*"Nolen's tender story of the Wilcomb family's losses and aspirations will resonate. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, a gentle, lyrical story of a determined black girl's journey toward freedom during the Civil War. " --
Kirkus Reviews, starred review--Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW "12/15/16 "
"Fort Monroe, a Union-controlled outpost in the antebellum South, provides the backdrop for the story of Callie, an enslaved girl. Background notes and a time line at the beginning explore how Union soldiers were able to exploit a legal loophole to save countless lives, while an afterword provides further source material for this pivotal moment in American history." --
Booklist--Booklist "December 15, 2016 "
"Jerdine Nolen's CALICO GIRL waves fabrics of freedom in every forward step of her undaunted heroine's
journey. Nolen's deftly crafted scholarship offers a poignant and hopeful glimpse at the past for today's curious
readers." - Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author
Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including
Big Jabe,
Thunder Rose (a Coretta Scott King Illlustrator Honor Book), and
Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life (a Bank Street Best Book of the Year), all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of
Eliza's Freedom Road, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults;
Raising Dragons, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and
Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award. Her other books include
Plantizilla, illustrated by David Catrow, which was a BOOKSENSE 76 Selection, and
Irene's Wish, illustrated by A.G. Ford, which
Kirkus Reviews called "delightful and memorable" in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Sarah Gibb studied at Saint Martin's School of Art (now Central Saint Martins) before completing her MA in illustration at Brighton College of Art. After landing regular spots in the
Telegraph and
Elle magazine
, Sarah went on to illustrate Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole series, many classic children's fairy tales and even the Harrods Christmas window display. She lives in Wandsworth, London.