Candlemas Eve — Edward Bloor

Candlemas Eve begins in 1880 in the north of England, in the smoke and fire of the Industrial Revolution. Jack and Celeste Potter find themselves orphaned in a world that is unforgiving to the poor and the friendless. As a result, they embark on separate journeys--Jack emigrating to America to make his fortune, and Celeste staying behind to survive as best she can. Candlemas Eve is the prequel to Edward Bloor's Summer of Smoke, a novel describing America's tumultuous race riots in the spring and summer of 1968.
Edward Bloor is the author of Tangerine, London Calling, and other award-winning novels for young adults.