One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

 

Yesterday, I finished reading One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome. This historical fiction novel in verse is about three women, Lettie Grier, her mother Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena Pratt, who travel on a dangerous wagon journey westward in 1879. Their journey begins in April when Lettie's father, Thomas, decides that they're going to leave their home in Natchez, Mississippi, for an opportunity to own their own plot of land in Nebraska, even though they're free from slavery. Despite Sylvia's doubts, by May, the family of five is packing up their things and joining a company of other Black families who are also heading to Nebraska. When they reach Independence, Missouri, they pick up Philomena who will be starting a new teaching position in North Platte, Nebraska. Over the next several months, they face many hardships, including few supplies and little money due to poverty, treacherous river crossings, changing weather, and bandits.

I was so excited to read this book because I loved the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder as a kid, and it did not disappoint. Throughout the story, I enjoyed the different perspectives of all three narrators, Lettie, Sylvia, and Philomena. I especially loved Lettie's relationships with her two younger brothers, Elijah and Silas, and how she bonded with Philomena and Sutter, the dog of Mr. Portee, one of the men with whom they were traveling. What I thought was interesting as I was reading is how frustrating traveling with men could be for women. Some of them, even Thomas, had the tendency to be controlling and think that they always knows what's best or right. This sexism is why I really appreciated how the story demonstrated the strength of Black women. Lettie, Sylvia, and Philomena were just as capable as the men and could make decisions without their influence, and I admire them so much for their resilience. Additionally, the story has moments of triumph and tragedy. I definitely felt devastated when the families experienced loss on their journey and it had me wondering if they would make it at times, so I felt a deep sigh of relief when the worst was over. I think the ending is perfect, though. Finally, I have to mention just how enlightening this book is. As the author's note at the end explains, this story is based on the history of the Black homesteader movement, something I previously didn't know anything about, and there's a list of books the author used in the acknowledgements. One Big Open Sky is a beautiful story, and it's a wonderful choice for girls interested in historical fiction and survival stories.