Thirteen-year-old Luli Holcomb has lived her entire life on the
family ranch in Texas. With her father weak from illness and her
mother busy helping to run the ranch, Luli's older brother, Gabe,
takes charge of her. But he doesn't teach her the ways of a proper
southern belle. Instead, Gabe instructs her how to shoot guns, ride
and care for horses, and survive in the Texas wilderness.

The other influential person in Luli's life is Sis Goose. Sis
Goose's enslaved mother dies right after giving birth, and her
white riverboat father is completely uninterested. He immediately
gives her to Luli's aunt, who in turn hands her over to Luli's mom.
Three years older and unofficially adopted into the family as a
baby, Sis Goose and Luli are best friends and sisters. Though
legally a slave and belonging to Luli's aunt, Sis Goose is
considered family; she goes with them to parties and balls, and
shares a bedroom and an education right alongside Luli.

Being in Texas and so far away from the other states, the Civil War
seems a million miles away, yet the Holcomb family still feels the
effects. Blockades force them to do without coffee and silk
dresses, and Gabe enlists in the Confederacy --- though his job is
to fight the nearby Native Americans, not the Union soldiers. And
then one day a fellow arrives announcing that Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation has set the slaves free. But the entire
Holcomb family rebukes it as just a false rumor, despite knowing
the contrary. On orders of her parents and Gabe, Luli must lie to
her best friend and sister.

When asked why, Luli is told that all Texas ranchers are keeping
the secret. If the slaves knew the truth, then the crops would
never be harvested, not to mention they would stage a bloody
uprising and many people would die. So Luli hides the truth even
though it burns inside of her. She knows that eventually the facts
will emerge and wonders if Sis Goose will ever forgive her. And
then one day, in June 1865, the Union soldiers arrive at their
ranch, and the truth is finally revealed.

Ann Rinaldi has vast experience in writing historical novels, and
her incredible talent shines through once again. She perfectly
brings the past back to life, including all of the hardships and
challenges, the joy and the sorrow. Readers will be drawn into the
story, quickly caring about the realistic characters and the
impossible situations they must wade through. COME JUNETEENTH is a
wonderful read for
everyone!          

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