Chlorine Sky by Browne, Mahogany L.

"An absolute masterpiece." -Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X

From the first ever poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center comes a bold coming-of-age story told in verse about a young woman who loses a best friend, but finds herself in the process. The joys of basketball, the tumult of high school, and the bonds of family are lyrically woven together in this must-read novel.

With Lay Li I don't have to think too hard
I'm the friend of the star
& I don't mind, not at all
It gives me time to think about my dreams & the WNBA
But when I call Lay Li & she don't pick up
A pit in my stomach grows like a redwood tree

Sky is used to standing in the shadow of her best friend. Lay Li is the sun everyone orbits around. But since high school started, Lay Li has begun attracting the attention of boys, and Sky is left out in the cold. The only place Sky can find her footing is on the basketball court. With each dribble of the ball, Sky begins to find her own rhythm. Lay Li may always be the sun, but that doesn't mean Sky can't shine on her own.

With gritty and heartbreaking honesty, a critically acclaimed poet, delivers her first novel in verse about broken promises, fast rumors, and learning to generate your own light.

"A story about heart and backbone, and one only Mahogany L. Browne could bring forth." -Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down

Author: Mahogany L. Browne
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Published: 01/12/2021
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780593176399
Age Range: 14-17

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.5
Point Value: 3
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 514722 / Chlorine Sky


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 11/01/2020 pg. 63
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2020
Publishers Weekly 11/16/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2021 - Book Of Special Distinction

About the Author
Mahogany L. Browne is a California-born, Brooklyn-based writer, educator, activist, mentor, and curator. She has published several books of poetry, and she is an Urban Word NYC Artistic Director (as seen on HBO's Brave New Voices), founder of Women Writers of Color Reading Room, and Director of BLM@Pratt Programming, and facilitates performance poetry and writing workshops throughout the country.

Mahogany's poetry picture books include Black Girl Magic and Woke Baby.