This Opening Sky

This middle grade novel in verse is set in the aftermath of the American Civil War and tells the story of an unlikely friendship. Aurelia is the daughter of a plantation that was once thriving, and she now has to work the land with her own hands to stay alive. Her hands, once carefully manicured, are blistered, torn and bleeding from field work.

Libby is a freed slave making her way north in search of a better life. She travels from place to place looking for anyone who will trade eggs, bread or meat for a day of labor, but most plantations are either abandoned or already have too many mouths to feed.

The story is told through the alternating voices of the two girls, and together they may turn out to be a good team.