41. One Big Open Sky

One Big Open Sky. Lesa Cline-Ransome. 2024. 304 pages. [Source: Library] 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.    © 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews If you're reading this on a site (other than Becky's Book Reviews or Becky's feed , be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.