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“A New York Times bestseller!

Jewell Parker Rhodes, bestselling and award-winning author, takes readers on a gripping journey to the American West in this powerful historical adventure.

It’s 1889, just twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family dreams of owning land instead of working someone else’s. When Will and his father learn about the Oklahoma Land Rush, they set out from Texas, racing against thousands of others for the chance to claim free land—if they can reach it in time.

Their journey is fraught with danger. Harsh terrain, ruthless bandits, and the constant threat of violence make every mile a challenge. Along the way, they cross paths with a mysterious soldier named Caesar, whose Union uniform attracts both attention and trouble.

For all three, this race is about more than land—it’s about freedom, opportunity, and the hope of a better future. But with so much standing in their way, will determination be enough to see them through?

Praised by *School Library Journal* in a starred review, Rhodes delivers a poignant and powerful look at racism, resilience, and the untold stories of the historic land rush.”