Super Short Summary

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee is a young adult historical novel about Samantha Young, who, after accidentally killing her attempted rapist and losing her father in a fire, flees westward disguised as a boy with Annamae, an enslaved teen seeking freedom. Together, they navigate dangers and form bonds with a group of cowboys while confronting issues of identity, gender roles, and racism during their journey on the Oregon Trail. The novel contains racist language and depictions of violent acts, including attempted rape and murder.