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A Sky for Us Alone Kindle Edition

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

“A stirring, powerful, and heart-wrenching story of coming of age, falling in love, and trying to lead a life of dignity.” Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of The Serpent King

In Strickland County—a forgotten stretch of land in Southern Appalachia—there isn’t a lot of anything to go around. But when eighteen-year-old Harlowe Compton’s brother is killed by the Praters—the family who controls everything, from the mines to the law to the opioid trade—he wonders if the future will ever hold more than loss.

Until he meets Tennessee Moore. Even as she struggles with the worst of the cards she’s been dealt, Tennessee makes Harlowe believe that they can dare to forge their own path. But as Harlowe searches for the answers behind his brother’s death, his town’s decay, and his family’s dysfunction, he discovers truths about the people he loves—and himself—that are darker than he ever expected.

Now, Harlowe realizes, there’s no turning back.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-A gritty portrait of poverty and the opioid crisis in the rural South. Eighteen-year-old Harlowe Compton struggles to stay hopeful after growing up in poverty-ridden Strickland County, a present-day coal mining region. The helplessness he feels surrounding his brother's recent murder is compounded by his mother's addiction to prescription pain killers and the grip of the Prater family, who control everything from the mines to local law enforcement. A chance meeting with the new girl, Tennessee Moore, changes his outlook as he imagines the possibility of having a life with her far away from Strickland and the bleak future that seems inevitable. The strength of this debut novel is in the steady growth of the protagonist from victim to unlikely hero of his circumstances. When Harlowe realizes that his brother's death is connected to illegal activity surrounding the mine and its owner, he is forced to glean wisdom from every interaction with peers and elders to save himself from the same fate. Readers will be reminded of plotlines from Riverdale, and will appreciate the thoughtful character development and suspenseful pacing. The thrill and frustration of first love are experienced alongside the full-on struggle for survival by major and minor characters. Russell's ability to capture the underworld of drug violence while keeping the story edifying is balanced through heartening scenes of rural life and love and believable dialogue. VERDICT The tough narrative offers teens from all societal demographics a grim look at the ripple effects of drug abuse on families and communities. Recommended.-Jane Miller, Nashville Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“A stirring, powerful, and heart-wrenching story of coming-of-age, falling in love, and trying to lead a life of dignity.” — Jeff Zenter, Morris Award-Winning Author of The Serpent King

“Driven by mystery and peppered with themes relevant to young readers such as identity, betrayal, and romance. A bleak yet compelling portrayal of Appalachian mountain life.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Complex and realistic…written with impressive nuance and strength. Russell’s debut offers a moving picture of a specific time and place.” — ALA Booklist

“A gritty portrait of poverty and the opioid crisis in the rural South… Readers will be reminded of plotlines from Riverdale, and will appreciate the thoughtful character development and suspenseful pacing.” — School Library Journal

“The romance between Harlowe and Tennessee is the story’s focus, but Harlowe’s relationships with his family…will linger most with readers. Debut author Russell faithfully renders the distinctive cultural norms and stark realities of Appalachian life, including the depth of poverty, while reminding readers of the region’s beauty and resilience. Along the way, she sends a subtle message that embracing one’s background, rather than fighting against it, can provide a road to the future.” — Publishers Weekly

“Harlowe’s melancholy narration makes this satisfying backcountry noir from the start... a vivid portrayal of a county literally and figuratively stained and disfigured by the mine, in which it’s nearly impossible to thrive and from which it’s nearly impossible to escape.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079DQ1LBS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Katherine Tegen Books (January 8, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 8, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1668 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 326 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2019
that needs to be heard. Kristin Russell tells the story of a young man, his family and his community and their struggles. Without judging, moralizing or excusing she takes us into the life of a family and community that struggles with poverty, an unhealthy environment, bad schools and rampant drug and alcohol abuse and rather than preach against them she simply uses them as a backdrop to share how this young man, his family and a few friends tried to manage the situation. The book is easy to read and full of surprising twists and turns - all the way to the end. It's hard to imagine not enjoying this book. I devoured it. I hope you find it as entertaining as I did.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2019
I love southern books. This had the feel of the TV show Justified if it was a young adult book. I love how the MC didn't just accept things. How he longed for something more and worked to get it. A great love story too!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020
I am presently working as a therapist (intern) in a rural opioid/addiction recovery clinic so I thoroughly appreciated this book. I was impressed when I learned that the author spent time learning about the people and personally connecting with those who reside in rural Appalachia. A Sky for us Alone opens a window into lives that most people know little about or maybe have been influenced by stereotyping or bias. Kristin Russell has created characters that are relatable, intelligent and discerning while not shying away from the challenges and heartbreaking struggles of those whose life experiences are anything but fictional. Her character development integrates those realities. Over the last six months, I have seen patients who are in very similar storylines with the same tendered spirit, hope and aches for freedom that Harlowe, Tennessee and other characters identify in the book. And sadly, the losses and trauma mirror the storyline on a regular basis as well. It is believable, compassionately honest and well written. Look forward to her next book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2019
This book was what I was hoping the show Ozark would be - a real taste of rural life spiked with oxycontins, blood feuds, nature, love and sweat. We've got a main character kid (Harlowe) who's impossible not to like, he deals with family problems (a dead brother, a drug addicted mother), love, a dying town, and ultimately the battle his town faces against a ruthless mine owner. I think the message is that not everyone is born close to the finish line, but with determination and grit you might just be able to pull yourself somewhere better. I thought it was a great first novel.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
This book held me captive from the moment I picked it up! It really came to life from the first word and I felt completely drawn into the Appalachian culture and fully emerged in the storyline until I put it down three days later (and I never read a book that fast)!!! Very intriguing twists and details kept the pages turning and I could see it like a movie in my mind!!! I will read anything Kristin Russell ever writes!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
The best books are the ones that you can’t put down. A Sky For Us Alone is no exception. I truly enjoyed it!
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