 1879, works well as it follows one Black family as they move from Natchez, Mississippi to North Platte, Nebraska, during the Homestead Act. Thomas, the family patriarch, sees this as his family's only path to real freedom through land ownership amid wide spaces. While he's clearly a dreamer, sometimes he doesn't think things through carefully enough, making him impulsive and quick to anger. He decides to join a group of Black families heading West by wagon train. The journey is described by three different women: Lettie, 11, who has never thought of moving from a place that seems like home to her; her mother, Sylvia, who knows full well the perils such a journey has in store; and Philomena, a novice teacher heading West who joins them at the halfway point. Not surprisingly, the family and some of the other travelers face many challenges and dangers, including the weather. Each of the narrators has different types of strengths that help them survive. Well-researched and compelling, this book is important because it tells the stories of some of the Black men and women who made their way West. So invested was I in the fate of these individuals that I almost flew through the pages. The affection Lettie has for that little abandoned dog, Sutter, and the blossoming romance between two characters added more layers to this moving, inspiring story of perseverance and determination. Whenever I read stories set in the past or I imagine being part of a wagon train, nowhere near a restaurant or grocery store, I'm pretty sure that I would have struggled on such a journey. Kudos to Lesa Cline-Ransome for tackling this topic.
March 13, 2024
One Big Open Sky is a novel written in verse. It took a bit for me to get into this saga of our early pioneers, but staying with it was worth the read.
The novel follows three women: Sylvia, a mom; Lettie, Sylvia's daughter; and Philomena, a young woman taking on a new teaching job. The families traveling together are coming from eastern states with hopes of prosperity and a new life in the West, where colored people are more accepted and where there are more opportunities for families of color to own and operate their own land. It's a long and arduous journey to North Platte, Nebraska, and the group encounters many hardships during the long journey.,
These three individuals portray their personal perspectives of the journey and their thoughts on their hardships. During the trek across the land, wagons are attacked, food supplies run low, hazardous weather beats down, and friends and family are lost to death.
The points of view:
Philomena is a single: young, unmarried woman, seeking a new life as a teacher. She’s a mentor and role model for Lettie and some of the other children, and is not hesitant to speak what she thinks and encourages the young folks to do so as well. Sylvia and Lettie; Sylvia is the mother of Lettie and her two brothers. Lettie finds and takes in a little dog named Sutter. I enjoyed the role the little dog played on this most difficult journey.
This book is a reminder of the hardships and sacrifices our ancestors made to etch out a better life as they settled the west.
This novel is nice addition to any middle school library as a work of historical fiction set in 1879 as Black families traveled from Mississippi to Nebraska.
The cover is lively and indicative of the beautiful landscapes they viewed while journeying.
The points of view:
Philomena is a single: young, unmarried woman, seeking a new life as a teacher. She’s a mentor and role model for Lettie and some of the other children, and is not hesitant to speak what she thinks and encourages the young folks to do so as well. Sylvia and Lettie; Sylvia is the mother of Lettie and her two brothers. Lettie finds and takes in a little dog named Sutter. I enjoyed the role the little dog played on this most difficult journey.
This book is a reminder of the hardships and sacrifices our ancestors made to etch out a better life as they settled the west.
This novel is nice addition to any middle school library as a work of historical fiction set in 1879 as Black families traveled from Mississippi to Nebraska.
The cover is lively and indicative of the beautiful landscapes they viewed while journeying.
April 14, 2024
First sentence: On the ride back from church
every time Charly
trotted faster
or trotted out the way
of a too-big hole in the road
my head fell against
Daddy's soft Sunday shirt
blue as a clear sky
Momma was humming
the hymns to herself
in the back of the wagon
we just finished
singing out loud
in the pews
Riding next to Daddy
listening to Momma
I asked Daddy
What was your momma and daddy like?
and he pulled back
hard on the reins
enough to make Charly start
and lift his head
wondering what Daddy wanted
Charly knew there wasn't no need
for Daddy to be pulling
in the middle of his trotting
in the middle of the road
when he knew just where he was going
Daddy heard my asking
but didn't answer straitaway...
Premise/plot: Historical verse novel written for middle grade about the pioneer life--that essentially describes this one. Set circa 1879, this one follows a wagon train of black pioneers or homesteaders. All are heading west for a chance to improve upon their lives--a chance to own their own land and embrace more freedom, to break with their pasts. There are three points of view.
My thoughts: Verse novels can be hit or miss for me. I sometimes do enjoy verse novels, but sometimes I'm more why is this written in verse??? why wouldn't prose be a better fit???? Personally--and this is completely subjective--I think prose would have worked better for me.
Pioneer life was DIFFICULT. This book doesn't shy away from death, death, death, and more death.
I was slightly bothered by the lack of punctuation throughout the novel. I think you can tell that from the first sentence.
every time Charly
trotted faster
or trotted out the way
of a too-big hole in the road
my head fell against
Daddy's soft Sunday shirt
blue as a clear sky
Momma was humming
the hymns to herself
in the back of the wagon
we just finished
singing out loud
in the pews
Riding next to Daddy
listening to Momma
I asked Daddy
What was your momma and daddy like?
and he pulled back
hard on the reins
enough to make Charly start
and lift his head
wondering what Daddy wanted
Charly knew there wasn't no need
for Daddy to be pulling
in the middle of his trotting
in the middle of the road
when he knew just where he was going
Daddy heard my asking
but didn't answer straitaway...
Premise/plot: Historical verse novel written for middle grade about the pioneer life--that essentially describes this one. Set circa 1879, this one follows a wagon train of black pioneers or homesteaders. All are heading west for a chance to improve upon their lives--a chance to own their own land and embrace more freedom, to break with their pasts. There are three points of view.
My thoughts: Verse novels can be hit or miss for me. I sometimes do enjoy verse novels, but sometimes I'm more why is this written in verse??? why wouldn't prose be a better fit???? Personally--and this is completely subjective--I think prose would have worked better for me.
Pioneer life was DIFFICULT. This book doesn't shy away from death, death, death, and more death.
I was slightly bothered by the lack of punctuation throughout the novel. I think you can tell that from the first sentence.
January 13, 2024
Cline-Ransome uses journal entries to tell the story of 10 families who leave their homes in Mississippi for the hope of land ownership and opportunity instead of share cropping and lack of respect that has become the way of things despite freedom from enslavement. Three women, mom Sylvie, her daughter Lettie and single Philomena, tell of hardships and joys of traveling by covered wagon to Nebraska and by the end, realize their own unique strengths and abilities that are sure to lead to success. Readers are sure to come away with added knowledge of westward expansion, the cost in lives and belongings when rolling over land and across water, plus the unique perspective of Black families on the dream of something more that so many had during the time period. The journal format plus the anticipation of the next exciting episode makes the pages fly by resulting in a book that should be enjoyed by most students in grades 4-6, even those who may struggle to finish novels. Would pair nicely with books like older Little House on the Prairie and Hattie Big Sky plus newer western expansion historical fiction such as Prairie Lotus and A Sky Full of Song to give middle graders a much more balanced look at the quest for land from 1800-1860. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the one violent episode when bandits attack the wagon train is relayed clearly but without gratuitous blood-letting. Several in the group become ill or even die from the trials of the trail but details are not excessive.
Thanks for the e-ARC, NetGalley.
Thanks for the e-ARC, NetGalley.
December 22, 2023
Middle grade historical fiction is difficult to find, and this gem of a book is a wonderful addition. The novel in verse adds a strong voice to the story, and the reader is instantly drawn into the emotion. 4.5 stars for this ARC from #NetGalley.
In this book that examines the Black homesteader movement, three women narrate a wagon journey west. There are food shortages, perils of the countryside, and supply issues. Beginning in 1879, there are also larger societal issues of slavery, racism, and patriarchal dominance for the women to consider.
Some strengths of the book include giving voice and story from an undertold perspective, novel in verse format, the story itself – it’s powerful, interesting, and engaging.
Some areas to consider are the lack of the indigenous voice and perspective and the cover of the book. What works on the cover: white letters and a broad title, big, blue background, author name across the top in yellow, and the dog by Lettie’s side. What might be improved: Thicker font for the title and the characters, who seem overly childish or overdone. The cover doesn’t quite match the story.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, this would be a great whole-class read for teachers or would make a great literature circle choice, as it provides a wonderful perspective to the westward movement.
In this book that examines the Black homesteader movement, three women narrate a wagon journey west. There are food shortages, perils of the countryside, and supply issues. Beginning in 1879, there are also larger societal issues of slavery, racism, and patriarchal dominance for the women to consider.
Some strengths of the book include giving voice and story from an undertold perspective, novel in verse format, the story itself – it’s powerful, interesting, and engaging.
Some areas to consider are the lack of the indigenous voice and perspective and the cover of the book. What works on the cover: white letters and a broad title, big, blue background, author name across the top in yellow, and the dog by Lettie’s side. What might be improved: Thicker font for the title and the characters, who seem overly childish or overdone. The cover doesn’t quite match the story.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, this would be a great whole-class read for teachers or would make a great literature circle choice, as it provides a wonderful perspective to the westward movement.
April 9, 2024
It's 1879, and Lettie is living sharecropper life in Mississippi, but her father was born into slavery, and he has big dreams for their future: there's land free for the claiming out west. So the family, packs everything they will take into a Conestoga wagon and join a group of other Black families to head through the dangers toward the promised land of Nebraska.
Told in blank verse, this is a thought-provoking and gripping story: there's danger and tragedy matched by the settlers' hope, but also despair. Like the Trail itself, the story leaves some behind while other forge a community during this hazardous adventure. The blank verse may prove a bit of a challenge for some readers, but award-winning Cline-Ransome puts so much power into these elegant, telegraphic lines that a reader must pause to savor the story.
This would make a great companion read for novels of the settlement of the west, like Hattie Big Sky and the Little House series, and offers a valuable and compelling perspective on this quintessential American bit of history.
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
Told in blank verse, this is a thought-provoking and gripping story: there's danger and tragedy matched by the settlers' hope, but also despair. Like the Trail itself, the story leaves some behind while other forge a community during this hazardous adventure. The blank verse may prove a bit of a challenge for some readers, but award-winning Cline-Ransome puts so much power into these elegant, telegraphic lines that a reader must pause to savor the story.
This would make a great companion read for novels of the settlement of the west, like Hattie Big Sky and the Little House series, and offers a valuable and compelling perspective on this quintessential American bit of history.
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
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March 4, 2024I flew through One Big Open Sky! I've always enjoyed pioneer fiction and this book added an important perspective to the history of pioneering. I liked that this story didn't gloss over the hardships of traveling out west during this time period. Lesa Cline-Ransome does not shy away from death, illness, and wagon attacks. Although the author did a great job of highlighting the experience of pioneers, I wish she went into more detail about the Native American population at that time. I think this book would benefit with an informational note at the end about the history of pioneering and westward expansion. I liked that this book had three female protagonists. Each character brought a unique perspective to the story. I found Philomena's character the most inspiring. I will be recommending this book to patrons at my library, especially the hi-lo readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for the ARC.
March 13, 2024
Lettie, her two younger brothers, her father and her pregnant mother go pioneering to Nebraska in 1879. Readers familiar with pioneering stories will recognize many of the hardships and will probably expect that not every character will make the entire journey. What sets this book apart from some of the others is that the family is Black, and Lettie's father was once held as a slave. Race comes up from time to time throughout the story, but it's not the main theme. The story is told in verse, in alternating viewpoints between Lettie, her mother, and Philomena, a young teacher they pick up along the way. Women's suffrage is also brought up as a theme and the story makes clear that women can do as much as a man. It adds some diversity to the historical fiction shelf. Review from e-galley.
April 1, 2024
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. Rating it 4 stars because there were times when I didn't know exactly who the book was for--because of the inclusion of a young woman and mother's perspectives and of some serious content, I don't think I would put this in an elementary library. There were also times when I didn't think the novel in verse style worked. But I definitely recommend it for 6th grade and up. So many exciting, harrowing things happened that kept me turning the pages, and so many important themes that can be unpacked further like feminism, race, freedom, and property.
I was really worried about the tiny tiny font size at first, but I got used to it in the end, thankfully!!
I was really worried about the tiny tiny font size at first, but I got used to it in the end, thankfully!!
January 18, 2024
In 1879 Mississippi Lettie and her younger brothers were born free but their parents know the agony of having family sold away one by one and the cruel lack of post-emancipation opportunities for the formerly enslaved. It’s Dad’s dream to own land so they join up with a ten family wagon train to stake a claim in Nebraska. Lettie, her pregnant mom, and a young woman traveling to her first teaching position narrate river crossings, illness, bad weather, hunger and the hope of a better future. Teachers and librarians will be thrilled to add this to their historical fiction collections. More please! EARC from Edelweiss.
April 19, 2024
This wonderful writer takes on a pioneering story of African Americans drawn to Nebraska with the government's promise of free lands. Three women share their emotional and physical journey Lettie,the daughter of Thomas a dreamer whose dreams are bigger than his abilities, Sylvia his wife, forced to leave loved ones behind to follow Thomas' dream and Philomena an independent young woman anxious to get to her first teaching job and a life of value and independence. The tedium, the hardships, the growing together of the families, all these details will pull you in and make you part of a story that has not been fully told before.
January 31, 2024
I’ll start my review by saying that I’m not a big fan of poetry, nor of multiple POVs, but even then I found this book to be surprisingly enjoyable. My favorite character was Lettie, because I found her POVs to be the most action and emotion packed, and Miss Pratt was my second favorite, because her POV was so different and added some emotional variety to the story. I like reading a few middle-grade books every year and I think this is a book that will appeal to a wide array of age groups and people.
March 1, 2024
This is such a moving story. Lettie is such a spitfire and fights so hard for justice and a better life for her and her family. Her mother is such a strong woman too.
There is so much hardship throughout this book, but it is a story that is needed.
The scenery throughout is beautiful, but we learn that it can help you or harm you.
These voices in this story are so moving and the writing makes you feel that you are there with them.
A story that everyone should read and learn from.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
There is so much hardship throughout this book, but it is a story that is needed.
The scenery throughout is beautiful, but we learn that it can help you or harm you.
These voices in this story are so moving and the writing makes you feel that you are there with them.
A story that everyone should read and learn from.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
December 26, 2023
One Big Open Sky
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
The westward expansion had many more nuances then given in the brief history of America. The idea that black families, moved from the sharecrop farming to the west is not well known. This book shows in a lyrical form the struggles, hopes and dreams of a family taking the promise of owning their own land, and finding finical solvency in Nebraska land grants. The journey has danger and hardship, with miss information causing problems, and sacrifice.
April 12, 2024
One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome tells a deeper story of America's westward journey. It sheds light on the lesser-known experience of black families leaving sharecropping for the West. Through beautiful writing, it portrays a family's struggles and dreams as they seek land ownership and financial stability in Nebraska. The journey is tough, filled with danger, misinformation, and sacrifices.
January 2, 2024
Read several by this author, always good. This one is no exception. The historical fiction novel for middle school age works well written in verse. Enjoyed.
Appreciate more middle school historical fiction written about girls/young women.
Appreciate more middle school historical fiction written about girls/young women.
January 5, 2024
In this very interesting middle grade fiction story about a black family - written entirely in verse - we get a historical perspective on events that we are more likely to have previously read about in a form viewed through a decidedly colour-coded lens.
Lettie's father Thomas is understandably resentful about having to work as a black sharecropper on a white man's land. When he hears that families like theirs travelling out westward will have their own properties to farm, he goes against all advice from their extended family members and takes his unwilling wife and children with him, to head for a new life in Nebraska.
The journey is perilous, riddled with shortages and hardship. The story is told from multiple POV, in women's voices, and that is a device that works very effectively. We feel their emotions as they struggle with new experiences, and get a glimpse of the traumas caused by institutionalized and internalized racism, social and family and hierarchies, and the patriarchal values which allowed a man absolute dominance over his wife and children.
This is an intelligent, moving and insightful read, which will be greatly enjoyed by readers from the target age group, while also providing them with unexpected insights into a neglected piece of history. Recommended reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Lettie's father Thomas is understandably resentful about having to work as a black sharecropper on a white man's land. When he hears that families like theirs travelling out westward will have their own properties to farm, he goes against all advice from their extended family members and takes his unwilling wife and children with him, to head for a new life in Nebraska.
The journey is perilous, riddled with shortages and hardship. The story is told from multiple POV, in women's voices, and that is a device that works very effectively. We feel their emotions as they struggle with new experiences, and get a glimpse of the traumas caused by institutionalized and internalized racism, social and family and hierarchies, and the patriarchal values which allowed a man absolute dominance over his wife and children.
This is an intelligent, moving and insightful read, which will be greatly enjoyed by readers from the target age group, while also providing them with unexpected insights into a neglected piece of history. Recommended reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 21, 2024
Verse novel told in 3 female voices; vital story of the largest 1-year migration of black people from the south to the west; alternative to LHOTP books; pair with Prairie Lotus; weakness - no discussion of Indigenous peoples
March 17, 2024
So nice to get historical fiction with aspects that had been completely ignored when I was a child! The stream-of-consciousness free verse makes it a super-fast read, too.
Currently reading
March 28, 2024The lack of punctuation is causing unnecessary syntactic confusion for me while reading. Verse novelists, please use punctuation unless there's a reason not to!
April 15, 2024
One Big Open Sky is a beautifully written middle-grade novel told from the perspective of three women about their treacherous journey to Nebraska. I have never read a full-length novel that used verses before, and although it does take some getting used to, it is well-utilized here.
We follow the story from the perspective of young Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and teacher Philomena as they navigate a world that was not made for them, striving to survive while clinging to the desperate hope of a better life. They travel from Mississippi to Nebraska, facing pregnancy, heartbreak, racism, and many other obstacles along the way. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat, hoping and rooting for Lettie's family and Philomena's safety and happiness.
Thank you to Holiday House for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
We follow the story from the perspective of young Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and teacher Philomena as they navigate a world that was not made for them, striving to survive while clinging to the desperate hope of a better life. They travel from Mississippi to Nebraska, facing pregnancy, heartbreak, racism, and many other obstacles along the way. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat, hoping and rooting for Lettie's family and Philomena's safety and happiness.
Thank you to Holiday House for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 21, 2023
I think it’s a little too long but it’s powerful
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