[MILD IMPLIED SPOILER]
I enjoyed this continuation of Sarny's life even more than the first book. I felt for her in her hardships, cheered for her in her persistence and was glad she found happiness in the end. It was definitely a satisfying conclusion to Nightjohn. ( )

Sarny was a beautifully written story about a slave named Sarny. The story begins at a time when the the Civil War has just ended and Union soldiers are galloping across the south, skirmishes are still happening. Sarny's children have been sent away from the plantation just days ago. Sarny is now free to go find them. Free, but not out of danger. ( )

Sarny is a wonderful YA book by Gary Paulsen. Set at the end of the Civil War it tells the tale of one woman who was set free and who struggled to find her way in the 'new world'. The first step of which was to walk to New Orleans to search for her two young children who had been sold.

The book is a follow-up to Paulsen's Nightjohn and is told from the perspective of Sarny as an old woman in a retirement home. In some sense it's more fanciful than Nightjohn, in that it's less focused on the institution of slavery, and more of a good old-fashioned tale. However, Paulsen doesn't abandon his criticism of the 'evil institution', nor does he fail to focus on the horrors and waste of war. He does an excellent job capturing both in the battle scenes and remembrances.

I highly recommend this book. It's a good story and it poignantly addresses the Civil War timeframe, the hopes and horrors.

mini-review from Pam T~
(booksforkids-reviews) ( )