Beneath the Same Sky

In the shadow of the War of 1812, a riveting tale unfolds during the pivotal Battle of Baltimore. This historical fiction novel intricately weaves the lives of several individuals against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. Francis Scott Key, detained aboard a British ship, pens the words that would become the Star-Spangled Banner. Meanwhile, Frederick Hall, an escaped slave, bravely fights for the American side that denied him his freedom. Amidst the build up to war, young Grace Wisher, an indentured servant, pours her skill and silent hopes into the very stitches and fabric of the American flag that billows defiantly over Fort McHenry.

As the battle rages, these and other characters confront the deepest convictions: Key, witnessing the resiliency of his national flag still standing amidst chaos; Hall a slave battling for a county that has stripped away all he holds dear; and Grace, whose stitches on the flag are interlaces with a poignant irony. This historical fiction novel explores the complexities of patriotism, freedom, and identity during one of America’s defining moments, asking the evocative question: How can individuals so deeply wronged by their nation, contribute so profoundly to its legacy?