An Uninterrupted View of the Sky

by Melanie Crowder

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132	4	208,692	(4.29)	2
Suspense. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:Modern history unearthed as a boy becomes an innocent victim of corruption in Bolivia's crime world, where the power of family is both a prison and a means of survival. It's 1999 in Bolivia and Francisco's life consists of school, soccer, and trying to find space for himself in his family's cramped yet boisterous home. But when his father is arrested on false charges and sent to prison by a corrupt system that targets the uneducated, the poor, and the indigenous majority, Francisco and his sister are left with no choice: They must move into prison with their father. There, they find a world unlike anything they've ever known, where everything�??a door, a mattress, protection from other inmates�??has its price. Prison life is dirty, dire, and dehumanizing. With their lives upended, Francisco faces an impossible decision: Break up the family and take his sister to their grandparents in the Andean highlands, fleeing the city and the future within his grasp, or remain together in the increasingly dangerous prison. Pulled between two undesirable options, Francisco must confront everything he once believed about the world and his place within it. In this heart-wrenching novel, Melanie Crowder sheds light on a little-known era of modern South American history�??where injustice still looms large�??and proves that hope can be found, even in the most desperate places. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys, Matt de la Pena, and Jacqueline Woodson. Praise for An Uninterrupted View of the Sky: �?? "Crowder delivers a disturbing portrait of innocent families trapped in corrupt systems, as well as a testament to the strength of enduring cultural traditions and the possibility of finding family in the unlikeliest places."�??Publishers Weekly, starred review �?? "Readers will feel utterly invested in Francisco's various challenges...A riveting, Dickensian tale."�??Kirkus, starred review �?? "Themes of poverty, social injustice...violence toward women, coming-of-age, romantic love, and a sliver of precarious hope are woven into the plot...[An] important addition to libraries."�??School Library Journal, starred review "[A] trenchant novel...This hard-hitting, ultimately hopeful story will open readers�?? eyes to a lesser-known historical moment and the far-reaching implications of U.S. policy."�??Booklist "[This novel] is raw, gripping, poetic and bold....Crowder takes you on an emotional pilgrimage that you won�??t want to end."�??RT Book Reviews, five-starred review Praise for Audacity: 2015 National Jewish Book Award finalist Washington Post Best Children�??s Poetry Book New York Public Library Best Book for Teens ILA Notable Book for a Global Society ALA Top 10 Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick ALSC Notable Children's Book nominee �?? "Crowder breathes life into a world long past...Compelling, powerful and unforgettable."�??Kirkus Reviews, starred review �?? "[An] impactful addition to any historical fiction collection."�??School Library Journal, starred review �?? "With a thorough historical note, glossary of terms, and bibliography, this will make an excellent complement to units on women�??s rights and the labor movement, but it will also satisfy readers in search of a well-told tale of a fierce heroine."�??BCCB, starred review �?? "This is an excellent tit… (more)

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CW: Attempted sexual assault of a child by a prison inmate

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Mrs_Tapsell_Bookzone | Feb 14, 2023 |

Another heavy book to read with my son. We enjoyed it, despite his groaning and eye-rolling at the romantic bits, but it really is brutal, kids in Bolivia living in prison with their incarcerated parents. It's like the US Drug War my spouse and I demonstrated against on steroids (pardon the expression). I feel a sense of despair when I try to imagine a way through the lasting effects of colonialism around the world. (Build Your Library, Level 7) (

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ImperfectCJ | Mar 10, 2022 |

This fictional account of Francisco’s life takes an unexpected turn when his dad is arrested under false pretenses. The book exposes the hardships indigenous people in Bolivia still endure. Includes Author’s Note, Glossary, Selected Sources.

NCSS | Jul 23, 2021 |

Striking story of a boy from Bolivia and what happens when his indio father is arrested and thrown in prison. His mother abandons them, apparently without much thought, and the Francisco and his sister, Pilar must live in the prison. They are not the only ones. Each day they leave the prison and walk to school. They have very little food and have to wash in a bucket since going to the men's showers is out of the question. Through all of this Francisco writes poetry. Encouraged by his teacher he reaches into himself to pour his feelings on paper. Soon he makes friends with a girl who also lives in the prison.

This is a story that takes place every day in Bolivia. The U.S. pushed the government to create a law that makes it too easy to arrest anyone who even looks like they may be dealing or making cocaine. And it seems that it is too easy for mothers to walk away from their families too.

This book is for those readers who like to investigate what life is like in other parts of the world. (

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mamzel | Nov 13, 2017 |

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In Memory of
Michelle Begley and
Dra. Wendy Lagrava Zamorano

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It's just a bare rectangle of dirt, maybe half the size of a real field.

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Suspense. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:Modern history unearthed as a boy becomes an innocent victim of corruption in Bolivia's crime world, where the power of family is both a prison and a means of survival.

It's 1999 in Bolivia and Francisco's life consists of school, soccer, and trying to find space for himself in his family's cramped yet boisterous home. But when his father is arrested on false charges and sent to prison by a corrupt system that targets the uneducated, the poor, and the indigenous majority, Francisco and his sister are left with no choice: They must move into prison with their father. There, they find a world unlike anything they've ever known, where everything�??a door, a mattress, protection from other inmates�??has its price.

Prison life is dirty, dire, and dehumanizing. With their lives upended, Francisco faces an impossible decision: Break up the family and take his sister to their grandparents in the Andean highlands, fleeing the city and the future within his grasp, or remain together in the increasingly dangerous prison. Pulled between two undesirable options, Francisco must confront everything he once believed about the world and his place within it.

In this heart-wrenching novel, Melanie Crowder sheds light on a little-known era of modern South American history�??where injustice still looms large�??and proves that hope can be found, even in the most desperate places.

Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys, Matt de la Pena, and Jacqueline Woodson.

Praise for An Uninterrupted View of the Sky:
�?? "Crowder delivers a disturbing portrait of innocent families trapped in corrupt systems, as well as a testament to the strength of enduring cultural traditions and the possibility of finding family in the unlikeliest places."�??Publishers Weekly, starred review

�?? "Readers will feel utterly invested in Francisco's various challenges...A riveting, Dickensian tale."�??Kirkus, starred review

�?? "Themes of poverty, social injustice...violence toward women, coming-of-age, romantic love, and a sliver of precarious hope are woven into the plot...[An] important addition to libraries."�??School Library Journal, starred review

"[A] trenchant novel...This hard-hitting, ultimately hopeful story will open readers�?? eyes to a lesser-known historical moment and the far-reaching implications of U.S. policy."�??Booklist

"[This novel] is raw, gripping, poetic and bold....Crowder takes you on an emotional pilgrimage that you won�??t want to end."�??RT Book Reviews, five-starred review

Praise for Audacity:
2015 National Jewish Book Award finalist
Washington Post Best Children�??s Poetry Book
New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
ILA Notable Book for a Global Society
ALA Top 10 Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
ALSC Notable Children's Book nominee

�?? "Crowder breathes life into a world long past...Compelling, powerful and unforgettable."�??Kirkus Reviews, starred review

�?? "[An] impactful addition to any historical fiction collection."�??School Library Journal, starred review

�?? "With a thorough historical note, glossary of terms, and bibliography, this will make an excellent complement to units on women�??s rights and the labor movement, but it will also satisfy readers in search of a well-told tale of a fierce heroine."�??BCCB, starred review

�?? "This is an excellent tit

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