num_pages: 374
description: Missouri 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musiciannot an easy thing if youre a girl and harder still if youre 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. But 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 light-hearted troupe turn 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. This beautifully written debut is an exciting adventure and heart-wrenching survival tale. But above all else its a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship.
language: English
title: Under a Painted Sky
publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers