Lifting the Sky.

d'Arge, Mackie. Lifting the Sky.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 310p 16.99
978-1-59990-186-2 ms/jr

Blue ( a twelve year old) moves around the ranches in the Northwest with her ranch-hand mother. It is a story where a young girl learns to adapt and make friends quickly.
Blue is a young twelve-year old has to move frequently because her mother constantly changes her jobs with different ranches. In the story, they finally settle down in a remote ranch adjoining an Indian reservation. Blue is a resourceful person and learns to help out with the ranch chores, and makes friends with the ranch hands, and the young Indian boy who lives on the next farm. In addition, Blue learns that she has some mystical ability with animals that she puts to good use.
Mackie d'Arge has written a good read that will appeal to young readers. It deals with single parent families and the anxiety produced when two parents can't communicate. The story line also deals with the everyday living side of ranch life. It also illustrates how humans and animals can develop a mutual communication that will benefit both parties.
It is a good read that middle school and upper elementary school readers will enjoy. LM