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Mid-Air
A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again.
It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah feels lost. He thought this summer was going to be just him and his homies Drew and Darius, hangin’ out, doing wheelies, and watching martial arts movies—a lot of chillin’ before high school and the Future. But more and more, Drew will barely talk to him—barely even look at him—and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows it’s because of Darius, because Darius is…gone.
And Isaiah wasn’t even there when it happened, with his best friend in his final moments. But he’s going to be there now. Him and Drew both, they’re gonna spend the summer breaking every single record they can think of, for Darius, for his dream of breaking world records. But Drew’s not the same Drew, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in music, his love for D&D, his interest in taking photos, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. The real Isaiah is sensitive; he’s uncool.
And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, more contained, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?
It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah feels lost. He thought this summer was going to be just him and his homies Drew and Darius, hangin’ out, doing wheelies, and watching martial arts movies—a lot of chillin’ before high school and the Future. But more and more, Drew will barely talk to him—barely even look at him—and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows it’s because of Darius, because Darius is…gone.
And Isaiah wasn’t even there when it happened, with his best friend in his final moments. But he’s going to be there now. Him and Drew both, they’re gonna spend the summer breaking every single record they can think of, for Darius, for his dream of breaking world records. But Drew’s not the same Drew, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in music, his love for D&D, his interest in taking photos, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. The real Isaiah is sensitive; he’s uncool.
And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, more contained, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2024
About the author
Alicia D. Williams
7 books350 followersWhat's there to know about Alicia D? Well, that depends on who you ask.
If you ask kindergartners, they'd tell you:
1. She likes chunky guacamole.
2. She likes shiny things.
3. She tells good stories.
If you ask her middle schoolers, they'd surely say:
1. She gets us.
2. She makes us laugh with all her jokes.
3. She is Da BOMB.
While all of these may be true, there are a few more points to add . . . Alicia D. is a teacher in Charlotte, NC. She is the proud mother of a brilliant college student. Her love for education stems from conducting school residencies as a Master Teaching Artist of arts-integration. Alicia D infuses her love for drama, movement, and storytelling to inspire students to write. And like other great storytellers, she made the leap into writing--and well, her story continues. Alicia D loves laughing, traveling, and Wonder Woman.
If you ask kindergartners, they'd tell you:
1. She likes chunky guacamole.
2. She likes shiny things.
3. She tells good stories.
If you ask her middle schoolers, they'd surely say:
1. She gets us.
2. She makes us laugh with all her jokes.
3. She is Da BOMB.
While all of these may be true, there are a few more points to add . . . Alicia D. is a teacher in Charlotte, NC. She is the proud mother of a brilliant college student. Her love for education stems from conducting school residencies as a Master Teaching Artist of arts-integration. Alicia D infuses her love for drama, movement, and storytelling to inspire students to write. And like other great storytellers, she made the leap into writing--and well, her story continues. Alicia D loves laughing, traveling, and Wonder Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
September 3, 2024
Alicia D. Williams did it again. This is the perfect coming-of-age novel-in-verse about grief, friendship, growing up, and learning to be yourself. I can’t wait to get this in the hands of some middle schoolers. Maybe my top pick for Newbery.
April 9, 2024
What a read! Alicia did it again, capturing the world of a black teenager and his journey through his development along with his obstacles to overcome. Love that this story is in verse.
Shelved as 'notes-on-unfinished-books'
May 25, 2024Underwhelming.
I read 24 pages.
I came into this book with the best possible attitude, having previously been impressed by the author, generally liking narrative poetry and working with students who use all the slang contained herein.
However, this came across as what my students would call "tryhard." It gave off major "Hello, fellow kids" energy instead of sounding authentic. The main character was way too self-aware and direct in describing himself for it to be believable.
Minor gripes:
*Word misspelled at the top of page two. It jumps out a lot more in a poetry book than it would otherwise.
* There were no Metallica 1980 t shirts because the band didn't exist yet. For a narrator who claims to be a rock fan, this is pretty glaring.
I read 24 pages.
I came into this book with the best possible attitude, having previously been impressed by the author, generally liking narrative poetry and working with students who use all the slang contained herein.
However, this came across as what my students would call "tryhard." It gave off major "Hello, fellow kids" energy instead of sounding authentic. The main character was way too self-aware and direct in describing himself for it to be believable.
Minor gripes:
*Word misspelled at the top of page two. It jumps out a lot more in a poetry book than it would otherwise.
* There were no Metallica 1980 t shirts because the band didn't exist yet. For a narrator who claims to be a rock fan, this is pretty glaring.
November 13, 2023
“Grief,” he says, “is one of those emotions that’ll consume you, if you don’t take care of yourself. Trust me, I know.”
🚲
It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah is lost. His best friend just died and his other best friend is shutting him out. What was going to be a summer of breaking records ends up being one where Isaiah is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle. There he meets a girl, creates new friendships and starts to recognize and voice all the emotions that he’s been struggling with. Isaiah is holding a lot in; what will happen when he lets it all out?
🛹
This is @authoraliciadwilliams sophomore MG novel and it’s a novel in verse with gorgeous illustrations. This book deals with a lot of topical issues such as toxic masculinity, police brutality, imprisonment and more that many students will relate and connect with. I highly recommend this title for middle grade and above readers. It releases April 23.
CW: death, car accident, physical attack, toxic masculinity, misogyny, imprisonment, police brutality, parental abandonment, grief
🚲
It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah is lost. His best friend just died and his other best friend is shutting him out. What was going to be a summer of breaking records ends up being one where Isaiah is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle. There he meets a girl, creates new friendships and starts to recognize and voice all the emotions that he’s been struggling with. Isaiah is holding a lot in; what will happen when he lets it all out?
🛹
This is @authoraliciadwilliams sophomore MG novel and it’s a novel in verse with gorgeous illustrations. This book deals with a lot of topical issues such as toxic masculinity, police brutality, imprisonment and more that many students will relate and connect with. I highly recommend this title for middle grade and above readers. It releases April 23.
CW: death, car accident, physical attack, toxic masculinity, misogyny, imprisonment, police brutality, parental abandonment, grief
June 7, 2024
Isaiah likes skateboarding, plants and rock music, activities that set him apart from most of his peers, so he hides a good deal of his true self. His two friends, Darius and Drew are both adventurous and up for any stunt, no matter how crazy or dangerous. Isaiah tries to go along, but his friends know he will probably choke. When Darius is killed during a stunt, Isaiah is left wondering if Darius ' death was his fault. Drew closes down and Isaiah is forced to confront issues of friendship, personal choice, and vulnerability and transparency. I found that Isaiah and the other characters to be well drawn with authentic voices and the novel in verse to be superbly paced.
June 7, 2024
4.5 rounded to 5 🌟
This book was stunning. Dealt with some potentially heavy themes like racism, death of a friend, etc. but did so in such a gentle and accessible way for all audiences. I loved the fact that joy was at the center of this. There was such an emphasis on all people’s, especially those who are marginalized, birthright being a life defined by only yourself. We’re all entitled to joy. I think everyone should read this
This book was stunning. Dealt with some potentially heavy themes like racism, death of a friend, etc. but did so in such a gentle and accessible way for all audiences. I loved the fact that joy was at the center of this. There was such an emphasis on all people’s, especially those who are marginalized, birthright being a life defined by only yourself. We’re all entitled to joy. I think everyone should read this
September 10, 2024
this book is written in verse. Three best friends at the end of 8th grade, deal with a tragedy. Isaiah struggles and they aren't as good friends as they used to be. His parents see him and worry. So they send him to live with his aunt and uncle for the summer, in hopes of clearing his head. Life is tough, glad he has parents and family to support him.
May 11, 2024
My first novel in verse! I really liked what the author was able to portray, the voice and emotion through her words. Realistic fiction, grief and loss, courage and friendship. 12+
July 11, 2024
Wow! Mid-Air is amazing!! Highly recommend this books for our middle grade learning communities!
April 3, 2024
This was a beautiful example of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of how our society treats Black boys like grown criminals. Teens experiencing friendship heartbreak, discovering identity, and finding love in the cracks of tough moments will appreciate this. I will for sure be buying this for my class library.
Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read!
Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read!
November 29, 2023
Alicia D. Williams' second middle grade novel (after the phenomenal Genesis Begins Again) is a novel in verse about a young boy named Isaiah, who is dealing with a major loss, as well as a feeling that he can't let those around him know his true self.
Williams' use of verse helps to showcase Isaiah's emotional journey and helps us to identify with his character. We spend every page of the book with his thoughts and Williams uses this intentionally limiting frame to great effect.
This book is perfect for fans of Genesis Begins Again--Williams once again tackles difficult subjects with emotional depth and clarity. It is also a great option for fans of other novels in verse (Starfish, A Work in Progress, and The Poet X come to mind).
Williams writes middle grade with heart and vision. She never talks down to her readers, trusting them to navigate the complexity of her characters' emotions. The book is a wonderful meditation on masculinity, understanding (and accepting) ourselves, and the fluidity of both gender and friendship. Absolutely loved this one!
Williams' use of verse helps to showcase Isaiah's emotional journey and helps us to identify with his character. We spend every page of the book with his thoughts and Williams uses this intentionally limiting frame to great effect.
This book is perfect for fans of Genesis Begins Again--Williams once again tackles difficult subjects with emotional depth and clarity. It is also a great option for fans of other novels in verse (Starfish, A Work in Progress, and The Poet X come to mind).
Williams writes middle grade with heart and vision. She never talks down to her readers, trusting them to navigate the complexity of her characters' emotions. The book is a wonderful meditation on masculinity, understanding (and accepting) ourselves, and the fluidity of both gender and friendship. Absolutely loved this one!
July 12, 2024
I missed Genesis Begins Again. That sounds silly. How do you miss a book? Can’t you just pick it up anytime and read it? Normally, yes, and I could certainly do that right now if I wanted to. Could just walk over to a library or bookstore, pick up a copy, and start to read. But as a children’s book reviewer I hold myself to a weird rule. There are so many children’s books published in a given year, SO MANY, that it can be difficult to sort through them and figure out which ones to read. If you’re trying to read the best ones, you have to cut something out, so I long ago instituted a rule where I only read kids’ books in their current publication year. Have I broken this rule? Occasionally, but by and large I’m pretty good about it. And then came the Newbery Awards for the best written books for kids and I realized belatedly that I hadn’t read one of the Honor winners. Worse, the Newberys are announced in the following publishing year. I still intended to go back and listen to the audiobook or something, but time passed. More and more and more books were coming out, and in time I just sort of forgot. All this is a roundabout way of saying that in a way, when I came to read Mid Air I was still fresh. I hadn’t encountered the writing of Ms. Alicia D. Williams for myself, firsthand, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I mean, people have won Newbery Honors for pretty mediocre books, right? Maybe, but I suspect you would not be able to add Ms. Williams to that list. If you can imagine a 46-year-old woman on an airplane, snot and tears pouring out of her while she downs a title intended for 12-year-olds, then you’ve a fairly clear picture of what this doggone book just did to me. Mid Air is an ambitious little number with a multi-layered plot and characters you somehow manage to get to know and care about through a brief scattering of words. I missed Genesis Begins Again. Make sure you don’t miss Mid Air.
Bet. It’s a magic word. With it, Isaiah and his two best friends Drew and Darius can attempt all kinds of incredible stunts and tricks. True, Isaiah’s probably more likely to choke than either of the other two, like the time they almost got him to go down the world’s biggest dirt mound. But when one of their bets has tragic consequences and Darius dies, Isaiah and Drew the bets die too, and the two are left to pick up the pieces. And what do you even do when your friend is dead? Drew won’t talk about it and then Isaiah gets beaten up by one of the men inadvertently responsible for Darius’s death. Things are bad all around, but when Isaiah has a chance to stay with family in North Carolina, he finds a healing there he could never have found at home.
This book is probably single-handedly responsible for changing an old and (frankly) outdated belief of mine regarding verse fiction. It has always been my opinion that if you are going to write a book in verse, you need to justify that choice in some way. I think we’ve all encountered middle grade novels for kids that are in verse just because it makes the book look longer. But after reading Mid Air I want to revise that thinking a tad. Maybe it’s not that you need to justify the format. Maybe you just need to make the format do the work it needs to do to tell its story correctly. I don’t know that Ms. Williams would describe herself as a poet, but there is some serious lyricism at work on these pages. Even better, she has a way of making the verse on the page reflect the inflections of a person’s voice when they’re speaking. With her writing, the verse is mirroring the awkward stops, the pauses, or the running, rolling sentences.
Honestly, Mid Air may be the best example I’ve seen in a while of a book that would both be interesting for kids to read and also contains just a plethora of outright lyrical sentences. Like when Drew comes over to Isaiah’s house to sleep sometimes and it says, “His navy-blue hoodie swallows his head. He wraps himself cocoon tight. I stay silent, waiting for him to work out each knot, looping and unlooping, until whatever’s got him tied up unravels.” I mean, that’s just so beautifully put together. Later, there’s a moment when Isaiah says that his mom told him she wanted a girl, so as to teacher her own to be brave, bold and fierce. “But God saw fit to / take away one of my X / chromosomes. Turn it Y. / Guess those lessons… / those lessons / weren’t meant for / me.”
Now I’d be the first person to say that the book isn’t exactly a laugh riot. I mean, there are a lot more dead kids in this title that I’m necessarily comfortable with (anything over zero is, in my book, “a lot”). And my 10-year-old son just attempted to convince me that the death of any kid in a novel automatically makes it YA (we disagree on this point). Still, Williams is the kind of smart writer who knows that if you can inject a little levity onto these pages, that’s going to go a long way towards convincing young readers that they like the person making the joke (in this case, the main character). So, for example, when Isaiah at the beginning of the book says that the hill he and his friends are thinking about conquering is janky, the book reads, “But dang, wasn’t picturing a bootleg Mount Kilimanjaro.” Or later when he discusses Darius’s love of comics. “Knew Marvel’s and DC’s universes like he had dual citizenship.” This would never be called a funny book, but it's no slog either.
It seems a bit odd if I don’t mention the watercolors that pepper this book throughout. A little unfair too, since the review copy I was given of this title contained an incomplete number of them. Suffice to say the ones I was able to see were beautiful. They pepper the book at key points, never distracting from the text. Only adding. You don’t necessarily need them, of course, but there’s something about them that alleviates some of the tension in the text. They’re interstitial and not strictly necessary, but neither do they distract from the writing. And for those kids that need them, they’ll be there.
I’ll be frank. I have no idea how you write a book like this. A book that just layers its plots and emotions, one on top of another, without ever losing sight of the themes and the bigger picture. How do you know how much personality to include at the story’s beginning so that when Darius dies it’s as much a shock to the reader as the main character? If you’re writing in verse, how do you layer the hurt and the shock and the betrayal and (most importantly) the survivor’s guilt that Isaiah and Drew are dealing with? How do you write a book where two characters live through the same event but are processing it in two different ways? And how do you make it compelling and good? Yeah, I have no answers for you, unless the answer is just me holding this book up, pointing to it, and saying, “Uh, like this. Here.” Because Mid Air IS the answer to those questions. Adept and fleet footed with nary a misstep, allow me to recommend a little something to wring your heart out and then pump it up all over again. Exquisitely crafted.
Bet. It’s a magic word. With it, Isaiah and his two best friends Drew and Darius can attempt all kinds of incredible stunts and tricks. True, Isaiah’s probably more likely to choke than either of the other two, like the time they almost got him to go down the world’s biggest dirt mound. But when one of their bets has tragic consequences and Darius dies, Isaiah and Drew the bets die too, and the two are left to pick up the pieces. And what do you even do when your friend is dead? Drew won’t talk about it and then Isaiah gets beaten up by one of the men inadvertently responsible for Darius’s death. Things are bad all around, but when Isaiah has a chance to stay with family in North Carolina, he finds a healing there he could never have found at home.
This book is probably single-handedly responsible for changing an old and (frankly) outdated belief of mine regarding verse fiction. It has always been my opinion that if you are going to write a book in verse, you need to justify that choice in some way. I think we’ve all encountered middle grade novels for kids that are in verse just because it makes the book look longer. But after reading Mid Air I want to revise that thinking a tad. Maybe it’s not that you need to justify the format. Maybe you just need to make the format do the work it needs to do to tell its story correctly. I don’t know that Ms. Williams would describe herself as a poet, but there is some serious lyricism at work on these pages. Even better, she has a way of making the verse on the page reflect the inflections of a person’s voice when they’re speaking. With her writing, the verse is mirroring the awkward stops, the pauses, or the running, rolling sentences.
Honestly, Mid Air may be the best example I’ve seen in a while of a book that would both be interesting for kids to read and also contains just a plethora of outright lyrical sentences. Like when Drew comes over to Isaiah’s house to sleep sometimes and it says, “His navy-blue hoodie swallows his head. He wraps himself cocoon tight. I stay silent, waiting for him to work out each knot, looping and unlooping, until whatever’s got him tied up unravels.” I mean, that’s just so beautifully put together. Later, there’s a moment when Isaiah says that his mom told him she wanted a girl, so as to teacher her own to be brave, bold and fierce. “But God saw fit to / take away one of my X / chromosomes. Turn it Y. / Guess those lessons… / those lessons / weren’t meant for / me.”
Now I’d be the first person to say that the book isn’t exactly a laugh riot. I mean, there are a lot more dead kids in this title that I’m necessarily comfortable with (anything over zero is, in my book, “a lot”). And my 10-year-old son just attempted to convince me that the death of any kid in a novel automatically makes it YA (we disagree on this point). Still, Williams is the kind of smart writer who knows that if you can inject a little levity onto these pages, that’s going to go a long way towards convincing young readers that they like the person making the joke (in this case, the main character). So, for example, when Isaiah at the beginning of the book says that the hill he and his friends are thinking about conquering is janky, the book reads, “But dang, wasn’t picturing a bootleg Mount Kilimanjaro.” Or later when he discusses Darius’s love of comics. “Knew Marvel’s and DC’s universes like he had dual citizenship.” This would never be called a funny book, but it's no slog either.
It seems a bit odd if I don’t mention the watercolors that pepper this book throughout. A little unfair too, since the review copy I was given of this title contained an incomplete number of them. Suffice to say the ones I was able to see were beautiful. They pepper the book at key points, never distracting from the text. Only adding. You don’t necessarily need them, of course, but there’s something about them that alleviates some of the tension in the text. They’re interstitial and not strictly necessary, but neither do they distract from the writing. And for those kids that need them, they’ll be there.
I’ll be frank. I have no idea how you write a book like this. A book that just layers its plots and emotions, one on top of another, without ever losing sight of the themes and the bigger picture. How do you know how much personality to include at the story’s beginning so that when Darius dies it’s as much a shock to the reader as the main character? If you’re writing in verse, how do you layer the hurt and the shock and the betrayal and (most importantly) the survivor’s guilt that Isaiah and Drew are dealing with? How do you write a book where two characters live through the same event but are processing it in two different ways? And how do you make it compelling and good? Yeah, I have no answers for you, unless the answer is just me holding this book up, pointing to it, and saying, “Uh, like this. Here.” Because Mid Air IS the answer to those questions. Adept and fleet footed with nary a misstep, allow me to recommend a little something to wring your heart out and then pump it up all over again. Exquisitely crafted.
February 13, 2024
ARC provided by Follett First Look
Isaiah has been friends with Darius and Drew for a long time, and the three often try to break world records, often involving their skateboards. Both Drew and Isaiah have to deal with fathers who frequently travel; Isaiah's father is a photographer for National Geographic while Drew's is in the military. While he gets a long with these friends, Isaiah doesn't tell them everything about himself. He collects vintage concert t shirts from heavy metal groups that his friends consider "too white", he enjoys helping his mother with plants for her business, and he secretly enjoys wearing nail polish. His father thinks he should "toughen up", but sometimes the stunts that his friends want to pull are too much for him. When the three try to break a record for wheelies, they head to a neighborhood with better street surfaces and encounter someone who yells at them to leave. Tragedy occurs when the melee ends with Drew not seeing a car approaching. Both Isaiah and Drew are devasted by their friend's death and think it's their fault. Drew becomes very quiet, leaving Isaiah to suffer alone. During the summer, Isaiah is sent to live with relatives and help on the farm, which is very therapeutic. He meets a girl, Kiana, who accepts his "softer" side and even gives him black nail polish to wear. When he returns home, he has a better grasp of who he is, connects more with Darius, and gets ready to start high school as his authentic self.
Strengths: Like Williams' Genesis Begins Again, this is a great exploration of personal identity, a very important topic in middle grade literature. It's interesting to see her embrace the novel in verse format. I particularly enjoyed Isaiah's relationship with both of his parents, which was close but somehow detached in the way that parent-child relationships tend to become when children get into high school and have to decide who they are in the world at large. The grief is certainly there, but I appreciated that Isaiah was working at overcoming his guilt and really trying to figure out how to move forward. The difficulties with Drew are also well portrayed, and the fact that Isaiah is concentrating on his own issues and not really understanding what his friend is going through is absolutely true to life. There's a lot of healing and understanding that goes on, leaving this book with a hopeful ending as Isaiah starts high school unafraid to show the world his interests.
Weaknesses: This is a rather contemplative and long novel, which would probably appeal very much to Isaiah himself, but doesn't have as much action as the cover would indicate. On the bright side, it is a book that involves skateboarding without involving the characters in building a skate park.
What I really think: This is not quite as philosophical as Rhodes' Ghost Boys, Draper's Tears of a Tiger, or Alexander's Rebound, and is equal parts dealing with grief and finding personal identity. This is a good choice for readers who want to read about more well rounded male friendships, like those in Jung's The Boys in the Back Row, Lucas' Thanks a Lot, Universe. or Craft's New Kid.
Isaiah has been friends with Darius and Drew for a long time, and the three often try to break world records, often involving their skateboards. Both Drew and Isaiah have to deal with fathers who frequently travel; Isaiah's father is a photographer for National Geographic while Drew's is in the military. While he gets a long with these friends, Isaiah doesn't tell them everything about himself. He collects vintage concert t shirts from heavy metal groups that his friends consider "too white", he enjoys helping his mother with plants for her business, and he secretly enjoys wearing nail polish. His father thinks he should "toughen up", but sometimes the stunts that his friends want to pull are too much for him. When the three try to break a record for wheelies, they head to a neighborhood with better street surfaces and encounter someone who yells at them to leave. Tragedy occurs when the melee ends with Drew not seeing a car approaching. Both Isaiah and Drew are devasted by their friend's death and think it's their fault. Drew becomes very quiet, leaving Isaiah to suffer alone. During the summer, Isaiah is sent to live with relatives and help on the farm, which is very therapeutic. He meets a girl, Kiana, who accepts his "softer" side and even gives him black nail polish to wear. When he returns home, he has a better grasp of who he is, connects more with Darius, and gets ready to start high school as his authentic self.
Strengths: Like Williams' Genesis Begins Again, this is a great exploration of personal identity, a very important topic in middle grade literature. It's interesting to see her embrace the novel in verse format. I particularly enjoyed Isaiah's relationship with both of his parents, which was close but somehow detached in the way that parent-child relationships tend to become when children get into high school and have to decide who they are in the world at large. The grief is certainly there, but I appreciated that Isaiah was working at overcoming his guilt and really trying to figure out how to move forward. The difficulties with Drew are also well portrayed, and the fact that Isaiah is concentrating on his own issues and not really understanding what his friend is going through is absolutely true to life. There's a lot of healing and understanding that goes on, leaving this book with a hopeful ending as Isaiah starts high school unafraid to show the world his interests.
Weaknesses: This is a rather contemplative and long novel, which would probably appeal very much to Isaiah himself, but doesn't have as much action as the cover would indicate. On the bright side, it is a book that involves skateboarding without involving the characters in building a skate park.
What I really think: This is not quite as philosophical as Rhodes' Ghost Boys, Draper's Tears of a Tiger, or Alexander's Rebound, and is equal parts dealing with grief and finding personal identity. This is a good choice for readers who want to read about more well rounded male friendships, like those in Jung's The Boys in the Back Row, Lucas' Thanks a Lot, Universe. or Craft's New Kid.
January 24, 2024
What worked:
First off, I’m not typically a lover of novels written in verse but the narrator’s voice uses slang and vocabulary making the words relatable and appealing for readers. The lines often sound like free verse with the words expressing the emotions and thoughts of the characters. A critical moment uses the words, “I scream… CARRR-CARRR!... Too… late.” Some of the lines read like sentences so young readers shouldn’t be intimidated or challenged to read them. Italicized phrases let readers know when characters are speaking to each other. The poetic narrative controls the pacing of the words to fully express the deep feelings and thoughts of the tragic accident and the emotional recovery.
Isaiah is the main character and his love of music is common among middle-graders, although his interest in classic rock groups is not. He has a secret collection of classic concert t-shirts with Aerosmith being his latest addition. Kids at this age sometimes have interests that might become embarrassing so Isaiah dresses up in his shirts and listens to the oldies rock songs in the safety of his closet. His friends sometimes comment that he’s a black boy trying to be white so he can’t let any of them know his secrets. Also, his dad thinks Isaiah needs to be toughened up so he can’t let his father know that he wonders what it would be like to polish his toes purple. Isaiah is afraid to let anyone know his inner self and this conflict continues until the end.
Dealing with grief is the main theme of the book. The characters struggle with different emotions associated with loss including sadness, denial, anger, and guilt. Isaiah is especially hurt that his other friend Drew won’t talk to him about the death of Darius. Isaiah won’t open up to anyone else either and the anger, grief, and guilt are eating him up inside. Handling death is a process and his parents give him the time and space to talk when he’s ready. Unfortunately, Isaiah’s emotions cause him to make some poor choices that cause his mother to make a life-changing decision.
What didn’t work as well:
The author may give Isaish too much to worry about as there are additional, serious subplots added to the story. The grief, doubt, self-expression issues, father’s absence, a racial incident, and Drew’s inner worries combine to complicate Isaiah’s life and give readers a myriad of topics to think about. Perhaps more than needed.
The final verdict:
Using verse to share the emotional story creatively shares the turmoil inside Isaiah’s mind. The language and slang make it relatable to young readers. Overall, it’s a sensitive story of grief and growth and I recommend you give it a shot.
First off, I’m not typically a lover of novels written in verse but the narrator’s voice uses slang and vocabulary making the words relatable and appealing for readers. The lines often sound like free verse with the words expressing the emotions and thoughts of the characters. A critical moment uses the words, “I scream… CARRR-CARRR!... Too… late.” Some of the lines read like sentences so young readers shouldn’t be intimidated or challenged to read them. Italicized phrases let readers know when characters are speaking to each other. The poetic narrative controls the pacing of the words to fully express the deep feelings and thoughts of the tragic accident and the emotional recovery.
Isaiah is the main character and his love of music is common among middle-graders, although his interest in classic rock groups is not. He has a secret collection of classic concert t-shirts with Aerosmith being his latest addition. Kids at this age sometimes have interests that might become embarrassing so Isaiah dresses up in his shirts and listens to the oldies rock songs in the safety of his closet. His friends sometimes comment that he’s a black boy trying to be white so he can’t let any of them know his secrets. Also, his dad thinks Isaiah needs to be toughened up so he can’t let his father know that he wonders what it would be like to polish his toes purple. Isaiah is afraid to let anyone know his inner self and this conflict continues until the end.
Dealing with grief is the main theme of the book. The characters struggle with different emotions associated with loss including sadness, denial, anger, and guilt. Isaiah is especially hurt that his other friend Drew won’t talk to him about the death of Darius. Isaiah won’t open up to anyone else either and the anger, grief, and guilt are eating him up inside. Handling death is a process and his parents give him the time and space to talk when he’s ready. Unfortunately, Isaiah’s emotions cause him to make some poor choices that cause his mother to make a life-changing decision.
What didn’t work as well:
The author may give Isaish too much to worry about as there are additional, serious subplots added to the story. The grief, doubt, self-expression issues, father’s absence, a racial incident, and Drew’s inner worries combine to complicate Isaiah’s life and give readers a myriad of topics to think about. Perhaps more than needed.
The final verdict:
Using verse to share the emotional story creatively shares the turmoil inside Isaiah’s mind. The language and slang make it relatable to young readers. Overall, it’s a sensitive story of grief and growth and I recommend you give it a shot.
January 20, 2024
Isaiah’s best friend Darius was fearless—always making and taking bets. When Drew joins their group, he is the same way. But Isaiah is less brave but doesn’t want to let on, so he joins them and hopes he won’t have to participate in some of the record-breaking stunts.
“Okay, so yeah, I
choked at the skate park.
Choked on top of the garage.
Choked when backflipping off a tree.
Doesn’t mean I’m going to flake this time.…
I wanna be like water. I really do.
Wanna ride down & come up laughing even if I flop.
Wanna have my boys finally give me props .
But no matter how long I stand there psyching myself—
no matter the next boy is rushing me to get going—
no matter that a bet was made—
I
can’t
do it.” (ARC 8-9)
But then during one of the stunts Darius is fatally hit by a car, and Isaiah, on lookout, feels responsible.
“Dad struggles to put words together.
I go back to covering my eyes
Knowing nothing he’ll say
Will ever make me understand ‘why.’” (ARC 47)
Isaiah decides that he and Drew need to break records to finish the work that Darius started, but Drew shuts down, and Isaiah feels he needs to hide some of himself from Drew—like collecting comics, talking to plants, vintage tee shirts, and the time he decides to paint his toenails. Drew appears to be growing away from him, spending less time, and Isaiah assumes it is him. When Drew admits that his father is not overseas in the military but in jail, and Isaiah unthinkingly asks what “he did,” the friendship appears to be over.
Isaiah’s parents send him south for 6 weeks of summer vacation between 8th and 9th grades to his aunt and uncle’s farm where his aunt and uncle give him lots of responsibility and farm work and also invaluable advice:
“’Isaiah,’ Uncle Vent continues, ‘I tell you like my daddy told me and your momma. Your shoulders might get heavy, head even drop low, but walk tall like you belong in this world, ‘cause you do. Hold yo’ head high, ‘cause it’s your birthright. You got a right to joy and peace and whatever else you want.’
I inhale his words. Words from my grandfather.
My rights. Never heard it put that way before.” (ARC 246)
There Isaiah meets new kids (and a girl he likes) who don’t judge him.
“Kiana purses her lips.
‘To be honest, I don’t care if you do or you don’t
I mean, it’s your life, ain’t it?’
Hold up, she doesn’t care? She doesn’t care?
She won’t think I’m weak…or soft…or nothing?
…I’m now thinking about what she said.
Plus, Uncle V.’s talk about my rights.
I mean, they have a point.
It is my life. Mine.” (ARC 254)
And when he returns home and faces Drew, he learns that Drew had been hiding some of himself as well, and he had not been the friend to Drew he thought he had and it as time for “real talk” on both sides.
A coming-of-age novel-in verse for those who feel the need to hide part of themselves and don’t feel that they can be brave.
“Okay, so yeah, I
choked at the skate park.
Choked on top of the garage.
Choked when backflipping off a tree.
Doesn’t mean I’m going to flake this time.…
I wanna be like water. I really do.
Wanna ride down & come up laughing even if I flop.
Wanna have my boys finally give me props .
But no matter how long I stand there psyching myself—
no matter the next boy is rushing me to get going—
no matter that a bet was made—
I
can’t
do it.” (ARC 8-9)
But then during one of the stunts Darius is fatally hit by a car, and Isaiah, on lookout, feels responsible.
“Dad struggles to put words together.
I go back to covering my eyes
Knowing nothing he’ll say
Will ever make me understand ‘why.’” (ARC 47)
Isaiah decides that he and Drew need to break records to finish the work that Darius started, but Drew shuts down, and Isaiah feels he needs to hide some of himself from Drew—like collecting comics, talking to plants, vintage tee shirts, and the time he decides to paint his toenails. Drew appears to be growing away from him, spending less time, and Isaiah assumes it is him. When Drew admits that his father is not overseas in the military but in jail, and Isaiah unthinkingly asks what “he did,” the friendship appears to be over.
Isaiah’s parents send him south for 6 weeks of summer vacation between 8th and 9th grades to his aunt and uncle’s farm where his aunt and uncle give him lots of responsibility and farm work and also invaluable advice:
“’Isaiah,’ Uncle Vent continues, ‘I tell you like my daddy told me and your momma. Your shoulders might get heavy, head even drop low, but walk tall like you belong in this world, ‘cause you do. Hold yo’ head high, ‘cause it’s your birthright. You got a right to joy and peace and whatever else you want.’
I inhale his words. Words from my grandfather.
My rights. Never heard it put that way before.” (ARC 246)
There Isaiah meets new kids (and a girl he likes) who don’t judge him.
“Kiana purses her lips.
‘To be honest, I don’t care if you do or you don’t
I mean, it’s your life, ain’t it?’
Hold up, she doesn’t care? She doesn’t care?
She won’t think I’m weak…or soft…or nothing?
…I’m now thinking about what she said.
Plus, Uncle V.’s talk about my rights.
I mean, they have a point.
It is my life. Mine.” (ARC 254)
And when he returns home and faces Drew, he learns that Drew had been hiding some of himself as well, and he had not been the friend to Drew he thought he had and it as time for “real talk” on both sides.
A coming-of-age novel-in verse for those who feel the need to hide part of themselves and don’t feel that they can be brave.
August 11, 2024
*Mid-Air* is a brand new middle-grade novel that soars between grief and joy, courage and fear, and friendship and offense—all while delivering a solid dose of "bro-speak."
**Pros:**
- This book is written in verse, and it's one you’ll want to read on paper. The spacing and word placement add layers to the experience, though the audiobook narrator absolutely nailed it—he cried, paused, and breathed life into every line.
- Isaiah, the main character, has a thing for plant similes, comparing his locs to aloe vera, "wild rubber-tree locs," and "twisty foliage." The imagery is vivid and memorable.
- There are clever symbols throughout: a necktie that threatens to strangle him during a funeral, and a beanie hat he uses to hide.
- Isaiah’s mix-ups with geographical names are pretty funny: Syria or Serbia, Benin or Belize—who can keep them straight, right?
- The author does a cool trick by ending many chapters without the last word of the sentence. Then that word becomes the title of the next chapter. It’s a neat effect.
- Themes of belonging, death, racism, love, and bullying are tackled with heart, along with the struggle to be comfortable in your skin.
**Cons:**
- If you’re listening to the audiobook, don’t speed it up past 1.2x unless you’re fluent in "bro-speak." At higher speeds, you might find yourself totally lost in a haze of slang and fast-talking teens.
The story is compelling, but it’s not a perfect fit for my 4th graders. Isaiah is 14, and there's a romance—nothing inappropriate, but kissing is involved, which might be a stretch for 9-year-olds. Plus, the book's themes and language might not resonate with the demographic of my class.
- Lastly, *******************SPOILER ALERT****************
Is it really possible for a man to be jailed for not having car insurance? Like, years in prison? That part had me scratching my head.
Overall, *Mid-Air* is a strong, emotionally loaded read with some memorable moments.
**Pros:**
- This book is written in verse, and it's one you’ll want to read on paper. The spacing and word placement add layers to the experience, though the audiobook narrator absolutely nailed it—he cried, paused, and breathed life into every line.
- Isaiah, the main character, has a thing for plant similes, comparing his locs to aloe vera, "wild rubber-tree locs," and "twisty foliage." The imagery is vivid and memorable.
- There are clever symbols throughout: a necktie that threatens to strangle him during a funeral, and a beanie hat he uses to hide.
- Isaiah’s mix-ups with geographical names are pretty funny: Syria or Serbia, Benin or Belize—who can keep them straight, right?
- The author does a cool trick by ending many chapters without the last word of the sentence. Then that word becomes the title of the next chapter. It’s a neat effect.
- Themes of belonging, death, racism, love, and bullying are tackled with heart, along with the struggle to be comfortable in your skin.
**Cons:**
- If you’re listening to the audiobook, don’t speed it up past 1.2x unless you’re fluent in "bro-speak." At higher speeds, you might find yourself totally lost in a haze of slang and fast-talking teens.
The story is compelling, but it’s not a perfect fit for my 4th graders. Isaiah is 14, and there's a romance—nothing inappropriate, but kissing is involved, which might be a stretch for 9-year-olds. Plus, the book's themes and language might not resonate with the demographic of my class.
- Lastly, *******************SPOILER ALERT****************
Is it really possible for a man to be jailed for not having car insurance? Like, years in prison? That part had me scratching my head.
Overall, *Mid-Air* is a strong, emotionally loaded read with some memorable moments.
April 23, 2024
Review from my little sister Laly (11):
Isiah, Drew, and Darius are determined to break world records, but one day, while Darius was attempting to break the record for the longest wheelie, a man approached them and started shouting at them for riding on his street. The man yelled so loud that Darius couldn't hear Isiah warning him about an approaching car. Tragically, Darius was hit and killed by the vehicle. Now, Isiah has to live with the loss of his friend while Drew is growing up and is no longer interested in their record-breaking pursuits. Isiah is also about to graduate from 8th grade and move on to high school, facing a world that has changed forever without Darius.
This novel-in-verse was incredible but left me with mixed emotions. Although the storyline was fascinating and well-crafted, it was also heart-wrenching and made me cry through the entire first part of the book.
The author's use of various illustrations throughout the book added to the overall experience and made it even more memorable.
I delved deeper into the story and wondered what would happen next. One of the main characters, Isiah, was a relatable character who always tried to fit in but had to hide half of who he was. Drew was okay, but he could have opened up a little more. The most heartbreaking part of the book was when Darius died. He seemed like such a fantastic person, and I was distraught by his passing.
Despite the sadness, every part of the story was terrific, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good and emotional read.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you to the publisher for sharing this terrific book with me, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Isiah, Drew, and Darius are determined to break world records, but one day, while Darius was attempting to break the record for the longest wheelie, a man approached them and started shouting at them for riding on his street. The man yelled so loud that Darius couldn't hear Isiah warning him about an approaching car. Tragically, Darius was hit and killed by the vehicle. Now, Isiah has to live with the loss of his friend while Drew is growing up and is no longer interested in their record-breaking pursuits. Isiah is also about to graduate from 8th grade and move on to high school, facing a world that has changed forever without Darius.
This novel-in-verse was incredible but left me with mixed emotions. Although the storyline was fascinating and well-crafted, it was also heart-wrenching and made me cry through the entire first part of the book.
The author's use of various illustrations throughout the book added to the overall experience and made it even more memorable.
I delved deeper into the story and wondered what would happen next. One of the main characters, Isiah, was a relatable character who always tried to fit in but had to hide half of who he was. Drew was okay, but he could have opened up a little more. The most heartbreaking part of the book was when Darius died. He seemed like such a fantastic person, and I was distraught by his passing.
Despite the sadness, every part of the story was terrific, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good and emotional read.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you to the publisher for sharing this terrific book with me, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 8, 2024
Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff (2024) is a novel in verse for 10- to-14-year-olds.
The School Library Review calls it “A quietly stunning novel in verse about grief and learning to accept yourself. Recommended for all middle grade collections.”
We all lose friends. Even middle schoolers.
TeensHealth suggests that teens grieving may affect how they “feel, think, and how their body feels, while also triggering big questions for the teen to ponder. They also suggest that sudden accidental death adds to the complexity of grief.”
Isaiah, Darius, and Drew are Black eighth graders and very good buds who are tight. Darius is hit by a car and dies while the three of them were together skateboarding.
Through the gifted writing of Williams, we see this event through Isaiah’s eyes. Isaiah considered Darius to be his best friend. We also learn about the differences both Drew and Isaiah go through as they each process this tragedy. They react, grieve, and grow into the next steps of their lives in different ways.
Through Williams’ appropriately beautiful verse, rigorous focus on evocative word choice, and her sensitivity to her audience – she adeptly and honestly presents fully developed characters with realistic lives. Thus, with this story she is exploring grieving and confronting issues like risk taking, the of evolution of friendship, the dimensions of family secrets, absent fathers, shame, hurt, prejudice, happiness, the fact that their transition to high school is upon them, fear, new beginnings, new friendships, the deepening of self-awareness and being willing to confidently share your ever-developing realistic self with others.
I recommend this book.
The School Library Review calls it “A quietly stunning novel in verse about grief and learning to accept yourself. Recommended for all middle grade collections.”
We all lose friends. Even middle schoolers.
TeensHealth suggests that teens grieving may affect how they “feel, think, and how their body feels, while also triggering big questions for the teen to ponder. They also suggest that sudden accidental death adds to the complexity of grief.”
Isaiah, Darius, and Drew are Black eighth graders and very good buds who are tight. Darius is hit by a car and dies while the three of them were together skateboarding.
Through the gifted writing of Williams, we see this event through Isaiah’s eyes. Isaiah considered Darius to be his best friend. We also learn about the differences both Drew and Isaiah go through as they each process this tragedy. They react, grieve, and grow into the next steps of their lives in different ways.
Through Williams’ appropriately beautiful verse, rigorous focus on evocative word choice, and her sensitivity to her audience – she adeptly and honestly presents fully developed characters with realistic lives. Thus, with this story she is exploring grieving and confronting issues like risk taking, the of evolution of friendship, the dimensions of family secrets, absent fathers, shame, hurt, prejudice, happiness, the fact that their transition to high school is upon them, fear, new beginnings, new friendships, the deepening of self-awareness and being willing to confidently share your ever-developing realistic self with others.
I recommend this book.
April 14, 2024
Alicia D Williams (Genesis Begins Again) gives middle grade and YA readers an NIV that will grip them from the beginning and hold them until the very end.
Isaiah and Darius have been inseparable friends for years and in the 7th grade, they are joined by Drew, a trio that lives for challenges, especially the kind that might land them in Guiness’ book of world records. But Isaiah often holds back, can’t seem to follow through. Then a car accident takes Darius’ life and guilt and anger over the senseless death threaten to send Isaiah over the edge and his parents decide that finishing the summer before high school with his aunt and uncle in a more rural setting, far away from his grief and growing anger.
Told in NIV format, readers will feel the depth of Isaiah’s friendship with Darius and his conflicted emotions after his passing. Williams’ includes the very different ways that Isaiah and Drew try to process their feelings-one stuffing it down and not talking and one yearning to share memories. She also builds on Isaiah’s fear of challenges and profound sense of loss and adds in his insecurities over letting anyone really know him.
Powerful book that not only illustrates deeply felt emotions but touches on people’s ignorance and prejudice as well without ever seeming “preachy” or too heavy-handed. There is one use of the curse word “hell,” no sexual content and the violence is limited to recounting a physical attack but without any unnecessary details. Highly recommended for libraries serving students grade 5 and up into high school.
Thanks for the print arc, Atheneum Books/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Isaiah and Darius have been inseparable friends for years and in the 7th grade, they are joined by Drew, a trio that lives for challenges, especially the kind that might land them in Guiness’ book of world records. But Isaiah often holds back, can’t seem to follow through. Then a car accident takes Darius’ life and guilt and anger over the senseless death threaten to send Isaiah over the edge and his parents decide that finishing the summer before high school with his aunt and uncle in a more rural setting, far away from his grief and growing anger.
Told in NIV format, readers will feel the depth of Isaiah’s friendship with Darius and his conflicted emotions after his passing. Williams’ includes the very different ways that Isaiah and Drew try to process their feelings-one stuffing it down and not talking and one yearning to share memories. She also builds on Isaiah’s fear of challenges and profound sense of loss and adds in his insecurities over letting anyone really know him.
Powerful book that not only illustrates deeply felt emotions but touches on people’s ignorance and prejudice as well without ever seeming “preachy” or too heavy-handed. There is one use of the curse word “hell,” no sexual content and the violence is limited to recounting a physical attack but without any unnecessary details. Highly recommended for libraries serving students grade 5 and up into high school.
Thanks for the print arc, Atheneum Books/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
July 6, 2024
Phenomenally unfolded in the mind of a pre-teen/teen boy similar to the beautiful Ultraviolet. More books like these please. It's a cross-section of a life. Boys are entitled to a bit of romance, if they want. They're entitled to paint a few toenails or fingernails or love classic rock band tshirts or not go down a massively large hill on a dare.
Williams' story of Isaiah who ends up spending a summer with his aunt and uncle down south to heal from the wounds of the previous school year that include the death of his friend, Darius, in the street. Isaiah feels a certain way about it and also how his other friend, Drew, and he are interacting with Darius there including understanding one another but also trying to accomplish Guinness Book of World Records records like eating hamburgers or flying paper airplanes. Drew is different. After a fight that Isaiah doesn't want to talk about, his parents decide to send him to his aunt and uncles where the healing balm of the outdoors, gardening, new friends who don't know his history, and a relaxed atmosphere where his uncle listens and his aunt feeds him amazing food all provide an electric surge to refuel him for his first year of high school back home. That includes meeting Kiana who encourages him to be exactly who he wants to be.
The verse is spot on. The internal dialogue of Isaiah's world is insightful and reflective.
Williams' story of Isaiah who ends up spending a summer with his aunt and uncle down south to heal from the wounds of the previous school year that include the death of his friend, Darius, in the street. Isaiah feels a certain way about it and also how his other friend, Drew, and he are interacting with Darius there including understanding one another but also trying to accomplish Guinness Book of World Records records like eating hamburgers or flying paper airplanes. Drew is different. After a fight that Isaiah doesn't want to talk about, his parents decide to send him to his aunt and uncles where the healing balm of the outdoors, gardening, new friends who don't know his history, and a relaxed atmosphere where his uncle listens and his aunt feeds him amazing food all provide an electric surge to refuel him for his first year of high school back home. That includes meeting Kiana who encourages him to be exactly who he wants to be.
The verse is spot on. The internal dialogue of Isaiah's world is insightful and reflective.
August 5, 2024
Isaiah is lost. He is just a little different - collecting vintage band t-shirts, re-potting plants for his mom, taking photos with his beloved camera, talking about comics, and not really wanting to take on "Mount Kilimanjaro" on his bike with his friends, Darius and Drew. He definitely doesn't fit in after the accident.
As Drew draws away from Isaiah, the "uncool" preteen doesn't know what to do. What DID he do? He didn't cause the accident, did he? As life gets more and more complicated, Isaiah examines his feelings deeply, to the dismay of friends and maybe even Dad. "Can't be acting like li'l kids now." Isaiah is about ready to lose it...for real! Why won't Drew talk? What else could possibly be going on?
Isaiah's mom sees that he needs a change and sends him to visit Uncle Vent and Aunt Terri (who don't have children of their own). As Isaiah meets new people, he realizes that he can show his true self, and maybe even start to enjoy life again. And maybe he IS cool enough.
Is it possible to be brave in actions AND spirit? How can you be brave while being true to yourself? And can you still take care of others in the process?
Alicia D. Williams writes this novel in verse in the voice of Isaiah, and it's a breath of fresh air. Boys have feelings, too. They aren't always tough and strong. Sometimes it's better to be soulful and vulnerable. Sometimes, children can be all of the above!
Highly recommend this middle grade book -- I can see this as the first read-aloud in classrooms this fall. 4 Stars!
As Drew draws away from Isaiah, the "uncool" preteen doesn't know what to do. What DID he do? He didn't cause the accident, did he? As life gets more and more complicated, Isaiah examines his feelings deeply, to the dismay of friends and maybe even Dad. "Can't be acting like li'l kids now." Isaiah is about ready to lose it...for real! Why won't Drew talk? What else could possibly be going on?
Isaiah's mom sees that he needs a change and sends him to visit Uncle Vent and Aunt Terri (who don't have children of their own). As Isaiah meets new people, he realizes that he can show his true self, and maybe even start to enjoy life again. And maybe he IS cool enough.
Is it possible to be brave in actions AND spirit? How can you be brave while being true to yourself? And can you still take care of others in the process?
Alicia D. Williams writes this novel in verse in the voice of Isaiah, and it's a breath of fresh air. Boys have feelings, too. They aren't always tough and strong. Sometimes it's better to be soulful and vulnerable. Sometimes, children can be all of the above!
Highly recommend this middle grade book -- I can see this as the first read-aloud in classrooms this fall. 4 Stars!
April 10, 2024
Alicia D. Williams is the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again and I’m proud to say, a North Carolina author. Mid-Air is a middle grade novel in verse of a vulnerable teen struggling with the tragic death of his best friend. He’s supposed to be “tough” but he’s grieving.
It’s nearly the end of eighth grade, and Isaiah is feeling lost. He was looking forward to summer vacation with his boys Drew and Darius. They’d hang out, do wheelies, watch martial arts movies, with the ultimate goal to break Guinness World Records before beginning high school. All that changed when Darius was killed.
The friends were in the middle of record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch… he should have yelled CAR! Even though there is no one to blame but the hit and run driver, Isaiah, is plagued with ache and guilt. Even so, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together. They will spend the summer breaking records, to honor Darius.
But nothing is the same since Darius was killed, and friendships are strained. Isaiah wishes he could be less sensitive, and more tough. After all that’s what’s expected of a boy his age right?
This is a beautiful portrayal of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of inequality. I feel young teens will relate to the heartbreak of friendship, self discovery, and finding love in life’s tough moments.
I highly recommend!
It’s nearly the end of eighth grade, and Isaiah is feeling lost. He was looking forward to summer vacation with his boys Drew and Darius. They’d hang out, do wheelies, watch martial arts movies, with the ultimate goal to break Guinness World Records before beginning high school. All that changed when Darius was killed.
The friends were in the middle of record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch… he should have yelled CAR! Even though there is no one to blame but the hit and run driver, Isaiah, is plagued with ache and guilt. Even so, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together. They will spend the summer breaking records, to honor Darius.
But nothing is the same since Darius was killed, and friendships are strained. Isaiah wishes he could be less sensitive, and more tough. After all that’s what’s expected of a boy his age right?
This is a beautiful portrayal of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of inequality. I feel young teens will relate to the heartbreak of friendship, self discovery, and finding love in life’s tough moments.
I highly recommend!
May 2, 2024
Novel in verse. Isaiah feels as though there are a lot of things about himself he has to hide. His love for classic rock (instead of rap), enjoying helping his mother with plants, maybe wanting to paint his nails, and how he usually chokes when it comes to the more dangerous stunts his friends want to do. But it's ok, because he's got his boys, Drew and Darius, and they are unstoppable together. They're going to spend their summer breaking world records and watching martial arts movies--until a tragic accident takes Darius, and Isaiah and Drew were there. They try to keep things going, but they've both changed, and Drew isn't satisfied with just Isaiah anymore. Isaiah already feels as though he's drowning, but then something else happens--to him--and he can't cope anymore. How can he move on and figure out how to be completely himself, when the world doesn't want that self?
This was sad, but really good. The poems paint such a clear picture of the boys' friendship, how Isaiah feels about everything, the world around them, and everything that happens. I liked that Isaiah's parents weren't perfect, but they tried. I liked that Isaiah was not only blindsided by the things that happened, but he also had blinders on about how his life differed from Drew's more difficult situation. I liked how going away for a while really helped. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
This was sad, but really good. The poems paint such a clear picture of the boys' friendship, how Isaiah feels about everything, the world around them, and everything that happens. I liked that Isaiah's parents weren't perfect, but they tried. I liked that Isaiah was not only blindsided by the things that happened, but he also had blinders on about how his life differed from Drew's more difficult situation. I liked how going away for a while really helped. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
September 19, 2024
Isiah, Darius, and Drew are the best friends. They skateboard and boke, play Four Square, and are set on mastering a world record to get into the Guiness book. Things change, however, when during one of their tries to beat the record for the longest wheelie, Darius is hit by a car and dies. This death hits Isiah and Drew hard, causing a rift between them as Isiah is more willing to talk about the grief than Drew. This makes getting through the rest of school and looming of starting high school more difficult so Isiah is sent to stay with Uncle and Aunt on their farm for the summer. He doesn't want to go, but when getting there his is able to embrace his love of plants (which he works on with his mom), be braver about embracing himself with wearing his vintage rock t-shirts, and making new friends and getting a first kiss. It also allows him to come to terms with his grief and guilt over the loss of Darius, and to embrace who he really is. This novel-in-verse in Isiah's persepctive is heartfelt and filled with the emotions that Isiah, and Drew, are dealing with in the loss of their best friend, missing fathers, and changes in themselves. A wonderful read from a young male teens POV and how males deal with their grief within themselves and with others.
Read
July 12, 2024Isaiah, Drew, and Darius are inseparable. They hang together and they stunt together. They are always betting to see who wins. They are convinced they will beat every Guiness Book record there is.
When tragedy strikes, Isaiah and Drew are left to carry on. Isaiah needs someone to grieve with, but he and Drew are handling things differently. Isaiah can't seem to open up to anyone which frustrates his concerned parents. They decide to send him to his aunt and uncle's farm for the summer.
The change of scenery and the physical labor help Isaiah begin to cope with his loss. Meeting new friends and accepting new challenges gives him the courage to share his feelings. By the end of the summer, he understands himself better and appreciates what a summer away has given him.
Author Alicia D. Williams uses verse to take readers on a journey of ups and downs and love and loss. Written in verse, MID-AIR is fast paced, filled with crazy stunts, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.
When tragedy strikes, Isaiah and Drew are left to carry on. Isaiah needs someone to grieve with, but he and Drew are handling things differently. Isaiah can't seem to open up to anyone which frustrates his concerned parents. They decide to send him to his aunt and uncle's farm for the summer.
The change of scenery and the physical labor help Isaiah begin to cope with his loss. Meeting new friends and accepting new challenges gives him the courage to share his feelings. By the end of the summer, he understands himself better and appreciates what a summer away has given him.
Author Alicia D. Williams uses verse to take readers on a journey of ups and downs and love and loss. Written in verse, MID-AIR is fast paced, filled with crazy stunts, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.
March 21, 2024
The summer before high school… Isaiah is going through it… he just lost one of his best friends and his other one has gone silent… with what seems to be to much to handle his mom tells him he will be staying the summer with his Aunt and Uncle… where he makes new friends and takes up new hobbies, works through his emotions and becomes comfortable with sharing who he is.
I loved the structure of this novel in verse. I felt right alongside of Isaiah on his emotional journey. The author tackles difficult topics but makes it comforting and relatable to the reader. I loved Uncle Vent and Aunt Terri… I would love for another book where Isaiah revisits them for the next summer!
🫶🏼
Friendship origins
Plant life
Vintage rock band tees
World Records
Grieving a friend
Summer spent in the country
Adults I want to hug
Purple/black nail polish
Thank you Simon Kids 📖
Releases 4/23
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
I loved the structure of this novel in verse. I felt right alongside of Isaiah on his emotional journey. The author tackles difficult topics but makes it comforting and relatable to the reader. I loved Uncle Vent and Aunt Terri… I would love for another book where Isaiah revisits them for the next summer!
🫶🏼
Friendship origins
Plant life
Vintage rock band tees
World Records
Grieving a friend
Summer spent in the country
Adults I want to hug
Purple/black nail polish
Thank you Simon Kids 📖
Releases 4/23
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
April 6, 2024
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this one. Books in verse seem to be love or hate for me. This one had a strong storyline and great illustrations I think kids would enjoy. It was a strong story about a boy’s journey to find himself and come into his own while he tries to redefine a friendship of three minus one. It was funny and sweet and sad all at the same time. I am surprised I’ve never heard of this author before and plan to grab her other novel asap as I enjoyed her style, character development, and storyline in this one. I recommend this book for all ages and can’t wait to share Isaiah’s story with my students as they love novels in verse, and I enjoy putting diverse books with positive messages and outcomes in their hands. Though the overall story is sad, there’s strength in these characters and families and friendships that’s worth the read.
April 7, 2024
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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The novel-in-verse genre at its finest. I absolutely loved this book. Well-written with engaging characters, powerful themes, and a wonderful story.
Includes themes of friends growing apart, loss, grief, guilt, racism, crushes, masculinity, family, and societal expectations. There was so much packed into this book without coming across as rushed or overwhelming. Perfectly paced.
Black-and-white illustrations help break up the text and pair perfectly with the narration.
An absolutely fantastic read about identity, friendship, and having the strength to be fully yourself.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The novel-in-verse genre at its finest. I absolutely loved this book. Well-written with engaging characters, powerful themes, and a wonderful story.
Includes themes of friends growing apart, loss, grief, guilt, racism, crushes, masculinity, family, and societal expectations. There was so much packed into this book without coming across as rushed or overwhelming. Perfectly paced.
Black-and-white illustrations help break up the text and pair perfectly with the narration.
An absolutely fantastic read about identity, friendship, and having the strength to be fully yourself.
May 7, 2024
Full disclosure - I have been a huge fan of Alicia D. Williams since before she was a published author.
However, that doesn't take away from how amazing this book is. Its a gorgeous novel in verse about how its okay to have feelings. Its okay to like things that not every one likes. Its okay to be yourself. Yourself sis the best person you can be.
Isiah's having to deal with grief is an important story for people to read. It reminded me, a woman in my 40s, that its okay to have feelings and process them in my own time and space. That my love of horror novels (that not everyone shares) is perfectly fine, even if other people don't get it. This is not just a story that middle graders need to read.
However, that doesn't take away from how amazing this book is. Its a gorgeous novel in verse about how its okay to have feelings. Its okay to like things that not every one likes. Its okay to be yourself. Yourself sis the best person you can be.
Isiah's having to deal with grief is an important story for people to read. It reminded me, a woman in my 40s, that its okay to have feelings and process them in my own time and space. That my love of horror novels (that not everyone shares) is perfectly fine, even if other people don't get it. This is not just a story that middle graders need to read.
July 16, 2024
This is a time when I wish Goodreads allowed 1/2 stars because I'd give MidAir a solid 3.5 for sure.
It was a slow start- the novel in verse didn't flow for me at the beginning and the story up to the book's major tragedy was sort of slow burning. Things turned around when Isaiah took a summer journey that ended up helping him to grow and realize who he was and could be as a teen. He for sure was my favorite character because of his honesty and his strong relationship with his mother. I also really like Grady and Kiana and would love to see a whole book just on them and their lives.
I can think of a few students in my class who will enjoy this book so I'll recommend my school LMS purchase it for our library!
It was a slow start- the novel in verse didn't flow for me at the beginning and the story up to the book's major tragedy was sort of slow burning. Things turned around when Isaiah took a summer journey that ended up helping him to grow and realize who he was and could be as a teen. He for sure was my favorite character because of his honesty and his strong relationship with his mother. I also really like Grady and Kiana and would love to see a whole book just on them and their lives.
I can think of a few students in my class who will enjoy this book so I'll recommend my school LMS purchase it for our library!
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