Under a Painted Sky

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes a gritty historical fiction novel where two girls—one Chinese, the other a runaway slave—disguise themselves as boys to survive the Oregon Trail and find freedom.

“Get ready to fall in love with this one.”—Bustle

“A much needed multicultural look at the Oregon Trail … High drama, tension, romantic longings, and touches of humor will entice historical fiction fans.”—School Library Journal

Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream and, instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier.

Life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the lighthearted crew turns out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail.

Under a Painted Sky is an exciting adventure and a heart-wrenching tale of survival. But above all else, it’s a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship.

SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner • An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick • An Amelia Bloomer Book