Mahogany L. Browne

4.5 Stars

CW: Bullying, sexual assault

Well that was a powerful YA verse novel about conflict within a friendship.

Mahogany's novel looks at the relatable story of how a once solid friendship breaks down. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and miscommunication are captured beautifully. I also appreciated how the author explored changing dynamics within relationships, and how personal growth alters the way someone connects with or relates to those around them. In this instance, as Sky becomes more show more sure of herself she is less comfortable having such a dominant friend. Lay Li expects Sky to conform to the standards she sets despite Sky not feeling these are a true reflection of who she is. I loved that Mahogany highlighted what equitable friendships look and feel like. Full disclosure, I had a few tear pricks of emotional pride at various points. Also, YES to another YA book with a skilled and ambitious sportswoman as the main character! Thoroughly engaging book about female empowerment. show less

A heartfelt and heart wrenching story with a mix of verse and prose that tells the story of the aftermath of Angel’s toxic relationship with her boyfriend and her mother. She’s sent across the country to live with her Uncle who takes his time in letting her find her footing. She’s enrolled in a new school where she finds the magic of reading books that represent her and what she has gone through. I really liked how Ms. Browne had Angel connect the books to music to express how they show more made an impact on her. The only downside was that the ending just fell flat. I felt that there was much more to the story, not just Angel’s but her Uncle’s, her mother’s and even the friends that she made. It ended too quickly. Let’s hope for more. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. show less

A crushing and fierce novel with an ensemble cast that provides a window into how teens and young adults in New York experienced the pandemic. Some lost parents and were raised by older siblings or grandparents; some went into the foster system or Rikers Island; some worked at bodegas or as community nurses, keeping the fabric of the community strong.

Full cast audio, excellent production, at times hard to listen to (because of the emotional impact).

"I...wear my silver linings like show more jewelry..." (Esmeralda, 133) show less

“I’m not weak … I’m just tired of swinging” (59).

I’ve got a soft spot for books in verse recently. Chlorine Sky is vulnerable. I think this is definitely relatable for a lot of teens.

There’s no teaching moments or hold-your-hand passages. The obvious undercurrent of colorism and sexism doesn’t have to be explained, it’s just there. Sky has insecurities and her best friend no longer acts like one. Lay Li is what Sky visually wants to be and what she thinks boys her show more age/society will accept better. The narrative reads well, and it’s filled with AAVE done right.

4.5 stars

content warning: sexual harassment: boy kisses girl against her will and holds her firmly in place by her shirt show less