The Peppered Sky

by Sarah Doran, Beth Snider (Illustrator)

Celebrate military family life with Haleigh and Mason as they adventure into a world of Airborne drop zones, military aircraft, and U.S. paratroopers! After the school day is done, the adventuring begins as this military family makes their way to witness a mesmerizing training exercise in the sky. Written in rhyme and told from a military child's perspective, The Peppered Sky is sure to delight readers, both military and civilian alike!

Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2023

Reviews

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Peppered Sky is a lyrical, brilliant, beautiful, moving, heartwarming, and whimsical story! This lovely book is written in a poetic form which adds the beauty of this read. I felt very moved while reading this story. With the illustrations, childlike excitement of the characters, and careful word choice I could tell the seemingly ordinary day was leading up to something big. That something was a paratrooper practice jump. As the children watch their father float down in the sky a deep appreciation for all members of the Armed Forces and all they do to keep us safe and ensure our freedoms is expressed. This book is beautiful!

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Peppered Sky is a children’s book by Sarah Doran. The story follows Haleigh and Mason as they leave school and go on an outing with their mother. The family arrives at sand dunes where planes release men at sunset who parachute to the ground. Among these men is their father, a United States military paratrooper, and they are thankful to be reunited with him. The children embrace their father as he relates an important message about the cost of freedom. Complete with journal questions and writing prompts, Doran encourages her readers to reflect on the story and its meaning.

Sarah Doran’s story will reach the hearts of children who have parents who are actively in the military. Doran was raised in a military family, and she spent time as a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic and crew chief, so her stories pull from a deep understanding of the United States military and the feelings she may have experienced as a child. Children will be captivated by the lovely meter, and Beth Snider’s colorful and vibrant illustrations which show the parachuting paratroopers “peppering” the sky before they land safely. The discussion questions and journal prompts are especially helpful, as they carry the conversation about the material beyond the story and may help children recognize their feelings or develop empathy for others who may be in a situation like Haleigh and Mason’s position. The Peppered Sky is a lovely selection for children who miss a treasured family member while they are in active duty.

[Ryan Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Doran's book "The Peppered Sky" is a glimpse and tribute to the families who stay grounded as they support their parents who protect freedom worldwide. The paratroopers who pepper the sky and then come to earth and hug their children are very illustrative of the lives of those of us who proudly call ourselves Military Brats. The book includes vivid illustrations that do an incredible job of bringing Sarah's poetic passages to life. Questions and activities at the end of the book make this a wonderful book for children of Military personnel and especially for civilian children who can gain a more complete understanding of the shared sacrifice dependents make.

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and optimistic story focused on a military family visiting their father, a paratrooper during a military exercise. This book taught me an aspect of military life that was unknown to me. A great way to normalize the experiences of military families for young readers. Delightful pictures and rhyming verses! This book contains questions and recreational activities at the end, which serves a useful aid for teachers.

[Sarah Rizk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book. My kids enjoyed it. We really liked that there were activities at the end.

[Kimberly Utecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical children’s book for military kiddos!