Sarny

The Civil War is over, and Sarny has been released from the shackles of slavery. She's free, but what does that mean? This sequel to Gary Paulsen's acclaimed novel, Nightjohn, follows Sarny as she searches for her children after the war. Hope comes from surprising places, and soon Sarny finds herself in New Orleans, working, teaching, and building her life anew. Though the war is over, hatred and danger lurk around every corner, threatening her efforts to teach others to read. In Sarny, Paulsen creates a character that sparkles with heart and courage. His descriptions of her first days of freedom--her first lavender-scented bath, the sweet taste of canned peaches on bread--drip with immediacy. Sarny's story is so rich, so engaging that it's hard to say good-bye to her when the book is over. Readers will find themselves on the edges of their seats, asking, "... and then what happened, Mr. Paulsen?"