New York Historical Society awarded a Kittery author for the finest American history novel for middle grade readers.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the winner of the Children’s History Book Prize for “We Own the Sky” is a New England native.  Rodman Philbrick, a resident of Maine, based his award-winning novel around the state in the 1920s.

The book centers around orphans Davy and Jo Michaud, who are taken in by a distant relative. Philbrick shines a light on a point in Northeast’s history when Ku Klux Klan ideologies were on the rise and when hatred towards immigrants were taking place.

Dr. Louise Mirrer, CEO of the New York Historical Society, said the organization is delighted to give this award to Philbrick, who is shedding light on a “little-known portion of history.”

A ceremony will take place for the Children’s History Book Prize on June 14th. Rodman Philbrick will be awarded $10,000.