A SKY FULL OF SONG, by Susan Lynn Meyer, Union Square Kids, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
A Ukrainian girl and her family experience the highs and lows of immigration to America in A Sky Full of Song, a historical fiction novel by Susan Lynn Meyer.
North Dakota, 1905
After fleeing persecution in the Russian Empire, eleven-year-old Shoshana and her family, Jewish immigrants, start a new life on the prairie. Shoshana takes fierce joy in the wild beauty of the plains and the thrill of forging a new, American identity. But it’s not as simple for her older sister, Libke, who misses their Ukrainian village and doesn’t pick up English as quickly or make new friends as easily. Desperate to fit in, Shoshana finds herself hiding her Jewish identity in the face of prejudice, just as Libke insists they preserve it.
For the first time, Shoshana is at odds with her beloved sister, and has to look deep inside herself to realize that her family’s difference is their greatest strength. By listening to the music that’s lived in her heart all along, Shoshana finds new meaning in the Jewish expression all beginnings are difficult, as well as in the resilience and traditions her people have brought all the way to the North Dakota prairie. —Synopsis provided by Union Square Kids
A Sky Full of Song reminds me a lot of the American Girl Kirsten books. Not because they’re that similar — one girl is Ukrainian and the other Swedish. Their destinations and storylines are quite different. But I remember reading Meet Kirsten as a kid and immediately understanding her fears about coming to a new country where she didn’t understand the language or customs.
That same understanding comes with A Sky Full of Song. So, too, comes a warm writing style that makes it easy to slip into Shoshana’s story.
Shoshana is a wonderful character to grow with. As she tries to marry her new American life with her old Ukrainian one, she faces bigotry and bullying. Readers will immediately recognize parallels to issues in today’s society and realize the fight for acceptance goes back long before they were born.
A Sky Full of Song is a fast-moving historical fiction novel with a lot of heart. It’s beautifully written and a joy to read.
Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
