One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Daddy says Momma (Sylvia), Lettie, Silas and Elijah are going to move. It is time to have their own land and not have to work for some else. There is no more slavery. It is time to be truly free. The journey will be long, but they have shelter in their covered wagon, and they will not be alone - this family group will travel with others all determined to reach Nebraska. Ten families heading West out of Mississippi to take advantage of the land promised by the Homestead Act of 1862. But food will be short, along the way small towns will charge enormous prices for basic supplies and there are dangerous rivers to cross. Luckily along the way they do pick up a young woman who is hard-working and wise. And when a dreadful catastrophe befalls the family, young Philomena is able to step in and help with their two faithful mules Charly and Titus. 

All the land you want 

Free 

he said to me 

All we got to do is go on and get it 

Take what’s ours 

I looked down at the paper 

that didn’t say none of what he was 

Any colored who want it 

Come with some money too right? 

I looked at his eyes 

shining in the lamplight 

bright 

Who was I to dim their light? 

To take from him what white men 

masters 

loss 

and years of fieldwork left of him 

He asked pointing down at the paper 

And they even give you a wagon?

Here is what they pack: 200 pounds of flour 10 pounds of rice 5 pounds of coffee 25 pounds of sugar 1 bushel of beans 20 pounds of salt 1 bushel of cornmeal 1 keg of vinegar 100 pounds of bacon 25 pounds of dried fruit Daddy’s good rifle and gunpowder two pistols lard, candles, lye powder matches and soap frying pans and a coffeepot our old stew kettle and Momma’s sharpest knife nails one washtub A tent and blankets blankets for Charly and Titus plus their feed too even the cradle Momma wanted was packed in tight.

The journey could take four or five or even six months. This story is about the journey not the destination but readers are left with enormous hope that the family will prosper in their new home. 

From where we sat we could see the lantern lighting up the cabin and imagine the warmth inside our new home in the West in Nebraska with a fire in the hearth and beds stacked with quilts Silas, Elijah, Momma and Miss Pratt inside But me and Sutter liked it best curled in close together warming each other best as we could in the tent Momma let me pitch outdoors.

There are three voices in this verse novel so you do have to pay attention at the start of each section or chapter. It is very significant that these are three women - Lettie is a young girl born after the end of slavery but also born into a time when women are expected to marry, have children, and of course have no rights and no vote. Her mother Sylvia is brave and loyal to her husband but she has to sacrifice so much to make this enormous journey to find a place her husband believes will be 'a promised land'. Philomena is a young, newly trained teacher who values her independence. She has been promised a teaching job in Nebraska and for Philomena this means she can support herself without the need for a husband. 

When I was in Primary School (Elementary) here in Australia I read and loved, like so many kids of my generation, books about American pioneers such as Little House on the Prairie and all the sequels but even more I loved Children of the Oregon Trail. That goes part of the way to explaining why I simply devoured One Big Open Sky. As usual I have no idea how I came across this book and then why I added it to my 'to read' list as a title I could pop on my Kindle. I started this book on a two-hour bus and train journey and then completed it on the way home. I am happy to see the paperback edition of this book is available [9780823460625].

Publisher blurb: 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 needs: 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.

This map shows their journey:

This is a beautifully crafted novel in verse: Cline-Ransome once again demonstrates her incredible literary skills as characters’ personalities are revealed by their actions. The intergenerational voices provide depth as the events unfold, and the emotionally resonant writing is rich in details that add texture and meaning to this unique depiction of African American homesteaders that’s full of resilience and hope. Kirkus Star review

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 ... Ms Yingling

In the final analysis, the entire book emphasizes the bonds of family, both immediate and extended. This exquisite novel is geared for children 8-12 years but can be cherished by readers of all ages. A classic, and in a perfect world it would be required reading in all elementary schools. Historical Novel society

Awards:
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Winner of the Virginia Library Association Cardinal Cup Award

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids

A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children’s Book of the Year

An ALSC Notable Children's Book

A CLA Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts

Companion book:

Prairie Lotus

Medusa by Jessie Burton illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill

"My name was Medusa and I was a girl. Perseus had made me sound like a mythical beast. 

I didn't want to be a myth. I wanted to be me. ... I thought I was safe, 

because Perseus still didn't know about my snakes"

Publisher Blurb Bloomsbury: A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill. Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love and betrayal… 

Reading this version of the Medusa became by obsession last week. I will confess that in some books I do skip to the end either to check everyone lives happily ever after or just because I am impatient to find out how everything turns out but in Medusa I did not let myself "cheat".

Of course I should already know the Greek mythology of Medusa but apart from the snakes on her head and the curse of turning people to stone I really did not have a good grasp of the story. Since reading this retelling of the Medusa story I have now read several versions closer to the original story, I can see Jessie Burton has altered the plot quite drastically but really I do not think this matters at all. I am not going to elaborate on this because it will spoil your enjoyment of this book. I will say I loved the way Jessie Burton crafted the relationship between Perseus and Medusa. If you are not familiar with Medusa you could read this book and then read this entry from the World History Encyclopedia. High School students might use this book to discuss the 'Me Too' movement alongside the important message that 'no means no'. 

Medusa is due for publication November 2021. Older teens, who were perhaps fans of Percy Jackson in their Primary years, will enjoy this Medusa story.  The art you will see in this book by Olivia Lomenech Gill  is wonderful. 

This is most certainly a Young Adult title - I would suggest readers aged 16+. While the sexual assault is not described explicitly there are mature themes in this book.

The writing - cleverly, and compellingly - feels both timeless and modern. Medusa’s narrative, and the dialogue, is laced with wit, and infused with tremendous detail. LoveReading4Kids

Read this review for more plot details and some deeper criticism:

Burton's story is a very feminist retelling. She has written the story in a way that makes it very related to the world we live in today; a world of impossible beauty standards, where a lot of a woman's worth is dependent on how attractive she is, a world where being too beautiful can lead to jealousy and abuse. It also shines a light on rape culture and victim blaming. Once Upon a Bookcase

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Happy Birthday to The Paperbag Princess

Born 1980 turning 40 this year

Party date 7th March 

Location - various bookshops in US and Canada such as Woozles in Halifx

When a dragon burns down her castle Elizabeth is left with nothing except a paper bag. She bravely sets out to rescue Prince Ronald who has been carried off by the dragon. She finds Ronald who is held captive by the dragon in a cave. Elizabeth challenges the dragon to demonstrate his extraordinary powers. She appeals to his vanity, setting him three challenges. Eventually he collapses exhausted. Elizabeth is able to rescue Ronald but instead of being grateful all he can do is criticise her appearance! Elizabeth is not defeated. She has the final and very appropriate word for the vain and pompous Ronald! He is a 'bum'.

I first talked about The Paper Bag Princess in 2012.  Robert Munsch was born in the US and now lives in Canada. He is the author of over 65 books. His first book Mud Puddle (1979) is one I love to read aloud but The Paperbag Princess is probably his most famous title. Here is a video where Robert talks about his book. Take a look at my previous post about Princess stories.

Resources

• Audio Book
• Teaching ideas
• Linking the text with philosophical thinking

Other Princess stories I adore:

First Test by Tamora Pierce

I first read this book in 2000 and fell in love with the characters and in particular the feisty and determined Keladry who has applied to train as a knight following in the footsteps of Alanna, lioness of Tortall, who completed her training ten years earlier by disguising herself as a boy.  I have been recommending this book ever since but sadly no one seems to have continued reading beyond the first book.  I do wonder why.  This is a splendid series and would suit fans of books like Skulduggery Pleasant (a very popular series in my school library) and Rangers Apprentice.

In one sitting I read First Test again today.  This is a book where you become totally involved with the characters and their activities.  Tamora Pierce completely transports you into her medieval fantasy world.  Here is the cover of our library copy

The story opens with a meeting between King Jonathan and Lord Wyldon the training master. A letter has come from Keladry of Mindelan, a ten year old girl who is requesting to train as a knight.  Sitting in the room is Alanna the Lioness, the King's Champion.  Wyldon is incensed :

"Girls are fragile, more emotional, easier to frighten. They are not as strong in their arms and shoulders as men They tire easily. This girl would get any warriors who served with her killed o some dark night."

The King will not be swayed, however, and Kel is allowed to begin her training but unlike all the boys, her time is to be a trial - a probation AND Alanna, who had thought to mentor the girl, is forbidden all contact.

Kel arrives and she is so excited to begin her training but the bullies have other ideas and they will not give in until she gives up.

"Entering her room, Kel shut the door. When she turned, a gasp escaped before she locked her lips. She surveyed the damage. ... The drapes lay on the floor ... her packs were opened and their contents had been tumbled out. Someone had used her practice glaive to slash and pull down the wall hangings. On the plaster wall she saw written 'No Girls!', 'Go Home!', 'You Won't Last.' "

The boys fight her physically and mentally. One of the worst things is the way they tamper with her lance and fill it with lead.  Kel eventually discovers this trickery but not before she has spent months doing extra arm strength exercises determined to master this huge weapon.  On the positive side Kel does have friends.  The servants are on her side and so is her sponsor Nealan of Queenscove who by luck is also a healer and her horse, even though he has been badly treated previously, becomes a wonderful ally.

One of the aspects of this book that I enjoyed is that while Kel is strong and intelligent and very disciplined she does have one weakness.  She cannot cope with heights.

"Kel's ears roared; she could not catch her breath. The broad moat that passed in front of the wall was a long drop below. She heard nothing, she did not feel hands prying her grip from the stone .. 'I'll fall' she whispered."

You can read more about the whole series here and also in this Wikipedia entry.

When you read First Test you will realise it is part of a series of books which intertwine.

The Alanna series are written for an older audience so senior primary students can start with Protector of the small.

One of my favourite Canadian bookshops Woozles in Halifax recently featured the newest book in the Tortall series.  Tamora Pierce visited Halifax and so many of their Facebook posts featured her books.

Here is the cover of the newest book in this series which now number 18 books.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch illustrated by Michael Martchenko

This book had such an impact on me as a young Teacher-Librarian when it was first published and I continue to be fascinated by books that I call the modern fairy tale. Other examples are Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole, The Tough Princess by Martin Waddell, The Frog Prince continued by Jon Scieszka and Sleeping Ugly by Jane Yolen.  I like these unconventional princesses who don't worry about clothes, court etiquette and most importantly are not fussed about marrying the prince and 'living happily ever after'.  This became the topic of my Post-Grad thesis.

The Paper Bag Princess was one of the first books I had read with this message - I might go as far as to say a feminist message. Elizabeth lives in the castle and her destiny is all mapped out.  She will wear pretty dresses and marry Prince Ronald.  Unfortunately a dragon attacks the castle and burns it down along with all and I mean all her dresses.  Elizabeth is forced to improvise and so uses the only object not burnt to cinders in the fire which surprisingly is a  paper bag.  Elizabeth now needs to chase the dragon because he has carried of Prince Ronald.

In the classic fairy tale form, Elizabeth puts the dragon through a series challenges. She uses flattery and takes advantage of the dragons huge ego.  She dares him to burn ten forests, then fifty forests and finally one hundred forests but how all his fire is spent.  "The dragon didn't even have enough fire left to cook a meatball."  Next she dares him to fly around the whole planet in ten seconds, then again but this time it takes twenty seconds because he is getting tired and finally the dragon collapses and falls asleep.

Elizabeth is now able to rescue Prince Roland but is reaction is totally unexpected :
"Elizabeth, you are a mess! You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag.  Come back when you are dressed like a real princess."

If you are new to this book you should stop now and think about how you might react to this tirade.  How should Elizabeth respond? Now grab the book and be ready to smile!

This book is so very famous it even has an entry in Wikipedia. There are videos and teaching ideas.  You can hear Robert Munch himself reading this book with such delightful expression. Here is a very deep analysis of the text and silly video and I even found a board game.