Sarny is the follow-up to Nightjohn (please refer to the separate entry), and it is also narrated by Sarny. In Nightjohn, Sarny is a twelve-year-old girl who learns to read and write from a formidable man named Nightjohn. Paulsen has received numerous inquiries about Sarny's fate after the conclusion of Nightjohn, and Sarny serves as a response to these questions.

Sarny is a historical novel that explores the end of slavery in America and the subsequent years in the South. The story is told by Sarny, who is now ninety-four years old and residing in a convalescent hospital, where she admitted herself several years earlier when she realized she was unable to care for herself. Her narrative delves into the brutal realities of slavery and the Civil War, while also highlighting resilience, determination, and intelligence. Sarny is an unforgettable character, committed to her friends and dedicated to Nightjohn's mission of promoting literacy among African Americans.