A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

“Nolen’s tender story of the Wilcomb family’s losses and aspirations will resonate. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, a gentle, lyrical story of a determined Black girl’s journey toward freedom during the Civil War.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Jerdine Nolen’s Calico Girl waves fabrics of freedom in every forward step of her undaunted heroine’s journey. Nolen’s deftly crafted scholarship offers a poignant and hopeful glimpse at the past for today’s curious readers.” —Rita Williams-Garcia, Newberry Honor author

From the award-winning author of Eliza’s Freedom Road comes the powerful tale of a slave girl’s triumphant journey to freedom with her family during the Civil War.

Twelve-year-old Callie Wilcomb and her family are slaves, and the Civil War gives them hope that freedom may be on the horizon. On May 23, 1861, the State of Virginia ratified their vote to secede from the Union. In Virginia, a window was opened where the laws of the land no longer applied. Because of the Contraband Law, slaves no longer had to be returned to their owners, granting them a measure of protection and safety. With the possibility of Callie and her family escaping their bonds forever, Callie is eager to learn and become educated and hopes to teach others one day. Through hardship and loss—with love and strong family ties—Callie proves that freedom is in her stars.