Sky Dancers - Paperback

by Connie Ann Kirk (Author), Christy Hale (Illustrator)

John Cloud's father is a steelworker building skyscrapers in New York City, far away from their home upstate on the Mohawk Reservation.

When Papa is home on weekends, John Cloud stays close by his father's side, helping him with his work.

Between weekends John Cloud misses Papa and longs to visit him in the city. One day Mama agrees to take him there. New York City turns out to be busy and noisy, but what really astonishes John Cloud is seeing Papa on a high cross beam of the Empire State Building, the tallest skyscraper in the world. John Cloud feels as if his heart will burst with pride and amazement as he watches his father dance across the sky.

Set in the early 1930s and based on the history of Mohawk steelworkers, Sky Dancers is a warm celebration of family, courage, and the forces of nature. Sensitively told and stunningly illustrated, this is a story for all ages.

Author Biography

Connie Ann Kirk has written several nonfiction books for young readers, including The Mohawks of North America. She is also the author of the reference, Companion to American Children's Picture Books. A descendant of the Iroquois (Seneca), Kirk was inspired to write the picture book Sky Dancers by her father's carpentry work. She researched extensively the Mohawks' role in building the skyscrapers and bridges of New York City and the history of the Empire State Building. Kirk lives in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. To find out more about Connie Ann Kirk, visit her website: connieannkirk.com.

Christy Haleis the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including four published by Lee & Low, and she has illustrated numerous other award-winning picture books as well. Hale also works in the children's book field as an art director, a designer, and an educator, offering programs at schools, libraries, and museums. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can learn more about her at christyhale.com.