One Big Open Sky

"Lesa Cline-Ransome's historical novel in verse, 'One Big Open Sky,' is determined to fill in these archival silences. . . a mix of richly textured description and vibrant dialogue. . . meticulous research. . . ." The New York Times

"Cline-Ransome once again demonstrates her incredible literary skills. . . a deeply moving story that centers a distinctive part of the African American story." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
"Cline-Ransome s spare free-verse narrative centers three skillfully developed female voices. . . This is a captivating story about African American homesteaders and their claims to land promised them after the Civil War." The Horn Book, Starred Review
 
"This emotional look into an untold part of the Westward Expansion dives deep into Black self-emancipation and the strength of Black women." School Library Journal

"The verses read smoothly and, although completely lacking in punctuation, will be accessible to young readers." Booklist

"[A] gripping historical verse novel. . . The meticulously layered intersections of each protagonist s experience deftly captures the lengths to which Black people particularly women would go in pursuit of freedom in the post-Reconstruction era." Publishers Weekly